Super Slugger (Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars #2)

by Cal Ripken (Author) Kevin Cowherd (Illustrator)

Super Slugger (Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars #2)
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Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars
cms Common Sense Media Review
Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He's overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland., aka Baltimore, where he's a target (okay, a big target) for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he's competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody's head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody's school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?
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School Library Journal

Gr 4-7—Middle-schooler Cody, new in Baltimore, loves all sports, particularly baseball, and he's good at them despite the fact that he's a bit overweight (he prefers the term "burly"). He uses humor to make people like him, which works for the most part but not with bully Dante, who loses his third-base starting position to Cody. There's a mystery to solve and plenty of exciting baseball action as the team plays for an undefeated season and the championship. The various elements work well together to create a fast-moving story, and the characterizations of the parents and coach are great. These adults are supportive and helpful, giving good advice and practical lessons. The coach really has no ego. His philosophy: "Please don't let me screw this up." Another well-developed character is Jessica, Cody's athletic neighbor, who becomes his good friend and defender. She is smart and can hold her own against the boys in a baseball story. Ripkin and Cowherd have created a definite winner for anyone with the slightest interest in baseball, sports in general, those adjusting to a new city or school, being overweight in middle school, or just wanting to be entertained by a good story.—Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

When Cody Parker arrives at a new school, he needs to prove that his burly body is good for more than just mocking. To that end, he joins the baseball team—but his plan may be working to well. His spectacular performances start to show up the team’s bully. Mixing issues of self-image, bullying, and sports, Ripken and Cowherd provide an enjoyable and exciting story that narrator Stephen Hoye masterfully executes, deftly handling both the young protagonist’s internal life and exciting play on the baseball field. Hoye’s deep, powerful voice may seem like an odd choice for a young adult novel, but he perfectly captures the emotions and angst of young Cody. But where Hoye really excels is his narration of Cody’s baseball games. The authors craft baseball scenes with great dramatic flair, and Hoye executes the play-by-play with the skill of any professional announcer. Ages 9–up. A Hyperion hardcover. (Mar.)

Copyright 2012 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Cal Ripken
Cal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career (1981-2001). Nicknamed "The Iron Man" for his relentless work ethic and reliability on the field, Ripken is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons. He was a 19-time All Star and is considered to be one of the best shortstops professional baseball has ever seen. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Since his retirement Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nuture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level. His Cal Ripkin Baseball Division is a division of the Babe Ruth League and welcomes players ages 4-12. Cal currently lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.


Kevin Cowherd has been a writer for the Baltimore Sun since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the Los Angeles Time - Washington Post news service, and is the author of Last Call at the 7-Eleven, a book of selected writings published by Bancroft Press. In 1990 he was honored by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors for excellence in feature writing. He currently writes a sports column and blog for the Baltimore Sun. He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781423140047
Lexile Measure
810
Guided Reading Level
T
Publisher
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date
February 19, 2013
Series
Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars
BISAC categories
JUV039230 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Bullying
JUV032010 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Baseball
Library of Congress categories
Schools
Baseball
Theft
Stealing
Mystery and detective stories
Moving, Household
Middle schools
Bullies
Baseball stories
Overweight persons
Baltimore (Md.)

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