Newbery Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Matt de la Peña's Mexican WhiteBoy is a story of friendship, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions.Danny is tall and skinny. Even though he’s not built, his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce any college scout would sign him on the spot. Ninety-five mile an hour fastball, but the boy’s not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound, he loses it.But at his private school, they don’t expect much else from him. Danny is brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego that close to the border means everyone else knows exactly who he is before he even opens his mouth. Before they find out he can’t speak Spanish, and before they realize his mom has blond hair and blue eyes, they’ve got him pegged. But it works the other way too. And Danny’s convinced it’s his whiteness that sent his father back to Mexico. That’s why he’s spending the summer with his dad’s family. But to find himself, he may just have to face the demons he refuses to see--the demons that are right in front of his face. And open up to a friendship he never saw coming.Matt de la Peña's critically acclaimed novel is an intimate and moving story that offers hope to those who least expect it."[A] first-rate exploration of self-identity." --SLJ"Unique in its gritty realism and honest portrayal of the complexities of life for inner-city teens...de la Peña poignantly conveys the message that, despite obstacles, you must believe in yourself and shape your own future." --The Horn Book Magazine"The baseball scenes...sizzle like Danny's fastball. Danny's struggle to find his place will speak strongly to all teens, but especially to those of mixed race." --Booklist"De la Peña blends sports and street together in a satisfying search for personal identity." --Kirkus Reviews"Mexican WhiteBoy...shows that no matter what obstacles you face, you can still reach your dreams with a positive attitude. This is more than a book about a baseball player--this is a book about life." --Curtis Granderson, New York Mets outfielderAn ALA-YALSA Top Ten Best Book for Young AdultsA Junior Library Guild Selection Read more

"[A] first-rate exploration of self-identity." —School Library Journal Danny's tall and skinny. Even though he's not "built", his arms are long enough to give his pitch a power so fierce that any college scout would sign him on the spot. Ninety-five-mile-an-hour fastball, but the boy's not even on a team. Every time he gets up on the mound, he loses it. Ball ends up so far out of the strike zone it's laughable. But at his private school, they don't expect much else from him. Danny's brown. Half-Mexican brown. And growing up in San Diego, that close to the border, means everyone knows exactly who he is before he even opens his mouth. Before they find out he can't speak Spanish, and before they realize his mom has blond hair and blue eyes, they've got him pegged. But it works the other way too. And Danny's convinced it's his whiteness that sent his father back to Mexico. That's why he's spending the summer with his dad's family. Only, to find himself, he may just have to face the demons he refuses to see - the demons that are right in front of his face. And open up to a friendship he never saw coming. Set in the alleys and on the ball fields of San Diego County, Mexican WhiteBoy is a story of friendship, acceptance, and the struggle to find your identity in a world of definitions. Read more

Master the art and heart of Youth Baseball in just a few weeks, even if you're a complete rookie or a seasoned player, parent, or coach grappling to up your game's ante!Do you feel you're perpetually stuck in a rut, struggling to enhance your baseball skills?Are you overwhelmed while trying to guide your kid or team through the thick and thin of this well-loved sport?Do you sometimes feel like you're lost with all the 'curveballs' getting thrown at you, unsure of how to advance to the next base?Surprisingly, you're hardly alone!Many youth baseball players, parents, coaches, and even grandparents feel the same. They find themselves at a dead-end with the lack of accessible resources that cater to their unique needs and struggles.However, it doesn't have to stay this way!Cross the 'home plate' of your baseball journey with 'The Youth Baseball Handbook: Learn the Basics, Improve Your Skills, and Develop Key Winning Strategies to Master the Game!'This comprehensive guide equips young players, parents, and coaches alike with the crucial insights and strategies needed to excel. It encourages a holistic approach - embracing not just the game's technicalities but also its emotional underpinnings and historical trivia, fostering a well-rounded love and understanding of baseball.Here are the exciting features that set this handbook apart:Get to know the basics of baseball comprehensively: everything from rules and regulations to field dimensions and key positions.Unearth the secret to improving key baseball skills like batting, pitching, fielding, and base running.Discover practical drills to boost your on-field performance across all skill levels.Unlock proven winning strategies to give you an edge in each game.Become well-equipped with effective coaching strategies to refine player potential and foster a vibrant team environment.Gain critical insights on developing mental toughness and resilience amongst players.Learn how to balance baseball with academics and social life, ensuring a well-rounded growth path for all young players.Empower children to deal with the pressure of competition and grow from the experience.Avail of practical advice on injury prevention and management so every player can stay safe and healthy.Explore a handpicked collection of baseball trivia to boost your knowledge and understanding.Enjoy real-life success stories from players who have turned around their performance using the strategies outlined in this book....and so much more!Surely, you might be thinking - "What if I, my child, or the team I coach are beginners? What if we have advanced to a higher level and need more specific assistance?"This handbook is designed with user-friendly language that makes it a perfect companion for beginners just venturing into the world of baseball. However, it doesn't stop there! For the advanced players, parents, and coaches, it promises valuable insights and strategies that can not only sustain their established proficiency but further enhance it.In essence, with 'The Youth Baseball Handbook', you are guaranteed a comprehensive, accessible, and engaging solution for all your baseball needs.So, if you're ready to step up to the plate and knock your baseball journey right out of the park, scroll up and click "Add to Cart" right now! Read more

