Families who loved Always a Catch by Peter Richmond often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your teenager is struggling to balance their unique talents with the intense pressure to conform to a hyper-masculine or toxic group culture. Set at a prestigious boarding school, the story follows Jack, a gifted pianist who joins the football team only to find himself entangled in a world of hazing and performance enhancing substances. It is a nuanced exploration of the ethical dilemmas young athletes face when 'team loyalty' is used to justify dangerous behavior. This realistic novel is ideal for parents of high schoolers who need to see a protagonist navigate the difficult path of reclaiming their integrity. It provides a mirror for the subtle ways sports culture can sometimes demand the sacrifice of one's true identity.