Out 10/1!
Painting Through the Rough
Available: Out 10/1!
Author: David Aro
Copyright: 2026
Specs: 5 1/2" x 8 1/4" • 200 pp. • Excerpts from other Books within this Series, Written in Verse, About the Author Section, Hi-Lo Content
HC ed.: 9781978598072 • $25.80 | $19.40
eBook: 9781978598096 • $25.80 | $19.40
Pbk. ed.: 9781978598089 • $16.35 | $14.20
From school to sports, Dex is a high achiever. With a big executive for a mom and former collegiate athlete for a dad, success might as well be his middle name. But with the constant pressure to push himself, Dex’s temper gets the best of him, again—this time on the green at golf tryouts. While serving a suspension from school sports, Dex discovers a new side of himself after artsy Hazel Green asks for his help on a painting. When her colorful paints mix with his pencil sketches, it grounds him in a way he’s never felt before. But Hazel’s home life threatens her ability to attend their private school. And Dex needs to figure out if he can control his fiery emotions as he returns to sports without her by his side. Can he risk the future he and his parents envisioned to follow his heart?
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selection!
Featured on Children's Book Council's Hot Off the Press list!
“…the poetry is a pleasant change of pace for sports fiction, engaging reluctant or middle-grade readers who prefer simple but powerful poetry to large swaths of text.” — Booklist
“An accessible story for reluctant readers about balancing stress with self-discovery.” — Kirkus Reviews
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About the Author