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heat, Travel Team and Million-Dollar Throw.Brian is living every baseball kid's dream: he is a batboy for his hometown Major League team. Brian believes that it's the perfect thing to bring him and his big-leaguer dad closer together. And if that weren't enough, this is the season that Hank Bishop, Brian's baseball hero, returns to the Tigers for the comeback of a lifetime. The summer couldn't get much better! Until Hank Bishop starts to show his true colors, and Brian learns that sometimes life throws you a curveball. Read more

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Tokyo, 1890: High school can be brutal, even in turn-of-the-century Japan.From his first day at boarding school, Toyo Shimada sees how upperclassmen make a sport out of terrorizing the first-years. Still, he's taken aback when the seniors keep him from trying out for the baseball team, especially after he sees their current shortstop. Toyo isn't afraid to prove himself; He's more troubled by his uncle's recent suicide. Although Uncle Koji's defiant death was supposedly heroic, it has made Toyo question many things about his family's samurai background. And worse, Toyo fears that his father may be next.It all has something to do with "the way of the warrior", but Toyo doesn't understand, even after his father agrees to teach it to him. As the gulf between them grows wider, Toyo searches desperately for a way to prove there is a place for his family's samurai values in modern Japan. Baseball might just be the answer, but will his father ever accept a "Western" game that stands for everything he despises? Read more

Looking for that perfect gift to captivate your young baseball enthusiast?Search no more! "2151 Interesting Baseball Facts: Discover the Secrets of the Diamond, the Legends, and the Game" is not just another baseball book—it's a grand slam baseball book for boys 9-12 and kids of all ages who love the sport.This is no ordinary baseball book for kids. It's a treasure trove that sparks imagination and provides endless entertainment, all while sharpening their minds. If you're seeking baseball books for boys 9-12, or even for preteens, you've got a winner right here.Here’s a sneak peek of what’s inside this ultimate baseball trivia book:🔹 History of Baseball: Learn about the origins and evolution of America’s favorite pastime.🔹 Legendary Players: Babe Ruth to Willie Mays, legends who've earned their place in any kids baseball book.🔹 Amazing Records: Your child will discover mind-blowing stats and feats, making this a perfect baseball trivia book.🔹 Greatest Teams of All Time: Which teams rank as the greatest? A debate that belongs in baseball books for boys 9-12.🔹 Iconic Stadiums: Tour the hallowed grounds of Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and more.🔹 Unforgettable Events: Dive into perfect games, game-changing plays, and events that shaped baseball history.🔹 Culture and Traditions: From the 7th-inning stretch to ballpark snacks, traditions that every kids book about baseball should cover.🔹 Great MLB Moments: Plays and comebacks that define the game, a must-have in kids books about baseball.More than just a kids baseball book, it's your child's ticket to a universe of baseball wonder, historical enigmas, and unforgettable moments. This kids book about baseball is a portal to a world of amazement.Why settle for a run-of-the-mill baseball book when you can gift an entire universe of baseball knowledge? It's the ideal gift for children aged 9 to 12, and a fantastic addition to your collection of baseball books for kids.So, are you ready to hit a home run with the ultimate baseball book gift? Swing for the fences and make "2151 Interesting Baseball Facts" part of your child's reading lineup today! Read more

