Making friends at a new school is no easy feat, so one boy gets creative. At recess, Tomasso (white) finds himself alone—until he finds a couple of old playground balls. He christens them Roland and Barry and draws eyes on them. That night, when his dad asks if Tomasso made new friends, Tomasso says, “Not yet, Dad…” Over the next few weeks, Tomasso’s posse of friends expands to include Coco, a carton of milk; Ms. Take, an eraser; Henny, a paper bag; and other friendly objects. When his dad again checks in, Tomasso says he has made some friends—and “his dad’s face lit up like a lamp.” Before Tomasso knows it, his dad has cheerfully planned a pizza night for his son and his new friends. When the day arrives, Tomasso nervously arranges his inanimate pals at the table while his dad picks up the food. His dad’s exuberant greeting upon his return is followed by a “silence as loud as thunder” when he sees his son’s “friends.” Tomasso’s anxious anticipation stretches across several pages, his cheeks burning as his father gathers himself. And then, “his dad’s face broke into a big wide Dad smile.” He pulls Tomasso in for a hug and joins in the pretend play. “You must be Roland!” At the heart of this tender story is the supportive, loving relationship between resilient Tomasso and his single father, both of whom are making the best of a challenging transition. Highly Commended, 2026 Charlotte Zolotow Award