The Endless Game - by J D Amato (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A Read with Jenna Jr. Today Show Book Club Pick

A middle school boy gets drawn into his new town's intense summer game of capture the flag in this "thrilling...often profound" (Booklist, starred review) slice-of-life graphic novel debut perfect for fans of The Cardboard Kingdom and Craig of the Creek.

When Fred Townsend and his family move to Lakeside, Illinois, Fred is inducted into a game of capture the flag that has split the entire town in two. But this isn't a normal game. It's been going on for decades and has been passed down from generation to generation. It has its own history, laws, and institutions, with elaborate castle-like bases, dreary prisons, kid-run saloons, and even a council of home-schooled kids that preside over the rules of the game.

But for Fred, and all of Lakeside's kids, this unending war is not just about winning--it's also about learning how you want to fit into the world, the power of friendship, and making sure this summer is one they will never forget.

Review Quotes

Gr 3-8-Fred is the new kid in town, again. He is used to moving and tries to fly under the radar because he knows he's going to move again soon. But Lakeside, IL, is different. Every kid in town is caught up in one of the longest and most intense games of capture the flag to ever exist, a competition that has been running for generations. When Fred is pulled into the fray, his newfound friends show him the ropes. With that, Fred is determined to enjoy this summer and talk his parents into not moving again. This is an adventurous and fun tale about finding a place to belong to, even when it feels like an impossible task. Amato weaves in underlying messages about fitting in, friendship, and carrying on traditions. The graphics are vibrant and easy to follow, while each character has their own style and personality that shines through in their depictions. Fred cues white, his friends are depicted with a range of skin tones and hair textures. VERDICT An enjoyable, approachable story about being the new kid that would be a good addition to any library.-Harley Smith-- "School Library Journal "

* Have you heard the legend of the two towns divided by a stream, where for decades the children compete at a game that lasts until they become adults and their own children take their places?In concept, Amato's graphic novel rings with the power of a folktale, but this thrilling, characterful, and deep story could hardly be more relevant or contemporary. The rules and mythology of this vast, super-high-stakes game of capture the flag will resonate in the imagination of every reader who's ever run through a field or down a block, an irresistible invitation of investment that only redoubles with its complex, diverse cast. While the emotional through line belongs to Fred, a new arrival cursed with an ever-relocating family, every character gets their well-earned moments of growth, drama, and victory. Morse and Calhoun's art resonates further still, with its summer light, its gripping action design, and its idiosyncratic faces. Just beneath the surface of all the raucous fun are questions resonating with immediacy: How do you overcome opposition that lies, cheats, and intimidates but is never held accountable? How does friendship and teamwork bring out the very best in us? And, more distantly and disturbingly, what are the implications of a community devoting itself to a traditional practice over generations without question? Deeply satisfying and often profound. --Booklist Review, STARRED "03/01/2026"

Fred's dad's job has the family moving around a lot, so Fred is not about to get attached to anyone in Lakeside, Illinois, knowing he'll just have to say goodbye in a couple of months anyway. Lakeside, however, is different from the other towns he's lived in; here, the kids' lives are dominated by a decades-long game of capture the flag, and the Downhill kids are happy for new recruits in their battle against their nemesis, the Uphill kids. Jamie, the Uphill King, has gotten even more ruthless since last summer, when he framed Mike, the then Downhill king, for tagging a public building, an act of delinquency that landed Mike a stint in Montana at his grandparents' place. The Downhill kids are dead set on clearing Mike's name and finally capturing the flag, and Fred might be a key player in doing so. A bit like Lakeside's endless game itself, this graphic novel is both silly and emotional, with low stakes that nonetheless feel compelling as readers get to know a deeply sympathetic Fred and his new group of ragtag friends. The game has been handed down from parent to child for years, so readers who themselves are dealing with parental expectations of competition might recognize the subtle indications that plenty of the players would love to define themselves outside of the game. In a way, however, that makes their participation all the more poignant and even a little noble--none of them will leave the game or abandon their teammates. Character design and style have a retro Archie-comic appeal but with more earthy, muted tones that lend focus and weight, while the structured paneling is disrupted in moments of high drama. Fans who have outgrown Weinersmith's Bea Wolf (BCCB 1/23) will appreciate this title's cheeky irreverence and pure celebration of the worlds kids create with imagination and fervor. KQG--BCCB "March 2026 Issue"

In summer 1998, middle schooler Fred Townsend and his family move to Lakeside, Ill., where children have been playing a town-wide game of capture the flag since 1923. What began as a way to unite the feuding youths of Uphill and Downhill Lakeside, however, has evolved into an even more intense rivalry, whose grudges continue to grow with each generation, further polarizing already combative divisions. Fred quickly falls in with the Downhill kids, who school him in the game's history, rules, and everyone's carefully defined roles, and tour him around their grand headquarters and eerie jail cells. As Fred becomes embroiled in the serious business of this everlasting war--including the intense competition, cheating, and corruption that commands the kids' days from 11 a.m. until the streetlights go on--he learns hard-won lessens in friendship, teamwork, problem-solving, and self-awareness. Morse's stylized cartooning depicts children of various abilities, body types, and skin tones discovering personal strengths while doing whatever it takes to come out on top. Nostalgic, slice-of-life storytelling by Amato bursts with absurd action and cheerful intrigue, making this double debut an winning pick for reluctant and savvy readers alike. Ages 8-12. Illustrator's agent: Charlie Olsen, InkWell Management. (Apr.)--Publishers Weekly "1/12/2026"

In Lakeside, Illinois, generations of neighborhood kids have competed in an epic battle of capture the flag.

Fred Townsend and his family arrive in the summer of 1998. Fred moves often for his father's job, and he dreads being the new kid again. When white-presenting Fred meets his neighbor Rusty, who appears Black, he's pulled into the town's capture the flag game--a tradition dating back to 1923. Intended to ease tensions between Uphill and Downhill, the two halves of town, it only made the rivalry stronger. Today, the game includes kings, castles, jails, and the nonpartisan rule enforcers the Council of Homeschool Kids. Fred joins Downhill amid chaos: King Mike was framed for spraying graffiti and banished. The new leader, King Raquel, must juggle winning with pressures to prove Mike's innocence. Visually, the teams are worlds apart: Downhill players are portrayed in soothing earth tones with a faint golden glow, and the members have individual styles, while Uphill members, whose panels feature cooler tones, stick to matching button-down shirts and dark pants, and several are named Matt. The teams' looks reflect their worldviews: Downhill values individual strengths, while Uphill depends on conformity and obedience. The racially diverse players on both teams feel real and complex, showing that people are more than just "good" or "bad." Together, they realize winning isn't about the flag--it's about friendship and discovering one's unique purpose.

A nostalgic celebration of childhood and how it helps shape who we become.--Kirkus "March 1, 2026"

About the Author

J.D. Amato is a writer based in Astoria, New York. He is best known for his work in comedy television. Outside of writing, he is an amateur distance runner and loves colorful things.

Sophie Morse is an illustrator based in Boston. After graduating from Rhode Island School of Design, she has been working in publishing and editorial. She dreams of one day living in a tiny shack by the ocean with 200 dogs.