by Tim Green
First published 2016
Landon Dorch towers over his seventh grade classmates at his new school. He sees his height and size as his ticket to belonging somewhere he has never fit before. Landon is deaf and wears cochlear implants to hear. His speech sounds different from other kids. These differences have always set him apart. Now he wants to use his physical advantages to make the football team. The same communication barriers that have isolated him throughout his life follow him onto the field. Teammates and coaches struggle to understand him. Bullies target him for being different. When it seems like football will reject him too, someone unexpected offers friendship and support. But Landon must ultimately prove himself on his own terms. He battles not just for a spot on the roster but for acceptance and respect from those determined to keep him on the sidelines.
Genres: family-life, adolescence, sports, disability
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
352 pages · Hardcover · HarperCollins
Content warnings: ableism