Winning

Reach for this book when your child is facing a moral crossroads involving peer pressure, sportsmanship, or a 'win at all costs' environment. It is particularly helpful for middle schoolers who are beginning to navigate complex social hierarchies where the line between loyalty to a teammate and personal integrity starts to blur. Vicky is thrilled to make the eighth-grade tennis team, but her excitement fades when she realizes her talented doubles partner, Brenda, is willing to cheat to secure a victory. The story explores the heavy weight of being an accomplice to dishonesty and the courage required to stand up for fairness, even when it means risking a friendship or a spot on the team. It is a grounded, realistic look at the social pressures of junior high and the importance of defining one's own ethical boundaries.