Plunked

Reach for this book when your child has experienced a physical injury or a public failure that has left them hesitant to get back in the game. It is a perfect choice for the young athlete who is struggling with the invisible mental hurdles that follow a physical setback. The story follows Jack, a talented sixth-grade baseball player whose confidence evaporates after being hit in the face by a pitch. Beyond the sports action, the book explores the internal experience of anxiety and the pressure to appear 'tough' even when you are scared. It is highly appropriate for middle-grade readers (ages 8-12) and serves as an excellent tool for normalizing fear and modeling how to rebuild confidence one small step at a time.