The Secret Winners Club

Out 3/3/26 by Wild Trail Press!

1^st Rule of The Secret Winners Club:
Do whatever it takes.

Thirteen-year-old Sunny Whitlock has alopecia; an autoimmune condition that’s made her lose her hair—and she’s desperate to be seen as more than just the bald kid. But how? By setting an epic goal: win her school’s junkbot club competition. And if she’s #1, then other kids will have to see beyond her disease … and she’ll finally fit in.

Sunny’s immune-deficient best friends are also tired of looking different and achieving second place in their school competitions. With a bold plan, Sunny bands with them to create The Secret Winners Club, a club devised to win—at any cost—and push them outside their comfort zones.

They promise to trust no one else. It’s all classified! And in total secrecy they aim to help one another become #1 before this middle school year is over. But as they start to succeed, they quickly discover that crossing the line and hurting others can make them even more visible and even more an outsider.

Available now! 

 

 

Download The Secret Winners Club Info Sheet

On Goodreads

Download The Secret Winners Club Teacher Guide for grades 3-8

Read the first three chapters of The Secret Winners Club

Read an interview about the writing of The Secret Winners Club

“The characters in The Secret Winners Club jump off the page. You root for this group of friends as they try to figure out what it means to go after their dreams, to seek help from others, and if winning at any cost is really winning at all. Filled with wisdom and heart, it perfectly fills that gap between middle grade and young adult and will inspire readers to pursue their own goals.”  —Wendy Mass, New York Times Bestselling author of 30+ books for young people

“I can’t imagine any young person who “looks different” or wonders about those who do, not relating to this honest, carefully crafted story. It is a fine weaving of heartache, grit, humor, and the ethics of what it means to get even. The Secret Winners Club amplifies the voices of kids who struggle to be seen beyond their medical conditions with those who judge by appearance alone. It is an important reminder to young and old to look beyond the surface, to the truth of a person’s heart and abilities.”—Joan Bauer, New York Times Bestselling author and winner of the Newbery Honor Medal and LA Times Book Prize

“A heartwarming must-read about friendship, second chances, and overcoming adversity.”—Jaime Berry, author of Heart Finds

“This is a heart-warming and page-turning read for anyone who has ever felt different. A gift for the misfits and adventurers in our soul. I wish I’d had this book as a kid.”—Sarah Allen, author of Breathing Underwater

“Middle schoolers of all types, whether athlete, STEM, or theater kid, those with autoimmune disorders or not, will see themselves reflected in this heartfelt tale of teamwork and the cost of striving to be the best. As a competitive swimmer with asthma and a junior high nemesis, I would have gobbled up The Secret Winners Club.”—Shannon Doleski, author of Gabe in the After

“The Secret Winners Club is a moving and insightful middle-grade novel that explores identity, perseverance, and the actual cost of success. Donna Galanti writes with both sensitivity and authenticity, portraying the challenges of living with visible differences without ever leaning into pity. Her characters are complex, likable, and genuine, making them highly relatable to the readers, each learning that trophies or titles can’t measure self-worth. The story flows with energy and emotion, blending humor, tension, and heartfelt moments in perfect rhythm. Galanti skillfully captures how the hunger for recognition can sometimes overshadow what truly matters—integrity, empathy, and friendship. An inspiring and heartfelt story about courage, friendship, and the power of self-acceptance. The reader will remember this emotionally rich and deeply compassionate novel long after they finish reading it.”—Suzie Housley, Midwest Book Review

“The Secret Winners Club is an emotionally resonant read for children aged 10 and up who are dealing with identity, friendship drama, and coming to terms with feeling “different”.” —The Children’s Book Review

“The Secret Winners Club features strong characterizations of its protagonists, along with their relationships to family and mentors. Galanti’s prose is primarily character-driven, effortlessly balancing Sunny, Trev, and Vee’s interiority with key setting details and dialogue choices that reveal both character and mood. The novel’s quick, short chapters and switching viewpoints are helpful to keep younger readers engaged. What Galanti does best is portray her three chronically ill protagonists as neither victims nor saviors. Instead, they are allowed to be messy, selfish, and unfair while overcoming their personal, social, and academic challenges, all while also learning how to handle and accept their autoimmune conditions. It is rare for a book to highlight so many diverse conditions at once—many readers will celebrate the representation and how it normalizes psoriasis, alopecia, and vitiligo. Galanti delivers the texture of real-life conflict that will resonate with middle grade readers.” – The BookLife Prize

Reviewers:

“A quiet, heartfelt gem about courage, friendship, and finding your own kind of “win.” The Secret Winners Club filled my whole heart. Donna Galanti has written a story that feels honest and warm, the kind that sticks with you long after you close the book. Sunny and her friends are so real funny, unsure, trying their best, and navigating all the highs and lows of middle school. Their voices ring true, and their small moments of bravery feel big in all the right ways. What I loved most is how this book gently reminds readers that “winning” doesn’t have to look the same for everyone. Growth, kindness, and belonging matter just as much maybe even more.” —Annisha with Reading in the Middle Podcast

“The author has an awesome writing style, with dynamic and vibrant characters. This novel is very well put together. Even if we don’t relate to their autoimmune conditions, their emotions, struggles, mistakes, and resolutions to make up for their wrongdoings are extremely valuable and relatable to other situations. Reading their journey to redemption was very inspiring. True second chances.” – Full review by Vanessa at ThereAreNoBadBooks

“This heartfelt middle grade novel has the unique focus of three characters with unrelated autoimmune disorders who happen to be best friends. The conditions they live with are often at the forefront of their minds because they are visible to, and thus easily judged by, their classmates. Each character is endearing and has a redeeming quality, even as pressure mounts and ultimately leads to unfortunate decisions. Compelling in its design, this story is one that helps humanize people of all ages, especially those who are set apart by a condition over which they have no control. It is a unique and constructive addition to library collections for advanced middle grade readers.” – Full review by Mary at GoodreadsWatch this lovely, in-depth video review by 10-year-old Megan in her Read Read Hurray book podcast!

 

Book Launch:
The Secret Winners Club Blog Tour!

February 23rd
Log Cabin Library: Review

February 24th
Mary Lanni Reads: Podcast Video Interview and Review

March 2nd
Literary Rambles: Guest Post “Writing Health Issues in Kidlit” plus a Book Giveaway
Reading in the Middle: Podcast Video Interview
Always in the Middle: Review

March 3rd
Fundinmental: Review plus a Book Giveaway

March 9th
The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow: Review