Playing Hurt: The First Half (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781973601692)

Joshua Meyer is like many healthy 12-year old boys. He's vibrant, fun, full of confidence--but--unlike the average boy, he's unusually gifted. His talents show up on the football field, with his love of creative writing, in a knack for business, and with his love and sensitivity to family and friends.

However, when Meyer's best friend, Travis Smith, is injured during a backyard football game Joshua is forced for the first time to see a harsh side of life.

But the difficulties don't stop there; Travis' injury is just the beginning of struggles. What is so important about this boy's destiny that the universe seems to be trying to take him, his home, and even his hope apart, bit by bit? And will his family survive the attacks? Will he?