The Sweet Spot

A thrilling and nuanced baseball story proving that determination and compassion can coexist.
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

A strong choice for school and public libraries, this is a positive, engaging story for upper middle graders and a welcome addition to baseball fiction collections.
—School Library Journal (starred review)

Measured prose balances pulse-pounding baseball scenes with a thoughtful exploration of family dynamics and personal growth, presenting an earnest story anchored by . . . a protagonist striving to do right by himself and others.
—Publishers Weekly

Those looking for a heartfelt tale of growth will appreciate the tone. Suggest this to fans of Mike Lupica and Donna Barba Higuera’s Lupe Wong Won’t Dance (2020).
—Booklist

Baseball fans will appreciate Vickers’s (Half Moon Summer, rev. 7/23) talent for describing the action on the field and the ups and downs of team cohesion, and even nonfans will come away with an understanding of why the game means so much to Trip. [Trip’s] family is also a highlight with complex but loving relationships that both challenge and support him.
—The Horn Book