The Endless Game

Gr 3-8–Fred is the new kid in town, again. He is used to moving and tries to fly under the radar because he knows he’s going to move again soon. But Lakeside, IL, is different. Every kid in town is caught up in one of the longest and most intense games of capture the flag to ever exist, a competition that has been running for generations. When Fred is pulled into the fray, his newfound friends show him the ropes. With that, Fred is determined to enjoy this summer and talk his parents into not moving again. This is an adventurous and fun tale about finding a place to belong to, even when it feels like an impossible task. Amato weaves in underlying messages about fitting in, friendship, and carrying on traditions. The graphics are vibrant and easy to follow, while each character has their own style and personality that shines through in their depictions. Fred cues white, his friends are depicted with a range of skin tones and hair textures.