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Changeup
Changeup is a middle school novel about courage, determination, resilience and dealing with the change ups life presents.
Eleven-year-old Nolan Ryan Atwater is a talented athlete who seems destined to become a major league baseball star. But when a terrible accident takes his dad and part of his left arm, he is convinced his dream of baseball stardom and his life, is over.
Nolan is overwhelmed by the daily challenges he faces. His mom, concerned that he is withdrawing from the world, arranges a visit to a nearby horse ranch owned by a friend. Reluctant to go, but not wanting to disappoint his mom, Nolan finds himself going back to the ranch once a week. He meets Dave, the ranch manager, who promptly puts him to work helping to care for an enormous horse named Rom. Nolan hates the work, dislikes the smell and frankly is afraid of the horse. He sees the horse ranch work as one more thing he can't do. Will Nolan find a way to rebuild his life?
Eleven-year-old Nolan Ryan Atwater is a talented athlete who seems destined to become a major league baseball star. But when a terrible accident takes his dad and part of his left arm, he is convinced his dream of baseball stardom and his life, is over.
Nolan is overwhelmed by the daily challenges he faces. His mom, concerned that he is withdrawing from the world, arranges a visit to a nearby horse ranch owned by a friend. Reluctant to go, but not wanting to disappoint his mom, Nolan finds himself going back to the ranch once a week. He meets Dave, the ranch manager, who promptly puts him to work helping to care for an enormous horse named Rom. Nolan hates the work, dislikes the smell and frankly is afraid of the horse. He sees the horse ranch work as one more thing he can't do. Will Nolan find a way to rebuild his life?
109 pages, Hardcover
Published November 7, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 24, 2025
Before I launch into my review, I would like to say a huge thank you to Jean Marie James and Reedsy Discovery for the Advanced Digital Reader Copy of this title. For anyone curious about this title, here is my independent review of the book to help you decide whether to add this book to your TBR list. All opinions offered are my own.
In Changeup by Jean Marie James, fourteen-year-old Nolan Ryan Atwater, recounts the last 3 years of his life, beginning with the accident that killed his dad. As if that was not devastating enough, the accident also claimed his left arm; an unfortunate turn of events for a budding baseball star named after a much-admired pitcher. As he contends with ridicule at the hands of his classmates, Nolan is forced to confront his disability and his change in circumstances. However, armed with a defeatist attitude, when he is enrolled on a therapy program at the stables to tend to horses, he is less than thrilled to be around work and the animals that terrify him; already beaten by the difficulties he faces. Will Nolan conquer his fears and alter his resolve, or is he right, it really is too hard?
I read this book in one sitting, and I was so absorbed in the story that time flew. Before I knew it, I had reached the end of this inspiring tale. By the time I had reached the halfway point, I had concluded that every child amputee survivor should read this book. It may not change their world, but I think there are parts of Nolan’s journey that they could relate to and use to make sense of their own feelings.
I did think that Nolan could have been depicted as angrier or more confused about his fate than he did. This criticism aside, I enjoyed reading the discussion he had with the doctors about his prothesis options, the trial and error he would have to go through, and the fitting of the arm that would be right for him. I liked the fact that there was a discussion about his hobbies and interests and the variety of arms that would be available to facilitate this and although Nolan is skeptical, I found the fear and curiosity believable. I also found it helpful to witness Nolan rapidly outgrow his prothesis and demonstrate the process of ordering and fitting a new one. Whilst it is not overly rich in detail, it provides the reader with a sketched outline of what amputees experience at the start of their journeys.
Another aspect of the book I liked was the altering self-perception of what Nolan could and could not do. At school and around town, he aims to be self-reliant, not wanting to be a burden to anyone. Yet when he (unknowingly) attends therapy, he is more reserved and unsure of himself. It does not help that horses do not interest him in the slightest and he is constantly reminded that he has to keep his protheses clean at the same time as he is grooming the houses and ensuring their environment is comfortable. The reader is aware of the placement purpose from the start, but Nolan is oblivious to the potential benefit the work at the stables could prove. The scenes at the stables were interesting to read because there were a few characters with prosthetic limbs that were at various stages of their journey and so they offered a different world view.
As the story develops, themes of ableism, discrimination, goal setting, and friendships are explored, to name a few. James does not sugarcoat the fact that there are people that will make assumptions about a person’s capability based on an obvious disability, and that they will make awkward and ignorant comments. This story is as much about fitting into a world that wants to exclude you as much as it is about acknowledging and coping with your own adversities. It also tackled healthy ways to deal with grief. As a reader, it was stomach churning to read of Nolan’s doubts about his abilities, particularly those centered around the parts of his old life he wanted to reclaim. Equally, it was a joy to experience his resilience, confidence, and successes, culminating in a well-rounded story with a satisfying conclusion.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to children between the ages of seven and fifteen who have lost a limb, as well as their caregivers and friends. It is a gentle, fictional answering of some key questions one might have that also sheds light on the bigotry of the ignorant and the valuable support of peers. I found it to be encouraging of striving for your goals regardless of your perceived limitations, which is a common theme in children’s books featuring able characters. I commend James for approaching the subject from different angles and not creating a story that was all fluffy and light. As mentioned, the protagonist might have benefitted from more emotional depth in his character, but other than this, the book was worth the read. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars for what I assume is the intended audience.
