The Secret Winners Club

1st Rule of The Secret Winners Club: Do whatever it takes.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny Whitlock has alopecia, an autoimmune condition that's made her lose her hair-and she's desperate to be seen as more than just the bald kid. But how? By setting an epic goal: win her school's junkbot club competition. And if she's #1, then other kids will have to see beyond her disease ... and she'll finally fit in.

Sunny's immune-deficient best friends are also tired of looking different and achieving second place in their school competitions. With a bold plan, Sunny bands with them to create The Secret Winners Club, a club devised to win-at any cost-and push them outside their comfort zones.

They promise to trust no one else. It's all classified! And in total secrecy they aim to help one another become #1 before this middle school year is over. But as they start to succeed, they quickly discover that crossing the line and hurting others can make them even more visible and even more an outsider.

The Secret Winners Club speaks directly to:
Kids living with chronic illness like autoimmune and skin conditionsYoung readers navigating identity, visibility, and self-acceptanceFans of friendship-driven, coming-of-age stories with STEAM elementsThose who love theater, swimming, technology, and school competitions