Fighting for Dontae

Reach for this book when your middle schooler is navigating the intense pressure to fit in with a tough crowd or when they are struggling to reconcile their public persona with their private values. It is a powerful choice for families discussing the weight of peer influence and the bravery required to show compassion in environments where vulnerability is seen as a weakness. Javier is a seventh grader caught between the demands of his gang-affiliated peers and his unexpected bond with Dontae, a boy with severe disabilities. As Javier moves from resentment to genuine friendship, the story explores themes of empathy, integrity, and the high cost of standing alone. It is a realistic, gritty, yet ultimately hopeful look at how one positive connection can change the trajectory of a young life. Best suited for ages 12 and up due to its honest depiction of gang culture and social consequences.