What an incredible book about the pressures and expectations we put on ourselves, and how kids, especially young athletes, have so much pressure to be the best.

Vale has always been the best fencer at her club. She's ranked nationally and was on track to excel at the highest level. She's competitive to a fault, a perfectionist, and laser focused. 

But all that's changed, and everything she identifies with as a champion fencer is at stake, following an accident that injured her leg. Sometimes she has good days. But often times she feels shooting pain and knows that things are different now.

Things get even more confusing when a new girl joins the fencing team, and starts winning. Not just her bouts, but also the admiration of all of her peers. Vale is jealous and confused and mad at the circumstances that have changed. 

This is a story about growth. About perseverance. Resilience. About knowing one thing so clearly and then having that one thing change. And what that does to a young person's confidence. Their mental health. Their emotions.

Great therapy rep, very supportive older brother, and a little bit of romance makes this a very layered read for middle grade readers. Highly recommend!