The Endless Game

By J.D. Amato

Book Overview

A Read with Jenna Jr. Today Show Book Club Pick

A middle school boy gets drawn into his new town's intense summer game of capture the flag in this "thrilling...often profound" (Booklist, starred review) slice-of-life graphic novel debut perfect for fans of The Cardboard Kingdom and Craig of the Creek.

When Fred Townsend and his family move to Lakeside, Illinois, Fred is inducted into a game of capture the flag that has split the entire town in two. But this isn't a normal game. It's been going on for decades and has been passed down from generation to generation. It has its own history, laws, and institutions, with elaborate castle-like bases, dreary prisons, kid-run saloons, and even a council of home-schooled kids that preside over the rules of the game.

But for Fred, and all of Lakeside's kids, this unending war is not just about winning--it's also about learning how you want to fit into the world, the power of friendship, and making sure this summer is one they will never forget.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 166592716X
• ISBN13: 9781665927161
• Release Date: April 2026
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 248 Pages
• Weight: 1.01 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.4" x 8.2"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7