"Heat" by Mike Lupica

Heat by Mike Lupica is a story about Michael, a little league pitcher who loves baseball, has a very strong arm and a big secret he shares with his older brother, Carlos.  They are from Cuba, just like Michael's favorite Yankee pitcher!  He pitches lights out until a rival team challenges his eligibility because they can't believe he's only 12.  When he signed up to play, they accepted his baptism certificate as proof of age, but now must produce a birth certificate which his dad apparently forgot to bring when they left Cuba.  He can't play until he gets it!  Michael only cares about playing ball until he sees a mystery girl named watching them practice with an arm as strong as his and is immediately attracted to her.  

I enjoyed this baseball book and liked Michael's relationship with his best friend and catcher, Manny.  There is also some humor along with some actual games.  I liked how Michael and Carlos stuck together and went to great lengths to keep their big secret.  Ellie also added some extra bit of interest to the story.  I recommend this to anyone who likes reading about youth baseball.  I was a bit disappointed that it stopped short of the Little League World Series game in Pennsylvania.
(Karen's review, 4 stars)

Teaser from page 44:  Michael turned around and looked at Manny.  Who was staring at the girl in the distance the way you stare at fireworks the first time you see them in the sky.  "I saw," Manny said.

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"The Outsider" by Stephen King

In The Outsider by Stephen King, a Little League baseball coach is arrested on the field for the murder of a young child.  The police have a witness that placed him at the crime scene and DNA all over the crime scene indicates he was there.  However, other witnesses claim he was at a book convention far away from the murder scene when the crime was committed.  How can he be in two places at the same time??? 

There is good stuff here.  This kept my interest and kept me turning pages.  The only problem I had was that the ending dragged out.  That being said, I enjoyed this, and if you are a Stephen King fan, you will too!
(Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 21:  "You can preach to the multitudes later, Maitland.  Right now you're going to jail."

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"Ellen" by Rachel Wesson

Ellen is Book 6 in the Clover Springs Mail Order Bride series by Rachel Wesson that I am enjoying very much! The author introduces one main character in each book and the reader sees how the small town in Colorado gradually builds up. I’m loving it! Ellen is Katie’s sister. Ellen got a chance to attend a University to become a school teacher, but discovered it was harder than expected and returned to Clover Springs. She starts teaching again in Clover Springs and Father Molloy comes for a visit with two orphans who are mixed breeds. Talk of an orphanage for the town comes up and plans go forward. Some matchmaking ensues for Ellen and Samuel Higgins, but can a fire destroy their dream?

I didn’t feel Ellen was as a dynamic character as the first five so this book was not quite as good as the others in my opinion, but it went quickly and I still enjoyed it. (4 stars)


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"Dog Medicine" by Julie Barton

Dog Medicine by Julie Barton is a true story about how her dog helped her. Julie had a rough childhood to say the least. She tried to go it alone and that turned into a total disaster. She needed help and fast! She decided to get a puppy! She could not even take care of herself so it was hard to see how she would manage to take care of a young dog.

I LOVED this book! I rooted for Julie all the way! This is a very short book. It goes fast so give it a chance, you will be glad you did! (Gerard's review, 5 stars)

Teaser from page 104:  And, miraculously, I knew in that moment that I was more than capable of caring for him.  I felt enormously driven to create a space for Bunker that felt safe, free of all worry, fear, and anxiety.

Have you read this one? What did you think of it? If you reviewed this too, feel free to share your link to your review in the comments. To find books on a specific topic, scroll to the bottom and click on the topic you want. Happy Reading!

"Team Players" by Mike Lupica

Team Players by Mike Lupica is a children’s book about a girls’ softball team and a boys’ baseball team that I enjoyed. Cassie, an eighth grader, is a good athlete and loves sports. She has some close friends who are boys that she hangs out with. Her dad coaches her softball team and they are good! When a new girl, Sarah, tries out, she easily makes the team because she is so fast and has a great arm. For never having played before, she is pretty amazing and can hit the ball too! She seems weird though to the other girls because of some quirkiness due to her Asperger’s. When Cassie tries to help her fit in, things get crazy causing a lot of drama on her team! Meanwhile, the boys’ team her friends are on have a new coach that is a total jerk so have drama of their own. He just yells constantly and is way too intense which takes all the fun of playing out of it.

This book is like getting a double-header since it covers the team dynamics and season of two teams, not just one. I read it in one day and enjoyed it very much. It is about friendship, sports, and teamwork. As an adult reading this, I identified more with the coach and tried to think how best to handle the dissension on the girls’ team. I highly recommend this to any kid who enjoys baseball or softball, but especially team dynamics.
(Karen's review,5 stars)

Teaser from page 33:  Cassie gave Greta her biggest smile now and said, "We've only known her for two days.  What I think would be weird is not giving her a chance to fit in."

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