Playing the Cards You're Dealt (scholastic Gold) by Varian Johnson

Playing the Cards You're Dealt (scholastic Gold)

Varian Johnson

Scholastic Inc. · Paperback · January 3, 2023

“With a deft hand, Johnson shows us there's no such thing as 'too young' when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family.” – Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man.

Buy on Amazon

We earn from qualifying purchases.

Who it’s for
A card-table rivalry opens onto questions of family legacy, friendship, and what manhood means.
Themes
Toxic masculinity, Family legacy, Family secrets
Genres
Boys & Men, US: African American Stories, Growing Up

About this book

“With a deft hand, Johnson shows us there's no such thing as 'too young' when it comes to questioning big ideas like manhood, or even family.” – Jason Reynolds, New York Times bestselling author of Look Both Ways and Stamped Literary powerhouse and Coretta Scott King Honor- and Boston Globe / Horn Book Honor-winning author of The Parker Inheritance Varian Johnson explores themes of toxic masculinity and family legacy in this heartfelt, hopeful story of one boy discovering what it really means to be a man.

Continue reading

Playing the Cards You're Dealt joins the Scholastic Gold line, which features award-winning and beloved novels. Includes exclusive bonus content! SECRETS ARE ALWAYS A GAMBLE Ten-year-old Anthony Joplin has made it to double digits! Which means he's finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won. So while Ant's friends are stressing about fifth grade homework and girls, Ant only has one thing on his mind: how he'll measure up to his father's expectations at the card table. Then Ant's best friend gets grounded, and he's forced to find another spades partner. And Shirley, the new girl in his class, isn't exactly who he has in mind. She talks a whole lot of trash -- way more than his old partner. Plus, he's not sure that his father wants him playing with a girl. But she's smart and tough and pretty, and knows every card trick in the book. So Ant decides to join forces with Shirley -- and keep his plans a secret. Only it turns out secrets are another Joplin Man tradition. And his father is hiding one so big it may tear their family apart...

Games and Expectations

A card-table rivalry opens onto questions of family legacy, friendship, and what manhood means.

Come here for

  • Spades, sharp banter, and a determined new partner
  • A boy weighing family expectations against his own judgment

Expect

  • Playful competition with serious family stakes
  • A hopeful look at masculinity, secrets, and belonging

Where it sits

Growing Up74%
Boys & Men59%
US: African American Stories46%

Percentages are BookFrontier’s reading of the book.

Publisher categories

  • Boys & Men
  • US: African American Stories
  • Games
Authors
Varian Johnson
Publisher
Scholastic Inc.
Published
January 3, 2023
Format
Paperback
Theme
Toxic masculinity · Family legacy · Family secrets
Reading lane
Boys & Men