Heavy hitters

Review by Booklist Review

The Core Four return in this Little League addition to Lupica's Game Changers series. Ben McBain and his friends are determined to prove the Rockwell Rams are the best team in the summer league, but right off the bat, they are pitted against obstacles bigger than their opponents on the field. An injury throws off Ben's game, and the usually unflappable Justin is moody and playing worse than ever. Friendship and family are at the forefront of this story, which is nonetheless packed with sports lingo and exciting play-by-plays that are guaranteed to hit home with baseball fans.--Smith, Julia Copyright 2014 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.

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Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 3-7-Lots of things qualify as game changers for 11-year-old boys playing summer baseball: the player who gets suspended for throwing a bat, getting hit by the ball, the new kid in town who lives up to his last name of Braggs, and even the girl who prefers to hang out with the boys. There is plenty of action on the field as more game-changing events unfold before the playoffs for this team of all-stars who need to stick together to keep the season going. Though this is the third in Lupica's "Game Changers" series (after Play Makers), this one can stand alone. Reader Fred Berman keeps up with the pace of the games and drama that unfolds on the field while juggling the voices of adults, male and female, as well as tweens. There is no doubt how any of the characters are feeling as emotions are well depicted. Sports fans, especially those who love baseball, will appreciate this work, and it will especially appeal to reluctant readers and listeners.-Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI (c) Copyright 2014. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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Review by Horn Book Review

Charismatic Ben McBain joins his favorite sidekicks (Game Changers; Playmakers) for another sports season, this time All-Star baseball. Conflict comes quickly when Ben slumps after being hit by a pitch and Justin struggles with his parent's divorce. By trying to help one another, the friends also help themselves. Lupica's captivating play-by-play details pull the reader into the games, right alongside these sports-loving characters. (c) Copyright 2014. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

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From Game Changers #3: Heavy HittersMr. Brown came running in from third, Ben's dad came down from first. When Ben looked up, Robbie was there, too, looking as if he was in more pain than Ben at the moment.Somehow Sam and Coop and Shawn were already crouched down next to Ben, Mr. Brown having to ask them to give him room.Mr. Brown said, "Let's have a look."Ben rolled up his sleeve. It was then that he saw the imprint of the ball's seams on the inside of his arm, like they'd been tattooed there.Ben's dad asked Ben if he could slowly flex his arm, see if he could make a fist and bring his arm up to his shoulder, like he was doing some kind of exercise.Ben did that."It hurts where I got hit," he said, "but not when I move it.""Good," his dad said.Ben said, "Dad, I think the place I would have picked is no place."Mr. Brown asked him to clench and unclench his left fist, then give his wrist a shake. Ben did that, too. Ben's dad gently put a thumb to Ben's arm, between the seams. "Nothing broken, not there," he said. "Would've been much worse if it got you on the elbow or wrist or hand."Ben looked at Mr. Brown and then his dad and said, "I'm not coming out.""Ice wouldn't be such a terrible idea," Mr. Brown said."What are you always saying when I guy catches one on TV?" Ben said to his dad. "Rub some dirt on it and walk it off?""That's what you say to the TV," Jeff McBain said, "not your son.""I'm not gonna rub, period," Ben said.He got up then. Excerpted from Heavy Hitters by Mike Lupica All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.

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