You Throw Like a Girl

January 1, 2017
Grades 4-7 Despite having to spend the summer with her grandma, Gabby is sure she will join her softball team in this year's championship game, just like her dad did when he was a kid. Her plans get derailed when all her teammates decide to participate in the Miss Popcorn Pageant instead of softball. What can a girl do? If she puts her hair up and wears her dad's lucky cap, she can sort of pass for a boyso Johnny is born! When she accidentally signs up for Miss Popcorn, too, she gets on the bad side of local queen bee Jessa, who threatens to expose her secret unless she backs out of the competition. With a little help from her best friend on the team, Owen, she comes up with a plan that will surprise everyone. This breezy tween read features a likable main character and a gender-swap plot that goes beyond the usual cliches, and the message of self-confidence and acceptance is perennially a good one with ample appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)