Emma O'Brien isn't afraid of anything - not bugs, not the dark, not even broccoli. She's the loudest, fiercest kid on the Riverside All Stars. But when the game is on the line - two outs, bases loaded, bottom of the last inning - Emma strikes out in front of the whole crowd, and the tears she's always held back finally come.
With gentle encouragement from Coach Rosa, Emma learns that toughness isn't about never crying - it's about feeling every emotion fully and getting back up anyway. A heartfelt story about resilience, emotional honesty, and redefining what it means to be brave, perfect for young readers learning that big feelings and big hearts go hand in hand.