Holding Back

This book was written to represent homeschoolers and the lesser known sport of campdrafting, as well as to encourage teenagers who feel insecure socially that it is worth making the effort to break out of their comfort zone. It provides an authentic look at a homeschooled male teen who needs to learn to challenge himself, in sports, in life, and in his social skills. 

Nick is a fifteen-year-old boy whose best friend is his little sister, and who tends to be a bit of a loner. While Nick is the older brother Nick finds that his little sister does better in the sport of campdrafting than he does. He tends to get nervous, makes hasty decisions and stuffs up. He feels awkward around the other competitors. But Nick decides to join a local swim squad, he wants to challenge himself to make some friends. Along the way he discovers he’s a competitive breastroker, and works out how to fit in with a mixed group of teens, growing more independent in the process. The other 4 teens have a variety of personalities - a super friendly guy, super self-confident guy, and two girls, one who becomes very interested in campdrafting and later asks Nick for riding lessons. He becomes good friends with one of the guys and goes to his place to ride motorbikes. The new mates come to see him compete at a campdraft. He is more relaxed with the other competitors this time and is more successful in the competition.

This book is unlike most others on the market, and will appeal because of its unique nature. Many teens may have wondered about homeschooling. Campdrafting is a unique Australian sport that many may not have heard of. Actual homeschoolers (over 40 000 in Australia) will feel validated to see themselves represented positively in literature.