In Changeup by Jean Marie James, fourteen-year-old Nolan Ryan Atwater, recounts the last 3 years of his life, beginning with the accident that killed his dad. As if that was not devastating enough, the accident also claimed his left arm; an unfortunate turn of events for a budding baseball star named after a much-admired pitcher. As he contends with ridicule at the hands of his classmates, Nolan is forced to confront his disability and his change in circumstances. However, armed with a defeatist attitude, when he is enrolled on a therapy program at the stables to tend to horses, he is less than thrilled to be around work and the animals that terrify him; already beaten by the difficulties he faces. Will Nolan conquer his fears and alter his resolve, or is he right, it really is too hard?
I read this book in one sitting, and I was so absorbed in the story that time flew. Before I knew it, I had reached the end of this inspiring tale. By the time I had reached the halfway point, I had concluded that every child amputee survivor should read this book. It may not change their world, but I think there are parts of Nolan’s journey that they could relate to and use to make sense of their own feelings.
I did think that Nolan could have been depicted as angrier or more confused about his fate than he did. This criticism aside, I enjoyed reading the discussion he had with the doctors about his prothesis options, the trial and error he would have to go through, and the fitting of the arm that would be right for him. I liked the fact that there was a discussion about his hobbies and interests and the variety of arms that would be available to facilitate this and although Nolan is skeptical, I found the fear and curiosity believable. I also found it helpful to witness Nolan rapidly outgrow his prothesis and demonstrate the process of ordering and fitting a new one. Whilst it is not overly rich in detail, it provides the reader with a sketched outline of what amputees experience at the start of their journeys.
Another aspect of the book I liked was the altering self-perception of what Nolan could and could not do. At school and around town, he aims to be self-reliant, not wanting to be a burden to anyone. Yet when he (unknowingly) attends therapy, he is more reserved and unsure of himself. It does not help that horses do not interest him in the slightest and he is constantly reminded that he has to keep his protheses clean at the same time as he is grooming the houses and ensuring their environment is comfortable. The reader is aware of the placement purpose from the start, but Nolan is oblivious to the potential benefit the work at the stables could prove. The scenes at the stables were interesting to read because there were a few characters with prosthetic limbs that were at various stages of their journey and so they offered a different world view.
As the story develops, themes of ableism, discrimination, goal setting, and friendships are explored, to name a few. James does not sugarcoat the fact that there are people that will make assumptions about a person’s capability based on an obvious disability, and that they will make awkward and ignorant comments. This story is as much about fitting into a world that wants to exclude you as much as it is about acknowledging and coping with your own adversities. It also tackled healthy ways to deal with grief. As a reader, it was stomach churning to read of Nolan’s doubts about his abilities, particularly those centered around the parts of his old life he wanted to reclaim. Equally, it was a joy to experience his resilience, confidence, and successes, culminating in a well-rounded story with a satisfying conclusion.
I would wholeheartedly recommend this book to children between the ages of seven and fifteen who have lost a limb, as well as their caregivers and friends. It is a gentle, fictional answering of some key questions one might have that also sheds light on the bigotry of the ignorant and the valuable support of peers. I found it to be encouraging of striving for your goals regardless of your perceived limitations, which is a common theme in children’s books featuring able characters. I commend James for approaching the subject from different angles and not creating a story that was all fluffy and light. As mentioned, the protagonist might have benefitted from more emotional depth in his character, but other than this, the book was worth the read. I rate it 4 out of 4 stars for what I assume is the intended audience.
April 18, 2026
I'm quite a bit older than the target age group for this book (middle grade).
I liked the cleverness of the title. The main character, Nolan, likes pitching and a changeup is a baseball pitch, but this can also reference how life throws us curves and we have to change how we approach something or change what we expect out of life.
For Nolan, this starts when he's involved in a car accident which kills his father and leaves him with an arm injury so severe that a partial amputation is needed. The story follows his concerns and fears as well as him adjusting to the life changes that recovering from losing his arm bring. Overall, uplifting without downplaying the adjustments that need to be made.
Note; I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers which asks for, but does not require, an honest review.
I liked the cleverness of the title. The main character, Nolan, likes pitching and a changeup is a baseball pitch, but this can also reference how life throws us curves and we have to change how we approach something or change what we expect out of life.
For Nolan, this starts when he's involved in a car accident which kills his father and leaves him with an arm injury so severe that a partial amputation is needed. The story follows his concerns and fears as well as him adjusting to the life changes that recovering from losing his arm bring. Overall, uplifting without downplaying the adjustments that need to be made.
Note; I received a copy of this book through LibraryThing Early Reviewers which asks for, but does not require, an honest review.
March 3, 2026
Most American young people do not experience (fortunately) tragedy as the protagonist in Changeup, Nolan Atwater, does at the start of the story.
One by one, adults in Nolan’s life help him piece together ways of coping with his new reality. With this caring help, Nolan rebuilds his identity, feelings of hope and his vision of the future.
Changeup helps young adults, and those of us not so young, to navigate the kinds of difficulties we all face.
The writing style is gripping and fresh. I look forward to Jean James’ future books.
One by one, adults in Nolan’s life help him piece together ways of coping with his new reality. With this caring help, Nolan rebuilds his identity, feelings of hope and his vision of the future.
Changeup helps young adults, and those of us not so young, to navigate the kinds of difficulties we all face.
The writing style is gripping and fresh. I look forward to Jean James’ future books.
April 18, 2026
Coming home from a fishing trip, 11 year old Nolan and his dad were in a car accident. When Nolan wakes up in the hospital he discovers that his dad has died and that he may lose his left arm. What follows is Nolan's journey of heartache, acceptance, and courage. This story brings out so many emotions and at the end had me in tears. This book is definitely worth the read for middle school age on up.
April 24, 2026
I received this book in exchange for a review. This book was an overall good read. It is geared toward a middle school age group. It is a story about over coming what life gives you staying positive. The main character Nolan keeps you rooting for him though out the book.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews