
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the intense pressure of school competitions or the frustration of not being the best at everything. It provides a relatable mirror for the high-achieving child who feels that their worth is tied to winning ribbons and trophies. Karen Brewer is excited for her school Field Day, but things do not go exactly as planned, leading to feelings of jealousy and a struggle to maintain a positive attitude. Written for the early elementary audience, the story gently explores how to handle disappointment and celebrate others even when you feel like you have lost. It is an excellent tool for parents who want to normalize the 'sore loser' phase while modeling how to pivot toward resilience. Through Karen's eyes, children see that while winning is fun, the real accomplishment is participation and sportsmanship.





















Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals with everyday childhood social-emotional challenges. It touches on blended family dynamics (as is standard for the series), but the focus remains on school competition. The approach is direct and secular, with a hopeful and realistic resolution.
An active second or third grader who is beginning to participate in organized sports and struggles with the 'all or nothing' mentality of winning versus losing.
No specific scenes require previewing. It can be read cold, though parents might want to be ready to discuss times they themselves didn't win first place to build empathy. A parent might see their child throw a tantrum after losing a board game, or hear their child say they 'hate' a sport just because they aren't the fastest in the class.
Younger readers (ages 6-7) will focus on the excitement of the races and Karen's feelings of unfairness. Older readers (ages 8-9) will better grasp the nuance of her internal struggle with jealousy and the importance of supporting her friends.
Unlike many sports books that focus on the 'big win' at the end, this book focuses on the 'big loss' and how to maintain your identity and friendships when you aren't the star athlete.
Karen Brewer is thrilled for her school's Field Day. She is competitive by nature and has high expectations for her performance in various track and field events. However, as the day progresses, Karen finds herself losing races she expected to win. The story follows her emotional journey from excitement to frustration and jealousy, and finally to a place of acceptance and sportsmanship as she learns to appreciate the effort regardless of the outcome.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.