It's spring! Baseball and softball season is upon us. Head to your local public library and find these books starring young adults who learn about themselves and the world around them while playing the game they love. Swing for the fences and read all ten!
Cochrane, Mick. The Girl who Threw Butterflies. Knopf, 2009.
Her father has died suddenly and her mother isn't the person she once was, but eighth grader Molly is determined to be known as something other than "Miss Difficulty Overcome." Her wicked knuckleball might just be the key to making a new name for herself. Follow Molly as she shocks her school by joining the boys' baseball team and learns to reconnect with family, friends, and the game she loved before tragedy struck.
Learn more about the book here: The Girl who Threw Butterflies
Her father has died suddenly and her mother isn't the person she once was, but eighth grader Molly is determined to be known as something other than "Miss Difficulty Overcome." Her wicked knuckleball might just be the key to making a new name for herself. Follow Molly as she shocks her school by joining the boys' baseball team and learns to reconnect with family, friends, and the game she loved before tragedy struck.
Learn more about the book here: The Girl who Threw Butterflies
Green, Michelle Y. A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. Dial Books, 2002.
Did you know a woman once played professional baseball alongside men? Mamie "Peanut" Johnson stood just over five feet tall, but a sharp curveball made her an intimidating presence to Negro League batters. Part Jackie Robinson and part Susan B. Anthony, Mamie Johnson proved that a strong arm and an even stronger heart mean success in baseball. This compelling and exciting story of courage is a wonderful piece of baseball history that every fan should know. See and hear Mamie talk about the festive atmosphere of Negro League games:
The Indianapolis Clowns
Johnson, Scott. Safe at Second. Philomel Books, 1999.
The only thing brighter than the numerous trophies and awards Todd Bannister displayed in his room was the teen's future in the major leagues until a rocket line drive changed everything. Now with one glass eye and the haunting memory of the come-backer that shattered his face and possibly his dreams, Todd must find the strength to step back on the mound, or at least move on with his life. Get inspired by this moving story of courage, friendship, and baseball!
Learn more about the author's books: Scott Johnson @ Good Reads
The only thing brighter than the numerous trophies and awards Todd Bannister displayed in his room was the teen's future in the major leagues until a rocket line drive changed everything. Now with one glass eye and the haunting memory of the come-backer that shattered his face and possibly his dreams, Todd must find the strength to step back on the mound, or at least move on with his life. Get inspired by this moving story of courage, friendship, and baseball!
Learn more about the author's books: Scott Johnson @ Good Reads
Lipsyte, Robert. Center Field. HarperTeen, 2010.
Imagine realizing that the people you thought you knew were not who they seemed to be. Mike Semak's dream of starring on and captaining his senior baseball team becomes jeopardized by two people he thought he could trust, his coach and his dad. To make matters worse, Mike's idol and role-model, star major leaguer Billy Budd, is anything but the hero Mike envisioned him as. Join Mike as he discovers for himself the meaning of morals while enduring the trials and triumphs of a long season.
Visit the personal site of one of the best YA authors: robertlipsyte.com
Imagine realizing that the people you thought you knew were not who they seemed to be. Mike Semak's dream of starring on and captaining his senior baseball team becomes jeopardized by two people he thought he could trust, his coach and his dad. To make matters worse, Mike's idol and role-model, star major leaguer Billy Budd, is anything but the hero Mike envisioned him as. Join Mike as he discovers for himself the meaning of morals while enduring the trials and triumphs of a long season.
Visit the personal site of one of the best YA authors: robertlipsyte.com
Lynch, Chris. Gold Dust. HarperCollins, 2000.
The arrival of Dominica immigrant Napoleon Charlie Ellis to his Catholic high school might just be the big break Richard Riley Moncrief needs. Richard, inspired by the notorious Gold Dust Twins of the 1975 Red Sox, has been seeking a talented ballplayer who can serve as his own twin, and surely the new guy from the Caribbean must love baseball. Imagine Richard's disbelief and disappointment when he learns that Napoleon feels more at home at the theater than on the baseball diamond. Will Napoleon cave in to Richard's stereotypical demands? Find out in this piece of historical fiction that examines baseball, racism, and acceptance.
Want to know about the real Gold Dust Twins? Go here: Fred Lynn
and here: Jim Rice @ Baseball-almanac
The arrival of Dominica immigrant Napoleon Charlie Ellis to his Catholic high school might just be the big break Richard Riley Moncrief needs. Richard, inspired by the notorious Gold Dust Twins of the 1975 Red Sox, has been seeking a talented ballplayer who can serve as his own twin, and surely the new guy from the Caribbean must love baseball. Imagine Richard's disbelief and disappointment when he learns that Napoleon feels more at home at the theater than on the baseball diamond. Will Napoleon cave in to Richard's stereotypical demands? Find out in this piece of historical fiction that examines baseball, racism, and acceptance.