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As the daughter of a successful Major League pitcher, Charlie Hastings has baseball in her blood. Unfortunately, being the only girl on her high school baseball team, Charlie has always been just one of the guys. When her best friend, and secret love of her life, asks another girl to the prom, Charlie is devastated. She’s tired of being overlooked by boys because she’s not like other girls. Suffering a massive identity crisis, she decides to hang up her cleats and finally learn how to be a girl. But with only two weeks until the state championships, the Roosevelt High Ravens can’t afford to lose their star catcher. Team captain Jace King makes her a deal: Don’t quit the team, and he’ll help her become the girl she’s so desperate to be. After all, he’s got four sisters, one of whom happens to be a cheerleader. He knows a thing or two about girls. (And if he can win her heart in the process, all the better.) From the bestselling young adult author of Cinder & Ella, V is for Virgin, and the Avery Shaw Experiment comes a new sweet romance that's sure to leave you with all the feels! Girl at Heart is a clean and wholesome sports romance that will leave you with warm fuzzies and an itch to watch a baseball game. Read more

When Lucas Hunt proposes that we fake a relationship to get what we both want, I think it’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.Yes, I need my car fixed, and yes, he needs to publicly move on from his disaster of a past relationship, but I’m not sure my anxiety or my preference for solitude can handle what he’s asking of me.After all, as an avid reader and the star employee of Books & Beans, I’ve read enough fake dating trope storylines to know how this ends.I refuse to be the girl who falls for the guy she’s pretending to be with.Even though we’re spending all this time together, and I’m getting to know the real version of him, and he’s absurdly nice to look at—Nope.Nope. Nope. Nope. Not me.Definitely not.…I’m in so much trouble."The Fake Dating Trope" is a sweet young adult romance and teen coming of age story by Jennifer Ann Shore, the bestselling author of "Perfect Little Flaws." Read more

What A Mother Won't Do For Her Son...Top 50 Bestselling Baseball Books on Amazon Kindle"I never knew I had an arm until this guy called out, "Hey you want to try and get a ball in the hole, sonny?" I was only nine, but mom said, "come on, let's play." This Carney guy with no teeth and a fuming cigarette hands me five blue rubber balls and says if I throw three in the hole we win a prize. He's grinning, because he took mom's five bucks and figures a sucker is born every minute. That really got me, because we didn't have any money after Fernando took off, and he only comes back to beat up mom and steal our money. So I really wanted to get mom back something, you know, for her five bucks."A boy with a golden arm but no money for lessons. A mother who wants to give her son his dream before she dies. A broken down World Series pitcher who cannot go on after the death of his wife. These are the elements of The Pitcher. A story of a man at the end of his dream and a boy whose dream is to make his high school baseball team. In the tradition of The Natural and The Field of Dreams, this is a mythic story about how a man and a boy meet in the crossroads of their life and find a way to go on. You will laugh and you will cry as The Pitcher and Ricky prepare for the ultimate try out of life. Read more

Jimmy Winter is a born star on the baseball field, and Seth Barnam can only dream of being as talented. Still, the two baseball fanatics have the kind of friendship that should last forever. But when Seth experiences an unthinkable loss, he's forced to find his own personal strength--on and off the field. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults An ALA Best Book for Reluctant ReadersA New York Public Library Book for the Teen AgePennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Book of the Year Read more

"This funny and poignant novel celebrates the power of writing to help young people make sense of their lives and unlock and confront their problems." — School Library Journal (starred review)When MVP Kevin Boland gets the news that he has mono and won’t be seeing a baseball field for a while, he suddenly finds himself scrawling a poem down the middle of a page in his journal. To get some help, he cops a poetry book from his dad’s den — and before Kevin knows it, he’s writing in verse about stuff like, Will his jock friends give up on him? What’s the deal with girlfriends? Surprisingly enough, after his health improves, he keeps on writing, about the smart-talking Latina girl who thinks poets are cool, and even about his mother, whose death is a still-tender loss. Written in free verse with examples of several poetic forms slipped into the mix, including a sonnet, haiku, pastoral, and even a pantoum, this funny, poignant story by a master of dialogue is an English teacher’s dream — sure to hook poetry lovers, baseball fanatics, mono recoverers, and everyone in between. Read more

