Aaron is friendly, funny, and one of the best kickball players around. He is also caring and kind. He loves reading books to seniors at a nearby retirement home. In many ways, Aaron is an awesome kid. But Aaron has a problem. People call him a crybaby. When his friends cheat during a game of Forknife, Aaron cries because he feels angry and frustrated. When he sees his brother Tayshawn hurt a neighborhood dog, Aaron cries because he feels sad for the animal. And when he misses his oldest brother, Sage, who is away at college, Aaron cries because he feels lonely. Aaron hears people tell him, "Boys shouldn't cry" and "Be tough." Can Aaron learn that it's okay to have feelings? Can he discover that kindness, empathy, and sensitivity are strengths, even when others tell him to hide his emotions?

This book was written by authors who are part of an innovative program at Reach Incorporated. Reach helps young people become stronger readers and leaders by training teens to be tutors and role models for younger students. This program helps improve literacy skills for both the tutors and the students they support. Learn more at reachincorporated.org.