The Sweet Spot

by Stacy Barnett Mozer

When thirteen-year-old Sam Barrette’s baseball coach tells her that her attitude's holding her back, she wants to hit him in the head with a line drive. Why shouldn’t she have an attitude? As the only girl playing in the 13U league, she’s had to listen to boys and people in the stands screaming things like “Go play softball,” all season, just because she’s a girl. Her coach barely lets her play, even though she’s one of the best hitters on the team.

All stakes now rest on Sam’s performance at baseball training camp. But the moment she arrives, miscommunication sets the week up for potential disaster. Placed at the bottom with the weaker players, she will have to work her way up to A league, not just to show Coach that she can be the best team player possible, but to prove to herself that she can hold a bat with the All-Star boys.

Genres: Middle Grade

212 pages, Paperback

First published June 11, 2015

About the author

Stacy Barnett Mozer is a middle grade author, a book blogger, and an elementary school teacher. Stacy started writing novels when one of her third grade classes told her there was no way a real author who wrote real books could possibly revise as much as she asked them to revise. She’s been revising her own novels every since. Stacy is one of the co-Regional Advisors for New England SCBWI. She is also the founder of Sporty Girl Books, a blog for anyone who loves to watch, play, read, and write about women and girls in sports.

THE PERFECT TRIP is the companion novel to THE SWEET SPOT, which released from Spellbound River in March 2016.

Reviews

[Trevor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, light, uplifting read for all genders--especially for anyone who has ever faced down a discouraging coach or teammate.

[Kimberly Sabatini · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an important book for girls and boys. In a world where two former female West Point graduates can kick butt in Ranger School, there is NO REASON why a girl who loves baseball and plays as well (or possibly better than the boys) shouldn't be allowed--EXPECTED-- to play. In Mozer's novel, the sweet spot is that place on the baseball bat that's just right--allowing the batter to hit it out of the park. But there's also a sweet spot in life and it's when EVERY PERSON is in the place where they get to be the best version of themselves. Mozer's book isn't an easy fix. It's hard to figure out who and what you're supposed to be with other people throwing aroung ignorant labels, sterotypes and abusive behavior. The Sweet Spot reminds us that even though it isn't easy, one of the best ways to attack adversity is with determination and a positive attitude. I'm so delighted to know there are authors like Mozer out there making sure that all kids are represented on the shelves. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

[Caitlyn Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am writing this review for Dr. Syke's class, READ 3307 02. The Sweet Spot is a wonderful book for children in the 5th-8th grade. Written by Stacy Barnett Mozer, it is a book for girls in the middle school grades. The presentation of the book is made with water color, which truly attracts the reader's eye. The main character is a girl named Sam Barette. Sam is strong, and interested in playing for the boy's baseball team one day. Her athletic ability is above and beyond the norm for her age. She is taunted throughout the story by men and boys who think she belongs in softball. The theme of the story is coming of age, as well as standing up for your passions. It's a coming of age book about a girl with a boy best friend who begins to become more than a friend. With a sensitive and well written tone, this book will help guide girls through the difficulties of becoming assertive and passionate in a man's world. However, the book can be seen as controversial to some, and so it must be read with discretion.

[Madison Truesdale]

The book, The Sweet Spot, is about a girl named Sam has a passion. Her passion is baseball. She has played baseball all her life, with mostly boys. Sometimes there were a girl or two on her team but mostly all all boys. She was a very good player two, and when she registers for a baseball camp, under the name Sam, they assume she is a boy and almost don't let her in. Meanwhile, her best friend Mike, says he thinks she can't succeed in baseball because of her gender.
I would defiantly recommend this book to all people that love sports like me. I really loved this book because it made me understand that things like this do happen and not all people have the same respect for different genders. I love sport and I can comprehend the struggle that she has when people put her on the "B" league even thought she is the best player there.

[Kristen Pham · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sweet Spot is a realistic look at the obstacles one 13-year-old girl faces when she goes after her dream to be a baseball player in a sport dominated by guys. The heroine, Sam, is lovable but flawed, a completely believable and relatable character. The dominant theme of the book is definitely how Sam overcomes the sexism she faces at an all-boys baseball camp, but other subtle themes about family and friendship give the book a richness that make it a truly compelling read. The authentic writing style is entirely appropriate for a middle-grade audience in terms of language, content and complexity, but as an adult reader I was completely entertained. This is a book that I plan to read with my daughter when she gets a little older.

[Adam · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Sweet Spot is a fantastic story about a young girl who overcomes a gender boundary that shouldn't exist in the first place. In a 2015 world, it's an empowering story that girls AND boys should read and learn from. My girls will definitely hear about how Sam Barrette wouldn't take no for an answer and how she proved herself extremely valuable time and time again. It supports what I always tell them: you can do or be anything you want to. Don't let anyone try to ruin your dreams. Sam Barrette must've heard me say that. :-)

[Paige Shockley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I read this book from start to finish in one day because I couldn't put it down. My daughter read it and she recommended it to me and I loved it as well. I love the character development throughout the book and it was very easy to follow right from the start (a refreshing concept after the last book I read). It's a great book for anyone to read who isn't quite sure where they fit in any circumstance or just a great feel good book. Highly recommend! Can't wait for more books from this author!

[Jennifer Bohnhoff · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Sweet Spot is a great book for athletic middle school and upper elementary girls. The main character is a strong girl interested in making it in the mostly boy's world of baseball. She is taunted and demeaned by men and boys who think she belongs in softball. It's also a coming of age book about a girl whose relationship with her best friend, who just happens to be a boy, is changing. Lovely and sensitive, this book will help guide girls through the difficulties of asserting themselves and becoming leaders in a man's world.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enjoyable story from start to finish. THE SWEET SPOT is an engrossing story about a girl who plays baseball-- and the challenges she faces just for being a girl. One would think that in 2015 we wouldn't need a book like this-- but we do! The characters and situation are very believable. I would highly recommend this book to young sports fans (both female and male)-- but also to anyone who has faced daunting obstacles.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! There is so much to love about this book. First off, it's about baseball, the one sport I love to watch. Second, Stacey Mozer has created authentic characters who grow and mature through the book.
Sam Barrette loves baseball and is also very good at it. She's the only girl on her team and her coach rides her hard and complains about her attitude. When she goes away to baseball camp she has to deal with more misogyny, but manages to overcome these obstacles to become an even better player. The bit of romance is just right. I can't wait to read the next in the series!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review with teaching tools: http://www.unleashingreaders.com/?p=1...

I wish I was Sam. I love baseball, but like most girls, softball is really the only option. I right away had a direct connection with Sam because she was living a dream I had when I was younger. But I also know how hard it is to cross gender barriers. As a “tomboy” you are constantly questioned and made fun of, so to be so out in the spotlight, Sam definitely feels she needs to prove herself. As a female, there are so many moments in this book that seem too real and really made me angry: she is called emotional just because she is passionate, people act as if she is fragile and can’t take care of herself, and her talent is constantly questioned. And when she stands up for herself, she is told to take a joke or calm down. Even outside of the scenario of playing baseball, these are things that woman are going to here–from males and other females!

But in addition to this too-real reflection of life, Sam’s story will hit home with anyone who has tried to do something that others thought they couldn’t. Or anyone who has been somewhere that they don’t fit in. Or anyone who has been underestimated in general.