The Endless Game

In summer 1998, middle schooler Fred Townsend and his family move to Lakeside, Ill., where children have been playing a town-wide game of capture the flag since 1923. What began as a way to unite the feuding youths of Uphill and Downhill Lakeside, however, has evolved into an even more intense rivalry, whose grudges continue to grow with each generation, further polarizing already combative divisions. Fred quickly falls in with the Downhill kids, who school him in the game’s history, rules, and everyone’s carefully defined roles, and tour him around their grand headquarters and eerie jail cells. As Fred becomes embroiled in the serious business of this everlasting war—including the intense competition, cheating, and corruption that commands the kids’ days from 11 a.m. until the streetlights go on—he learns hard-won lessens in friendship, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Morse’s stylized cartooning depicts children of various abilities, body types, and skin tones discovering personal strengths while doing whatever it takes to come out on top. Nostalgic, slice-of-life storytelling by Amato bursts with absurd action and cheerful intrigue, making this double debut an winning pick for reluctant and savvy readers alike. Ages 8–12. Illustrator’s agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Apr.)