bigfield

The Big Field, by Mike Lupica ISBN: 978-0-545-20400-2 ©2008 177 pages

Good sections to read aloud: p. 6 where Hutch automatically makes a play as the shortstop...which he no longer is

Summary: Our main character is “Hutch” (Kevin). He is a middle school student playing on a 17 and under baseball team. Baseball is his life...his love...and nothing can stand in the way of that...not even the new player on the team (who stole his position), or his father who is a washed up former player. Throughout the book Hutch always tries his best and is a fierce competitor. He’s bummed to be ‘bumped’ to second base vs. shortstop, but keeps his head up and is even voted the captain of the team. But the weight on his shoulders gets to be too much, and he flips out against the new guy on the team at the wrong time, as well as his own father (who he feels constantly ignores him). Will this ruin Hutch’s chances to play in the finals under the lights at ‘the big field?’ Read to find out. Mike Lupica does a great job with details as usual and keeps you rooting for Hutch!

YA sports fiction: baseball; father/son relationships;

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