The Only Game

Lupica (Game Changers) launches the Home Team series with a novel that meshes themes of baseball, friendship, and facing one%E2%80%99s fears. Seventh-grader Jack Callahan is his team%E2%80%99s star pitcher and shortstop, so everyone is shocked when he quits baseball during the lead-up to the Little League World Series. %E2%80%9CMy heart%E2%80%99s not in it,%E2%80%9D he tells his disappointed parents, before spilling the real reason he%E2%80%99s abandoning the team: %E2%80%9CBaseball won%E2%80%99t bring my brother back.%E2%80%9D Lupica thoughtfully explores Jack%E2%80%99s belief that he could have saved his daredevil older brother, Brad, who died the previous year in a dirt-bike accident. Cassie, an ace softball pitcher, reaches out to Jack, offering no-nonsense counsel about his misplaced guilt while subtly encouraging his return to the diamond. Jack, in turn, helps a much-teased classmate by coaching him in self-confidence and baseball. Lupica again proves his aptitude for lacing lightning-speed sports action with credible insight into players%E2%80%99 thoughts and emotions. This, along with Cassie%E2%80%99s pivotal role, should give the novel a wide reach and appeal. Ages 8%E2%80%9312. Agent: Esther Newberg, ICM. (Feb.)