Baseball season is in full swing. The College World Series just concluded. The yearly Little League World Series is in August and of course major league baseball is in the middle of their season. Perfect time for another new baseball story.

About 7 years ago, a neighborhood parent contacted me wondering what baseball books were available for her baseball obsessed nine-year-old son. I referred her to one of my previous posts with the title NINE BEST BASEBALL BOOKS for MIDDLE GRADE. Her son went through that list in short order and wanted more. I continued each year to review at least one more baseball title.

That baseball crazy kid is now 16 and playing high school ball. He no longer reads middle grade baseball books, but my selection for this season would have been one he’d have liked.

Marcus Stroman is a Chicago Cubs pitcher and he co-wrote this autobiographical account about a younger version of himself. This includes facing early morning throwing practice with Dad and also playing basketball. His parents are divorced, but they still communicate and support their children. Marcus and his older sister spend time at each parent’s home, which is often the case for separated families.

Marcus is focused on becoming the best he can be in his pitching performance even though he is a bit on the short side. Anxiety takes center stage as Marcus worries about an assessment he must complete to make the Spring team. Little things are bothering him more and failure is a possibility. Mom comes to the rescue and talks young Marcus into seeing a mental health coach.

Although there is not much baseball action in THE GRIP, young readers will align with Marcus and his anxiety issues. The plot comes to an abrupt end, but more is on the way with THE SPIN due out next week.

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT THE GRIP

1. Stress can be a huge issue in youth sports. Seeing how it was dealt with here should help kids that are pursuing their passion.
2. Knowing that Marcus Stroman did indeed fulfill his dream of pitching in the majors brings even more believability to the events portrayed here.
3. The details of a split family and Marcus being bullied fit in nicely with the plot.
4. Lessons of practice, practice, practice and believing in oneself will be something readers remember and hopefully follow in their own lives.
5. The mental side of sports is addressed and covered in a way that won’t scare away readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Marcus Stroman was born and raised in Medford, New York, where he attended Patchogue-Medford High School. Drafted by the Washington Nationals in the eighteenth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft, Marcus opted to delay the start of his professional career and instead chose to attend Duke University to further his education. Marcus has pitched for the Toronto Blue Jays and the New York Mets and now plays for the Chicago Cubs. Off the field, Marcus is passionate about his work with the community through his charitable foundation HDMH (Height Doesn’t Measure Heart), where he helps kids achieve their own dreams and to instill confidence in themselves. Through his idea of believing in yourself more than believing in what anyone says about you, Marcus strives to be a positive role model both on and off the field. Marcus has always believed in himself and has proven all his critics wrong at every step of his journey. He is known for his determination not only on the field, but in bettering himself off the field and building his confidence in whatever he sets out to do. He hopes to instill that same confidence in kids.

Samantha Thornhill

A Trinidadian-born writer and performance poet, Samantha weaves words to create a uniquely authentic expression that has garnered tremendous international appeal. This engaging performer has been sought after by festival organizers from South Africa to Hungary to present her original works to diverse audiences, and she frequently lectures at universities across the US.

A language arts educator, Samantha has served as writer in residence at the Bronx Academy of Letters, where she taught poetry, fiction, non fiction and journalism to students in grades 9-12. She has also served as a writer in residence at The City School of the Arts where she taught middle school creative writing. Additionally, for a decade, she taught poetry and performance to actors in training at the Juilliard School, where she also served on the audition board for the drama division.

Previous writing projects include a chapter book based on the Everybody Hates Chris television series, as well as a picture book featuring her ode to the folk icon Odetta, which received starred reviews in Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and elsewhere. Presently, Samantha is working on her debut poetry collection, her seventh children’s book, and her spiritual consulting business.

Samantha’s writing prowess has awarded her with a Henry Hoyns Fellowship to the University of Virginia, travel grants to Trinidad and Cuba, as well as competitive writing residences to the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown, Squaw Valley, Cave Canem and Hedgebrook. In 2012, she was one of 13 scribes featured on Bill Moyers’ website as a poet, under 40, to watch.

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COMMENTS ARE WELCOME BELOW.

BE SURE TO ALSO VISIT THE OTHER BLOGGERS ON TODAY’S MARVELOUS MIDDLE GRADE MONDAY!