Attempting Connection

Reach for this book when your middle-grader is struggling to navigate the social cliques of a new school or feels like they can only be their true, confident self behind a screen. While the story centers on the formation of a competitive e-sports team, it serves as a deeply empathetic mirror for children dealing with loneliness, the recent loss of a grandparent, or the anxiety of entering junior high. It provides a bridge for parents to discuss how digital spaces can foster real-world connections and emotional resilience. The narrative follows Chell Park, a quiet student who finds her voice and a found family through gaming. As she and three other outsiders unite to form a team, the book explores how shared goals can help kids overcome personal grief and social barriers. It is a warm, realistic, and highly engaging choice for the 8 to 12 age group, especially for those who feel more 'at home' in virtual worlds than in school hallways.