Reach for this book when your child is struggling to balance their own interests with the expectations you or others have placed on them. After moving to a new town, Adam feels the pressure to maintain his status as an elite hockey player because it is his father's dream, even though his heart has shifted toward soccer. It is a relatable story for middle-grade readers navigating the complex intersection of family loyalty and personal identity. Through Adam's journey, the book explores themes of belonging in a new environment and the courage required to have honest, difficult conversations with parents. It serves as an excellent tool for families to discuss how passions evolve and why it is important for children to advocate for their own happiness while maintaining a strong bond with their parents.
The book deals primarily with the pressure of parental expectations. The approach is direct and secular. The resolution is realistic: it doesn't offer a magical fix where everyone is immediately happy, but it provides a hopeful framework for honest communication and mutual respect.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewA 10-year-old athlete who feels 'burnt out' or a child who has recently moved and feels they must maintain a certain persona to please their family. It is perfect for kids who are beginning to realize their interests differ from those of their parents.
Parents should be prepared for the depiction of a father who is quite demanding. It is worth previewing the scenes where Adam actively hides his soccer participation to discuss the difference between privacy and deceptive secrecy. A parent might reach for this after hearing their child say, 'I only do this because you want me to,' or noticing their child seems anxious and unenthusiastic about a previously loved hobby.
Younger readers (age 9) will focus on the excitement of the sports matches and the fear of getting in trouble. Older readers (age 11-12) will better grasp the nuance of Adam's identity crisis and the difficulty of renegotiating a parent-child relationship.
Unlike many sports books that focus solely on 'winning the big game,' Breakaway focuses on the psychological cost of playing the wrong game for the wrong reasons.
Adam moves to a new town where he is expected to continue his trajectory as a high-level ice hockey player, a path heavily encouraged by his father. However, Adam discovers a passion for soccer and finds himself leading a double life to satisfy both his own desires and his father's rigid expectations. The story follows his internal struggle and the eventual climax where he must choose between the two sports and face his father's reaction.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.