Playing the Cards You're Dealt

Varian Johnson, a Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author, delivers a heartfelt and hopeful story about ten-year-old Anthony Joplin. Ant is determined to win the family spades tournament, a tradition for all Joplin men, but his plans are upended when he partners with the smart and tough new girl, Shirley. As Ant grapples with his father's expectations and his evolving friendship, he stumbles upon a profound family secret. This book deftly explores themes of toxic masculinity, family legacy, identity, and the importance of honesty, offering a nuanced look at what it truly means to be a man and a good friend. It's ideal for middle-grade readers aged 8-12.

"With a deft hand, Johnson shows us there's no such thing as too young when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family." -Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritence Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man. SECRETS ARE ALWAYS A GAMBLE Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means he's finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. So while Ant's friends are stressing about fifth grade homework and girls, Ant only has one thing on his mind: how he'll measure up to his father's expectations at the card table. Then Ant's best friend gets grounded, and he's forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isn't exactly who he has in mind. She talks a whole lot of trash -- way more than his old partner. Plus, he's not sure that his father wants him playing with a girl. But she's smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley -- and keep his plans a secret. Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart...