by Greg Stier
First published 2021
Greg, a shy high school senior, spends his days working at his family's diner and dreaming of escaping his dead-end town. When a legendary boxing coach takes notice of Greg's raw talent, he offers the young man a chance to train and compete in the national Golden Gloves tournament. Pushed to his physical and emotional limits, Greg must confront his own self-doubt and a powerful local rival to pursue his unlikely boxing dreams. In the final bout, Greg summons the courage to step into the ring and become the champion he never thought he could be.
Genres: coming-of-age, contemporary, sports, action
Vibes: emotional, fast-paced, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, unlikely-hero
Setting: United States
Period: 21st Century
Tyndale House Publishers