Bunt!: Striking Out on Financial Aid

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the high stakes of college admissions, financial anxiety, or the feeling that their future is being derailed by systems beyond their control. This graphic novel follows Molly Bauer, an art student who loses her financial aid and must assemble a ragtag baseball team to secure an athletic scholarship. It is a vibrant exploration of resourcefulness and queer identity that highlights how community can be found in the most unexpected places. Parents will appreciate how the story addresses the intersection of class and education through a lens of humor and grit. The digital illustrations bring a modern energy to the classic underdog sports trope, making it highly relatable for high schoolers. It is an excellent choice for fostering resilience and showing that there are many paths to success, even when the first door slams shut.