Hardball

September 22, 2014
In this Orca Sports title, written at a fourth-grade reading level, the baseball team at Gulf Coast High is focused on winning games and impressing college scouts. But thanks to star first-baseman (and first-class jerk) Wade, the players are also facing nasty freshman hazing and a steroid scandal. Griffin, the story’s narrator, is believably caught in a tempest of confusing problems, and in a satisfying turn of events, he musters the courage to stand up for what’s right. Baseball fans may wish that more of the action took place on the diamond instead of following the exploits of Wade, the product of a difficult home life, whose deep mean streak makes it hard to see through to his redeeming qualities. Ages 10–up.

October 1, 2014
Grades 7-10 It's Griffin's senior year and the last time he'll grace the school's baseball field as a Shark. His friend and team captain, Wade, is sure it's destined to be their season and has plans of winning a scholarship to college. Less admirably, Wade has no qualms about throwing his weight around, both as the team's star player and a senior. However, when he begins hazing the new freshmen on the teamincluding Griffin's cousin CarsonGriffin knows he must step in. After steroids are discovered planted in Carson's locker, Griffin is sure Wade is behind it. Determined to expose Wade's bullying and underhandedness, Griffin and Carson find out much more about their captain than they bargained for. Short, fast-paced chapters keep the narrative moving with a mix of baseball play-by-plays and sleuthing. A drug-dealing subplot adds a layer of suspense and raises the stakes well beyond troubles on the ball field. Ideal for reluctant readers, this book's gritty undertones will appeal to the intended high/low audience of sports fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)