S.O.R. Losers

Reach for this book when your child feels overwhelmed by the pressure to fit a certain mold or excel in an activity they simply do not enjoy. While many middle grade stories focus on the underdog winning the big game through grit and determination, S.O.R. Losers takes a refreshingly different path. It follows a group of non-athletic seventh graders who are forced to form a soccer team at a sports-crazed school. Instead of a miracle victory, the story focuses on the boys' right to be themselves and their refusal to let others define their self-worth based on a scoreboard. It is an excellent choice for children aged 8 to 12 who are navigating peer pressure or parental expectations. This humorous, fast-paced novel provides a safe space to discuss the importance of personal identity and the idea that it is perfectly okay not to be good at everything.