For readers who love emotional coming-of-age stories, underdog sports drama, and fierce teen girls fighting for their future.
Shelby has spent her life moving from place to place in her mom's classic Mustang, always one eviction away from starting over. But when they run out of gas in Michigan, Shelby finally gets a taste of something she's never had: stability. She joins a gymnastics team, starts making friends, and falls in love with a routine of regularity.
Then her mom disappears—again—and Shelby is placed in foster care with her coach and his wife. These days, her biggest trouble is fighting for her spot in the line-up. But when her mom suddenly reappears, Shelby must confront the fact that she's just a passenger in her own life, and that perhaps it's time to take the wheel.
Perfect for fans of realistic YA fiction, foster care stories, sports novels for teens, and books for teen girls 14-18.
Includes expert back matter from NFL player Alec Ingold and a collegiate sports psychologist.
Once upon a time, Amanda Zieba was an avid gymnast. Today, she's a writer, educator, and content creator. A former teacher turned full-time authorpreneur, Amanda is the founder of The Word Nerd Collaborative, a membership that supports middle school ELA teachers with engaging resources and classroom strategies. She also shares literacy tips, reading recommendations, and bookish fun on her YouTube channel, Learning with the Word Nerd. Amanda lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two sons. When she's not writing fiction or curriculum, you'll find her reading in the bleachers, cheering on her family as they compete and coach, or dreaming up her next big idea over a caramel latte. Learn more and connect at www.amandazieba.com.
