The Sweet Spot
A home run of a novel about baseball and belonging, from the acclaimed author of Half Moon Summer.
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“A thrilling and nuanced baseball story proving that determination and compassion can coexist.”
Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
Twelve-year-old Trip’s summer to-do list has exactly one thing on it: win the local Little League championship. But then Dad unexpectedly deploys overseas just before the season starts. And Sam (short for Samantha) joins the team, which changes more than just the line-up.
Suddenly nothing feels right at home or on the field—the two places he’s always belonged.
The season isn’t what he imagined, but Trip sticks with it. Until news about Dad leaves him convinced that he has to choose between family and baseball. Feeling more unsure than ever about who he’s supposed to be and where he belongs, Trip makes an impossible decision. But what if he doesn’t need to choose at all?
Fast-paced and player-focused, The Sweet Spot highlights the challenges of being a passionate athlete and a compassionate person at the same time.
Praise for The Sweet Spot
- A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
“Humorous, honest, and heartfelt, this novel explores responsibility, loyalty, and standing up for what is right, while affirming that passion and compassion do not have to be at odds. . . A warm, fast-paced novel about baseball, identity, and belonging.”
School Library Journal (starred review)
“A thrilling and nuanced baseball story proving that determination and compassion can coexist.”
Kirkus Reviews (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
“Baseball fans will appreciate Vickers’s 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. His family is also a highlight with complex but loving relationships that both challenge and support him.”