The path to victory starts on the sidelines, in this fast-paced new middle grade series from #1 New York Times bestselling sportwriting powerhouse John Feinstein. Twelve-year-old Jeff Michaels, son of a Philadelphia TV sports reporter, is just learning to play soccer on the new sixth-grade team at his middle school. Andrea Carillo has fought her way onto the squad, but the coach doesn’t think girls should play with boys, so she’s riding the bench with Jeff—even though she’s one of the best players. With Jeff’s help, the Philly media gets ahold of the story, and suddenly Andi is all over the news as she shows her worth on the soccer field. But amid bullies, threats, and a media firestorm, will Andi’s skills and Jeff’s perseverance be enough to save the season? From sportswriter John Feinstein comes this action-packed novel about two kids who may be "benchwarmers," but prove themselves naturals when it comes to teamwork, friendship, and finding a path to victory.

ジョン・ファインスタインは、スポーツの深淵を抉り出す名手です。本作は、競技の華やかさの裏にある不条理や性差別の壁に挑む、少年少女の気高き闘争を描いています。ベンチを温める「控え」という視点から正義を問い直す鋭い洞察は、スポーツライターとしての著者の真骨頂であり、物語に圧倒的なリアリティと文学的な深みを与えています。 メディアの功罪という現代的テーマを絡め、真実を求める勇気が歪んだ常識を打破していく過程は圧巻です。自分たちの手で「勝利の定義」を書き換える彼らの姿は、読者の魂を熱く震わせるでしょう。これこそ、競技の枠を超えて人生の指針を指し示す、至高の人間ドラマです。