One Last Shot

Reach for this book when you notice your child shrinking under the pressure of your own or others high expectations, particularly in sports or academics. It is a lifeline for the perfectionist who feels they are only as valuable as their latest achievement. The story follows Malcolm, a boy with a natural gift for golf who struggles with a father who views success through a very narrow lens of trophies and statistics. It is a deeply relatable look at the anxiety of performance and the quiet courage it takes to define success on one's own terms. While the setting is the golf course, the emotional core is the complex bond between a father and son. Malcolm's journey explores the difference between being good at something and actually loving it, making it an essential read for middle-grade children navigating identity and self-worth. It offers a gentle but firm reminder that a child's value is inherent, not earned through scorecards. Parents will appreciate the way it models honest communication and the messy process of repairing family dynamics.