Three kids all want to be known for more than looking different. Pictured center on the cover is thirteen-year-old Sunny. She has alopecia, a disease causing her to lose her hair. Trevor has severe psoriasis and Vee deals with Vitiligo, an autoimmune disorder where white patches appear on one’s skin.

Together they create The Secret Winners Club with a set of rules so each can rise above their physical appearance and excel at what they are really good at. They promise to support each other to achieve their dreams.

For Summer it is winning the Junkbot competition. Trev wants to be chosen for the lead in the school’s production of the musical Grease, and Vee’s desire is to beat her nemesis as the fastest racer on the swim team.

Their plan begins to have success as each one finds a mentor who gives them advice. But the decisions each one makes causes more problems. The 55 chapter titles state which of these character’s viewpoint is featured resulting in a special story about friendship, making choices, and believing in more than winning at all costs.

What is really special about the plot are the families and how they impact their child’s decisions and direction in life. Each family dynamic has different types of challenges from single parent to divorce. They all are understandable in a heartfelt way. Finally, although Sunny, Vee, and Trev’s physical conditions are an important part of the story, they take a back seat to their internal journey to find a new outlook on the future.

The final verdict is in: THE SECRET WINNER’S CLUB is a winner.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: March 3, 2026 PAGES: 310

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE SECRET WINNERS CLUB by Donna Galanti

1. The Character ARC for Sunny, Vee, and Trev are well done and believable. Change becomes a positive in each ones’ life.
2. Often times when reading middle grade books, I find secondary characters not very important to the story. More like ones thrown in there to complete a main character’s profile. Not so here. From the adults to the other young characters, they each bring more meaning and empathy to the story.
3. Everyone makes mistakes in life, but what you do about making that mistake a positive is a great lesson to learn. We see that exact thing come true in endearing fashion here.
4. A story worthy for a reading group at school or at home to enjoy and discuss together. So much can come out through sharing reactions and understanding viewpoints that surface because of this special story.
5. Not to be missed is the back page “Letter From Donna” where the author shares why the book has personal meaning to her.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donna Galanti is an award-winning author of middle-grade books with the Unicorn Island series, Joshua and the Lightning Road series,  Loon Cove Summer, and The Secret Winners Club (3/3/26). She’s also the author of the paranormal suspense Element Trilogy for adults. Donna has lived in fun locations including England, her family-owned campground in New Hampshire, and in Hawaii where she served as a U.S. Navy photographer for Fleet Intelligence Pacific.

Donna is an avid outdoor adventurer and nature lover. She volunteers for the Old-Growth Forest Network and the National Audubon Society. When Donna’s not wandering the woods seeking magic and wonder, you can usually find her biking or kayaking. For more information on her books, online courses, speaking, and events, visit her at: www.donnagalanti.com.

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