Fast Pitch by Nic Stone -- Restarting March 6th 2022

[Jenn]

From Nic Stone, the New York Times bestselling author of Clean Getaway, comes a challenging and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a softball player looking to prove herself on and off the pitch.

Shenice Lockwood has her eyes set on the Fastpitch World Series. As team captain, she'd like nothing more than to help her girls take home the trophy and the $10,000 prize money. And as one of the few brown faces on the field, it'd be a personal triumph to show-up her rich, white opponents.

But Shenice's focus gets shaken when her Uncle Jack reveals that a family crime may have been a set-up all along. Shenice will stop at nothing to uncover the past. The closer she gets to the truth, though, the further she gets from her goals for the future.

From the New York Times bestselling author of Clean Getaway, Nic Stone seamlessly pairs the history of the Negro Leagues with the story of a contemporary, Black tween determined to blaze a trail of her own.

[Katie]

I'm going to start this one tomorrow! :)

[Katie]

Chapter 5- (view spoiler)[ I love the softball theme! And I was a catcher myself, so I'm loving this already! Shenice and her family are great, and I'm curious to find out more about Uncle Jack "knowing who set up his brother..." (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Chapter 8- (view spoiler)[ "Jonjon" is the great grandpa, and according to the newspaper article clipping was part of a scandal.

Shenice seems to be a little interested in her friend, Scoob! And all of these kids seem so much older than 12. I'm enjoying this, and I'm interested in the mystery behind the scandal, but these kids seem closer to 14 to me. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Chapter 12- (view spoiler)[ With Uncle Jack dying, Shenice is under a time constraint to figure out more about the missing glove! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Finished- (view spoiler)[ I enjoyed this quite a bit! Maybe not as much as Nic Stone's YA books, but I think my students will be pulled into sports theme of this book, but will stay interested in the story because of the mystery in this book.

I liked Shenice's character and her dedication to her team. I think any young athlete will relate to the pressure even 12 year olds feel when they play a team sport.

There were parts that were unbelievable for me, but I don't think middle grade readers will really pick up on these issues. Even though the pacing was very good for young readers, I'm not really sure how much of this ending I'll remember a few months from now. Everything wrapped up in the last chapter, so it felt a little rushed for me, but it was a cute ending. (hide spoiler)]

[Saar The Book owl]

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Date changed. Restarting March 6th 2022. Happy Reading ☺

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[Brandee]

Chapter 4 - Already LOVE this book. First the whole racial aspect of an all African American girl's softball team in a conference with not much POC representation is such a great idea for a book! But I am also loving this family dynamic and all of this mystery behind the family story. I can't wait to see what comes of this.

[Brandee]

Chapter 6 - LOVING Uncle Jack! I knew there was something more to this trunk and now I can't WAIT to hear more. Like we are solving the mystery with her!

[Brandee]

Starting reading this and wrote some notes so this, I think, will be my last post until I keep reading lol

Chapter 10- I really like what her teacher said about finding out the truth. He has no idea just how right he was. And I love her friend Scoob! He seems to be like her voice of reason and tells her exactly what she needs to hear. Oh boy! This is one that is hard to put down. Getting pieces of the puzzle in each chapter. I am reading this while I work as well and I am actually hating when I have to put it away and get back to work!

[Dr. Andy]

ch 4 (view spoiler)[ I am loving Shenice and her family! Having a ton of fun with the softball team too. I never played softball but was always fascinated by it. Also Britt-Marie is definitely named after Nic's real life friend and that is just sooo cute. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Brandee wrote: "Chapter 6 - LOVING Uncle Jack! I knew there was something more to this trunk and now I can't WAIT to hear more. Like we are solving the mystery with her!"

He's so interesting!! I hope Shenice gets to talk to him again

[Dr. Andy]

Brandee wrote: "Starting reading this and wrote some notes so this, I think, will be my last post until I keep reading lol

Chapter 10- I really like what her teacher said about finding out the truth. He has no id..."

Scoob is actually the MC from !

[Dr. Andy]

ch 10 (view spoiler)[ This mystery is driving me wild! I want to know who the heck wronged her great grandpa or was it two greats? I hope Shenice solves it. But she also needs to get her head in the game. I want her team to win so badly. (hide spoiler)]

[Dr. Andy]

Finished (view spoiler)[ I loved this book so much! Nic's books always put a smile on my face. I hope she gets to continue writing in this universe! I want a sequel where Shenice's team become the undefeated champions because they so deserve it. Also loved the cameo's of Nic's friends in this one! (hide spoiler)]

[Brandee]

I am so sorry. I finished this and got so distracted this last week or so. I will post something tomorrow and reply back to you :)

[Brandee]

Finished (view spoiler)[ ABSOLUTELY LOVED THIS BOOK! I was really rooting for her team to win but I am glad that she solved the mystery and made everything right by her family name! Sometimes I don't like books coming to like a perfect little bow but I really enjoyed how this one turned out. Shenice is such a wonderful character with ambition, determination, and sass! Can't wait to recommend this book to my students! (view spoiler)[ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Brandee]

Andy wrote: "Brandee wrote: "Starting reading this and wrote some notes so this, I think, will be my last post until I keep reading lol

Chapter 10- I really like what her teacher said about finding out the tru..."

OMG!!! I totally didn't realize that! That makes so much more sense now!! :)

[Brandee]

Andy wrote: "ch 10 [spoilers removed]"

This is how I felt the WHOLE time. I didn't want to put it down because I wanted her to solve the mystery but then I was also almost screaming at the book like "get it together, you have games to win!" lol Such a quick and fun read!