A great book about three teens who have autoimmune diseases, second chances, fitting in, and self-acceptance. Sunny wants to win the Junkbot title and defeat Hannah, Trev wants the lead in the school play, and Vee wants to beat Mia on the swim team. Sunny invites Trev and Vee to her shed, and they form their secret club so they can help each other succeed at their goals. Each of them gets help from others, but they find winning isn’t everything. They find they are missing out on things because all they care about is winning. They realize they’re hurting themselves and aggravating their autoimmune disorders with the stress. Sunny has a plan at the end that she thinks will help others. What is it?
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

This was a sweet, hopeful book packed with practical advice on self-improvement that is based in a growth mindset. I thought the characters were endearing and found their lessons learned inspiring. While the dialogue and plot felt geared toward younger grades (5-6), there were some romantic themes that felt older. I enjoyed the different family dynamics shown as well as the information about autoimmune disorders. One small note- I have a pet peeve about characters addressing people by their first and last name to create a manufactured sense of earnestness or drama, and that happened several times in this book. Overall, I did enjoy this very much! 3.75 stars rounded up to 4.

This middle grade story follows three friends with autoimmune conditions who form a secret club to help each other win at school competitions, believing success will finally help them fit in. The book delivers a meaningful message about what it really means to succeed, and how to choose growth over perfection with a cast of diverse characters. It offers young readers an affirming look at chronic illness without letting it define the characters.

This middle school book brings together three kids, all struggling with autoimmune disorders and family struggles, which make them feel like outsiders. This is a great book following Sunny, Vee and Trev as they negotiate what it means to be different, to have a condition that will set you apart, and to feel different. Sunny is part of the Junk-bot club competing to go the state championships , Vee is a swimmer hoping to break the school record and Trev is part of the theater and has his eye on the leading roll in the school play. I think Trev was my favorite main character, even thought I am not male nor into theater, nor share his struggles (either of them). Each of the main characters is very relatable and between the variety of the main characters and their chosen activity, many kids will find one of the characters relatable (if not all, or at least sympathetic to all the characters). There are a host of secondary characters, Ruby, Jake, Jolie and Will, the people they are seeking to help them, other friends or their nemesis in the book, all who add an element of relatability to the book. Though you may not know their perspective the same way you learn about the secondary characters, you do learn about them enough to be relatable and learn so very valuable lessons. It has real-life situations, real-life consequences and real-life choices. They all want to win at their chosen activity, but at what cost? And what does “winning” really mean? Maybe there are more ways to win, then being first place. But is being different because of how others treat you, or is that sometimes from within? This book is superbly written and an very engaging read!

You will root for the kids and follow their journey, even as you see where they may be choosing the wrong path, you still want to see them ultimately succeed. It isn't just about winning, it is about reaching your goals and figuring out the right reason and the right way. There are some really fantastic lessons and it opens a lot of great talking points along the way. Great for middle school book clubs, great for inclusive libraries.

This is a great book for both boys and girls, and anyone who struggles with something that makes them feel different (this could really be anyone!) Once I started it I did not want to stop! This is a fantastic book and I am excited to see where it lands! I HIGHLY recommend this book! It was a joy to read!