In this riveting story about baseball and brotherhood, a boy from the wrong side of the tracks finds himself pitching his way out of poverty—one strike at a time. By “a premier author of provocative YA sports novels” (The Bulletin).Lazarus “Laz” Weathers has always been shy, and his issue with stuttering when he speaks hasn’t helped. Stuck in a Seattle trailer park, Laz finds baseball helps him escape from the world of poverty and drugs. When he gets an opportunity to pitch for the rich kids across town, he has a chance to get drafted by the major leagues.But playing for the other team means leaving behind his family, including Antonio, Laz’s younger brother, who more and more, seems to be drawn to the dark world of the Jet City’s drug ring. Now Laz will have to choose between being the star pitcher he always dreamed of becoming and the team player his family needs. Read more

From the author of Some Girls Do comes another heartfelt YA sapphic romance—starring a baseball pitcher and a student umpire who are definitely not supposed to fall for one another.“Sapphic sports romance perfection. Swoony and romantic, but unafraid to tackle grief, family expectations, and fighting for your dreams, this is a home run of a book.” —Rachael Lippincott, coauthor of the #1 New York Times Bestsellers Five Feet Apart and She Gets the GirlJune is the star pitcher of her elite club baseball team—with an ego to match—and she's a shoo-in to be recruited at the college level, like her parents have always envisioned. That is, if she can play through an overuse injury that has recently gone from bad to worse.Ivy isn't just reffing to pay off her athletic fees or make some extra cash on the side. She wants to someday officiate at the professional level, even if her parents would rather she go to college instead. The first time they cross paths, Ivy throws June out of a game for grandstanding. Still, they quickly grow from enemies to begrudging friends . . . and then something more. But the rules state that players and umpires are prohibited from dating.As June's shoulder worsens, and a rival discovers the girls' secret and threatens to expose them, everything the two have worked so hard for is at risk. Now both must choose: follow their dreams . . . or follow their hearts? Read more

From the author of the Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will BeBlack daughter, white father, white mother. Race, adoption, and identity collide in this award-winning debut about a teen challenging the life she's always known.Being a transracial adoptee doesn't bother sixteen-year-old Alex Kirtridge-at least, not in a way she can explain to her white family. It doesn't matter that she's biracial when she's the star of the baseball team. But when Alex is off the field, she's teased for "acting" too white and judged for looking black. And while she loves her parents, her hot-headed brother, and her free-speaking sister, they don't seem to understand what it means that Reggie, a fellow ball player, is the first black guy who's wanted to get to know her.Things only get more complicated when she finds hidden letters from her birth father. Alex can't stop asking questions. Does she really fit in with her family? What would it be like to go to a black hairdresser? Should she contact her birth father, despite the fact that it might devastate her parents? Meanwhile, her body is changing, and Alex isn't sure she can keep up with her teammates. If she's going to find answers, Alex must come to terms with her adoption, her race, and the dreams she thought would always guide her.Author Shannon Gibney draws from her own experiences as a transracial adoptee to deliver this honest coming-of-age novel about a girl who doesn't know where she wants to fit in. Paperback edition includes a reading guide at the back! Read more

Bitter sports rivalries and swoon-worthy romance intertwine, in Karole Cozzo’s classic enemies to lovers story where two former nemeses blur the lines between love and hate. Eve is used to being the odd woman out. As the only girl on her school's baseball team, she knows exactly how to put sweaty, macho baseball players in their place, and she's learned to focus on one thing and one thing only—being the best pitcher she can be. But when a freak accident forces her school to be absorbed by the neighboring town, Eve has to contend with a new group of guys who aren't used to having a woman on their team. And the new team's star pitcher, Jamie, has no interest in being ousted from his throne. He can't afford to give up his starting slot to a new pitcher—especially to a girl. As the competition between Jamie and Eve starts to heat up, so does their attraction to each other. Can they keep their heads in the game, or will they end up getting played?Chosen by readers like you for Macmillan’s young adult imprint Swoon Reads, The Game Can’t Love You Back follows Eve as she is forced to join a new baseball team and contend with the insufferable (and cute) rival pitcher.Praise for Karole Cozzo:How to Keep Rolling After a Fall:"This is how a Young Adult novel is done. ” —Teamskelley, Goodreads ReviewerHow to Say I Love You Out Loud:"A budding romance with family drama and a feel-good ending.” —School Library JournalThe Truth About Happily Ever After:"A great, fun read that you’ll find hard to put down." —Kourtni Reads Read more