Golden believes if he can be perfect at anything if he practices 10,000 times. That's how he's going to become a soccer superstar like his hero Lionel Messi. Soccer is important to the whole family. His dad used to be a professional player, and now his dad coaches the high school team where his sister plays, and his mom coaches Golden's middle school team. Golden really wants to be team captain, so he's working on becoming a better player and trying to think like a captain.
There is one thing in his way. His dad was diagnosed with ALS, and things are getting worse. It seems like every day he loses more control over his muscles. This puts a strain on everyone in the family, but while Golden's mother and older sister are trying to accept the changes, Golden is convinced his father can beat the disease if he just tries hard enough.
In his desire to work hard and be the best, Golden is losing sight of his relationships and the pain of the people around him.
I really like this book! Golden is a very realistic middle schooler in his single-mindedness and the way he ignores the needs of everyone around him. He was pretty annoying for a while, but it makes the ultimate realization that he can't control everything more powerful. This book is a gut punch in the best way possible. Highly recommended!
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