Malik and the Fourth Quarter
One complete keepsake story written a reading level up, for kids roughly 8–10: Malik plays his heart out in a game the Comets still lose and learns to shake the other team's hands with his head high, catches a bad call in 'the pause' — one slow breath before he reacts — grinds through five hundred freezing free throws nobody claps for, discovers that an assist can feel even better than a basket, and cheers the loudest for the teammate stuck on the last seat of the bench. When the rematch comes down to two free throws, his body already knows what to do. The story closes with a Think About It page: a warm reflection, three questions worth chewing on, and one tiny real-world challenge — so the lesson settles in long after the buzzer.
“The score isn't the only thing that counts — how you play, how you lose, and how you lift up your team is what makes a real champion.”
Malik is 9 in this story. A gap-toothed nine-year-old in a bright orange number-four jersey and scuffed red high-tops, with a battered driveway basketball and more heart than any scoreboard can measure. When you make it yours, the hero becomes your child — same name, same face, same big heart — illustrated to look just like them on every single page.
One complete story — not a two-page teaser
One whole season of heart, grit, and real teammates — from a four-point loss to the loudest cheer in the gym. Flip through the sample above to read every page — here's what's tucked inside.
Malik and the Fourth Quarter
“The score isn't who I am — how I play, how I lose, and how I lift my team up is who I am.”
The story ends with
Think About It
A warm reflection that names the feeling and the lesson — plus a little family affirmation to say together.
Let’s talk about it
A few gentle questions to open a cozy bedtime conversation. No test, no wrong answers.
Tiny Challenge
One small, real-world thing to try together the next day, so the lesson lands in real life.
This is the full keepsake we illustrate, print, and ship — yours stars your child on every page.
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