Matt Christopher captures the physical rush of volleyball through high stakes game sequences and Jamie's honest, stinging resentment toward her new stepsister. The prose moves quickly between tense family dinners and fast paced court action. Books in this family share competitive sports themes, raw sibling rivalries, and protagonists who struggle to prove their worth against talented newcomers.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to navigate the complex emotions of a blending family or feels like their personal 'turf' is being invaded by a high-achieving newcomer. It provides a safe space to explore the messy, uncomfortable reality of jealousy without judgment. Through the lens of competitive sports, the story validates a child's right to feel frustrated while gently guiding them toward acceptance and team spirit. Jane is a thirteen-year-old whose world is upended when her widower father remarries. While she tries to be welcoming, her new stepsister Michaela doesn't just join the family: she joins Jane's volleyball team and quickly becomes the star. This realistic middle-grade novel captures the specific sting of being overshadowed both at home and on the court. It is an excellent choice for parents looking to normalize sibling rivalry and help their children develop healthy coping mechanisms for life's big transitions.
