Playing Up

When Elise is moved up from the middle school soccer team at her new school to the JV team, she must decide if playing up is worth giving up her friends. | Following her parents’ separation, twelve-year-old Elise finds herself living with her dad in the middle of nowhere—or at least that’s how it feels. She’s thankful she still has soccer—the field will feel familiar, even if nothing else does. Most of the girls on the team are welcoming, except for Sarah, the team captain. Then, at the first practice, Elise’s skills are noticed by the JV coach. She’s moved up to the older team, which doesn’t go over well with Sarah. Can Elise handle playing up if it means sacrificing her social life?