Soar by Joan Bauer

Most of you who read this blog know me well enough to know that I don't really like sports books, although you have also recommended some fantastic ones to me in the past few years.  Soar by Joan Bauer (Lexile: 510; Interest Level: Grades 3-7) is probably the best one I have read so far!

Jeremiah is about 12 years old, maybe a little older.  He isn't sure because he doesn't know anything about himself prior to being found by Walt when he was about 9 months old. He loves baseball and robots, and seems mostly like a normal 12 year old boy, except for the heart transplant he got when he was 10.  

When his dad, Walt, takes a brief job in Hillcrest, Ohio, Jeremiah begs to go with him because Hillcrest is a baseball town, and he wants to be part of that atmosphere.  He is surprised when he arrives to find that more of the town are pro-winning than pro-baseball.  When scandal hits the high school, it may be up to Jeremiah to save baseball for the whole town.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves baseball; has moved to a new school;  has ever experienced serious health problems; or who just likes a good, positive, feel-good comeback story.  Reading this book will definitely help you root for the underdog! 2016-2017 Indian Paintbrush Nominee. (304 p.)

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