BLAZE UP! You do not want to miss this fast pitch, lightning of a MG novel. First off, I love that Scoob is in the story (Clean Getaway) and Mr. Bonner from RCA. Secondly, the bad ass girl power, the history, the ability be brave in the face of bigots - powerful stuff. Nic can write, but even more than that she can tell a damn good story. Obsessed with the softball/baseball background and even more in love with Uncle Jack and the mystery behind her Great-Grampy JonJon’s inability to get into the...

An awesome middle grade book by Nic Stone! There are not a lot of softball sports fiction titles out there, so this is definitely a must-have for an upper elementary and middle school collection. I enjoyed the history and mystery woven in. I really would give this a 4.5 only because it had a lot of detail and specifics about softball which I’m not totally into, so that markdown is more for my personal preference. The book itself is well written and executed!

Easily a new favorite.

Honestly, a book having softball or baseball in it immediately gives extra stars (unless the book is racist, homophobic, sexist, etc....but this book clearly isn't). Because I LOVE reading about the game I love playing and watching (makes sense).Fast Pitch is a very quick read, it's only 175 pages, but it is just so much FUN. Obviously there were some parts that were not fun, like the racism and sexism, but any time that happened, these girls totally showed anyone being racist or sexist. Best pa...

Fast Pitch is a fast-paced, poignant sports mystery about family, racism, and community. Fans of Clean Getaway will enjoy this companion title focused on Scoob’s crush Shenice. With engaging sports scenes and a diverse cast of characters, this story shines a light on the history of Black men in sports and how we can honor that legacy.Read my full review on my blog and enter a giveaway (US only, closes Sept 13).Many thanks to the publisher for a free eARC of this book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a DRC of this title for review. All opinions are my own.I loved this book. It was a lovely mix of sports action, realistic fiction, mystery, and plucky middle grade characters. If you liked Clean Getaway you have to pick this up. It is also a fantastic next read for kiddos who have sped through all of the books in Reynolds' Track series. Shenice is the captain of her softball team. And this year they have a chance to do something n...

Perfection.I loved everything about this book. The softball, the history of the Negro Leagues, the team dynamics, the sleuthing, and how it was all tied together. My favorite scene was when Cala struck out that loud mouth boy that told the girls they weren’t hitting right. While I have a clear love for baseball, softball and baseball are two different sports, and I don’t understand when people think softball is easier because it’s a “girls” sport. Did you know: Players in the Negro Leagues and t...

Low 4 Stars! *Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Children’s for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. Fast Pitch follows the story of twelve-year-old Shenice “Lightning” Lockwood as she tries to help get the first all-black fast pitch softball team to the district championship. Shenice comes from a long line of baseball players, and she also hopes to make her mark on the field being the team captain of the Firebirds. Shenice spends

What history is chosen to be preserved, and what history is paved over?In a book that shows how pervasive racism is within the United States in both the past and the present, an all-Black softball team goes to bat within their Georgia league.I really, really enjoyed this book. The friendships, Shenice herself, the Lockwood family, and the mystery with Great-Grandpa Jack and the crime he was falsely accused of committing by a jealous whyte man.And, I loved reading about softball!So much joy in bu...

This was SO GOOD!Firstly, as someone who played softball-related sports from tee-ball as a little kid up to softball all through middle school, I'm so glad that there's a book about it as opposed to the usual "we want to play baseball but the school says no girls :(". Softball isn't just baseball for girls, folks! It's its own sport and just as worthy of acknowledgement. The team dynamic felt real and you can tell that Nic Stone is passionate about the sport. But besides the softball, this is al...

A fun quick listen.

Nic Stone doesn't write a bad book. This is such a sweet read about Shenice, a middle schooler who is captain of her all-Black softball team. The team has dealt with ups and downs in who they play against -- it's mostly white, and the team definitely experiences racism -- but they don't let it hold them back from celebrating when they are on a winning streak. While on the road to championship, Shenice learns about the history and legacy of ball in her family, including learning about her great g...

Nic Stone has quickly become a favorite of mine after reading both Dear Martin and Dear Justyce. While Fast Pitch doesn’t pack quite the emotional gut punch, this story still teaches important Black history (the Negro baseball league) while also putting an all Black U13 softball team front and center! Our main character Shenice Lockwood is the team’s catcher and so much fun to root for. She’s fierce, independent, and such a great listener. It’s no wonder she’s team captain. I also loved the myst...

TW: racismShenice Lockwood is the captain of the softball team. When her uncle informs her about a crime that a relative allegedly does, Shenice decides it's time for her to act like Nancy Drew. She wants to take matters into her own hands and lead the investigation.. The importance of a legacy is discussed and I liked how Stone talks about racism in the same way that it would occur in real life. It's not in the entire book, but it will make you stop and think. This is my third Nic Stone book an...