The Aurora County All-Stars

Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the transition from being a 'big fish' in a small pond to facing real-world pressures, or when they are processing the loss of an elderly mentor. House Jackson, the twelve-year-old star of his small-town baseball team, is sidelined by a broken leg and a heavy heart following the death of an eccentric neighbor. The story captures the complex feelings of guilt, the weight of expectations, and the beauty of small-town connections. It is a gentle yet profound exploration of community, grief, and finding one's identity beyond a jersey number. Ideal for children aged 8 to 12, it provides a safe space to talk about the messy, non-linear path of growing up and moving on.