Description

With a deft hand, Johnson shows us theres no such thing as too young when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family. -Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped

Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man.

SECRETS ARE ALWAYS A GAMBLE

Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means hes finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. So while Ants friends are stressing about fifth grade homework and girls, Ant only has one thing on his mind: how hell measure up to his fathers expectations at the card table.

Then Ants best friend gets grounded, and hes forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isnt exactly who he has in mind. She talks a whole lot of trash way more than his old partner. Plus, hes not sure that his father wants him playing with a girl. But shes smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley and keep his plans a secret.

Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart

Author: Varian Johnson
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Published: 10/05/2021
Pages: 320
Weight: 0.9lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.70w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781338348538
Language: English