Want to know about the real Gold Dust Twins? Go here: Fred Lynn
and here: Jim Rice @ Baseball-almanac
Peck, Robert Newton. Extra Innings. HarperCollins, 2001.
When the plane went down, young Tate Stonemason lost his family and his big league dreams.70-year- old Viddy, the adopted aunt who instilled in Tate the love for baseball, might be the only person in the world who can console him. Listen along with Tate as Viddy recounts her hilarious childhood experiences travelling across the United States in a purple bus belonging to the Ethiopian Clowns, a Negro league team comprised of good players and great characters. Her stories leave no doubt that the power of laughter, family, and America's greatest game can help someone overcome unimaginable pain. This book is sure to provide belly laughs and smiles as Tate slowly rediscovers who he was and who he can become.
The Ethiopian Clowns were a real Negro League team! 1940 Team Picture @ NLBPA
Pena, Matt de la. Mexican Whiteboy. Delacorte Press, 2008.
As 16-year-old Danny Lopez feels the heat of their stares, he wishes he could morph into an ant, zigzagging in and out of tiny crevices in the street. Half-Mexican Brown, Danny knows he does not fit in anywhere in San Diego. Danny also knows his whiteness forced his father to retreat to Mexico. Given all his flaws, it's not surprising that Danny fails to harness the confidence needed to excel on the pitching mound, despite possessing a blazing fastball. Will Danny continue to shrink as he realizes his otherness amid his dad's Mexican family, or will he face the world for the first time? Find out in this book perfect for anyone who has ever felt out-of-place.
Peters, Julie Anne. Far from Xanadu. Little, Brown, 2005.
Mike is falling hard for Xanadu, the exotic new girl taking Coalton, Kansas and its high school by storm; sounds typical enough, right? Well, Mike is the star of the softball team and a lesbian who wears her deceased father's clothes. Xanadu is totally straight. Yet, Mike and Xanadu hit it off really well. Is it possible that Xanadu is falling for Mike? Discover the truth as Coalton's star athlete must come to grips with growing up differently, a deteriorating family, and feelings that may never be reciprocated.
Mike is falling hard for Xanadu, the exotic new girl taking Coalton, Kansas and its high school by storm; sounds typical enough, right? Well, Mike is the star of the softball team and a lesbian who wears her deceased father's clothes. Xanadu is totally straight. Yet, Mike and Xanadu hit it off really well. Is it possible that Xanadu is falling for Mike? Discover the truth as Coalton's star athlete must come to grips with growing up differently, a deteriorating family, and feelings that may never be reciprocated.
Ritter, John H. Over the Wall. Philomel Books, 2000.
13-year-old Tyler has the potential for baseball greatness, but he needs to let his bat and glove do the talking, not his fists. Everywhere Tyler looks resembles a warzone; his temper and penchant for fighting are the dangerous landmines that could destroy his life. Coach Trioli, who knows a thing or two about battles from his time in Vietnam, recognizes Tyler is caught in a struggle with no winner. Tyler's anger is the only thing that can prevent him from making the all-star team and earning the attention of scouts. Tyler's story will prove that the road to baseball success can be even harder and longer than it seems.
13-year-old Tyler has the potential for baseball greatness, but he needs to let his bat and glove do the talking, not his fists. Everywhere Tyler looks resembles a warzone; his temper and penchant for fighting are the dangerous landmines that could destroy his life. Coach Trioli, who knows a thing or two about battles from his time in Vietnam, recognizes Tyler is caught in a struggle with no winner. Tyler's anger is the only thing that can prevent him from making the all-star team and earning the attention of scouts. Tyler's story will prove that the road to baseball success can be even harder and longer than it seems.
Staples, Billy and Rich Herschlag. Before the Glory: 20 Baseball Heroes Talk about Growing up and how to Turn Hard Times into Home Runs. HCI, 2007.
Curious as to what David Wright, Brian Roberts, and recent MVP Justin Morneau were like as teens? How about Hall of Famer Whitey Ford? This book lets some of baseball's brightest stars and greatest legends tell, in their own words, what it was like to be a kid dreaming about reaching the big leauges. Anyone who plays ball will take delight in and get inspired by these stories showing that the stars who seem larger-than-life were once everyday kids with big goals and the determination to reach them.
Little leaguer Justin Morneau: JustinMorneau.com
Curious as to what David Wright, Brian Roberts, and recent MVP Justin Morneau were like as teens? How about Hall of Famer Whitey Ford? This book lets some of baseball's brightest stars and greatest legends tell, in their own words, what it was like to be a kid dreaming about reaching the big leauges. Anyone who plays ball will take delight in and get inspired by these stories showing that the stars who seem larger-than-life were once everyday kids with big goals and the determination to reach them.
