The Rule of Three

Baseball with a fantastical twist frames this noteworthy novel by Capps (Indigo and Ida), which delves into issues of racism and generational trauma. Seventh grader Wyatt Cash—who is Black, Mexican, and white—has his life mapped out in three steps: 1) Make the travel baseball team with his best friend Dallas (who is of unspecified Indigenous heritage); 2) Play on the varsity team in high school; and 3) Play Division 1 college baseball. But daily instances of racism in his Minnesotan town trigger stress, which manifests in a paranormal manner for Wyatt—smoke seeps from his hands and feet in a way that’s like his father’s and grandfather’s own stress response. Wyatt tries dealing independently with the anxious feelings brought about by frequent racist acts, a decision that distances him from Dallas. After an emotional crisis following an anti-Black incident at school prompts Wyatt and his family to start attending therapy, Wyatt’s Black father’s own story unfolds with growing urgency during the sessions. Capps incorporates real-life events—as discussed in an author’s note—to tell an illuminating tale that utilizes a physical manifestation of trauma to effectively demonstrate the compounding results of racism across generations. Ages 11–14. Agent: Shannon Hassan, Marsal Lyon Literary. (Aug.)

em>Correction: This review has been updated to reflect a character’s ethnicity.