Falling Short

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?
Dual POV: See the story from both sides as star athlete Isaac struggles with his grades and straight-A student Marco tries to make the basketball team.Basketball Fiction for Kids: Feel the courtside tension as two friends trade places—the jock hitting the books and the scholar hitting the court—to achieve their dreams.Coming of Age Story: Navigating the halls of middle school is tough, but it’s even harder when you’re trying to keep your family from falling apart and earn a distant father’s approval.Heartfelt and Funny: A story packed with laugh-out-loud moments and touching scenes about the power of friendship to help you through the toughest times.