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Falling Short

by Ernesto Cisneros

Friendship amid school and family pressures

Regular price $11.50 USD
Regular price $19.17 USD Sale price $11.50 USD
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Paperback New English

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AlbakiReads Editorial

Friendship amid school and family pressures

As sixth grade begins, Isaac and Marco set goals in areas where each feels least secure: Isaac wants to improve his schoolwork, while Marco hopes to make the basketball team. Their ambitions connect classroom demands and sports with tensions at home, giving the boys’ friendship a practical role as they try to support one another. The premise centers on the strain of balancing personal goals with family expectations, and on how two friends approach challenges that neither can solve alone.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • A fit for readers ages 9–12 interested in friendship-centered stories.
  • For young readers drawn to school, basketball, and family themes.
  • Suitable for readers exploring how friends support each other through personal challenges.

Themes

Friendship and mutual supportSchool goalsBasketballFamily expectations

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

Ernesto Cisneros, Pura Belpré Award-winning author of Efrén Divided, is back with a hilarious and heartfelt novel about two best friends who must rely on each other in unexpected ways. A great next pick for readers who loved Ghost by Jason Reynolds or The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Pérez.
Isaac and Marco already know sixth grade is going to change their lives. But it won’t change things at home—not without each other’s help.
This year, star basketball player Isaac plans on finally keeping up with his schoolwork. Better grades will surely stop Isaac’s parents from arguing all the time. Meanwhile, straight-A Marco vows on finally winning his father’s approval by earning a spot on the school’s basketball team.
But will their friendship and support for each other be enough to keep the two boys from falling short?
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