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Fast Pitch

Nic Stone

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Nov 11, 2021 Danielle rated it really liked it

Shelves: middle-grade, social-justice, audiobooks-read, contemporary, project-lit-mg

"If you can't find information about a thing on the internet, is said thing even real?"

Leave it to Nic Stone to publish a middle grade book that is pitched about softball but ends up containing so much historical information that I wasn't sure I was reading the right book. I'm always in awe of Stone's ability to effortlessly weave in historical knowledge that isn't well-known and will surely leave some readers doing a deep dive into these historical events. In this case, the Negro Leagues, which "If you can't find information about a thing on the internet, is said thing even real?"

Leave it to Nic Stone to publish a middle grade book that is pitched about softball but ends up containing so much historical information that I wasn't sure I was reading the right book. I'm always in awe of Stone's ability to effortlessly weave in historical knowledge that isn't well-known and will surely leave some readers doing a deep dive into these historical events. In this case, the Negro Leagues, which is a historical topic that isn't covered nearly enough in history books.

Twelve year old Shenice Lockwood is the team captain of her softball team, the Firebirds. Her team has had an incredible year and now they are working towards competing at the Fastpitch World Series. Winning means a trophy and $10,000 in prize money. Most of the other teams are rich and white and Shenice wants nothing more than to show that Black girls can also play softball well. Besides softball, Shenice also spends time with her Uncle Jack who is older and has dementia. She hasn't spent much time with her Uncle Jack and isn't quite sure what to expect from him. When Uncle Jack reveals to Shenice that a family crime that has plagued her family for generations may have actually been a set-up, Shenice decides she's going to do what it takes to figure out what really happened. As Shenice digs deeper into the past, she finds that she isn't able to focus on softball in the same ways as she did in the past. Along the way, Shenice discovers the Negro Leagues and just how much racism was still alive just a few generations before.

This book is perfect for middle grade readers. It's short but moves quickly and packs a powerful punch to those readers who enjoy historical mysteries. I loved that Scoob from Clean Getaway was in this book as Shenice's crush. I always knew that Stone could write a solid male character but it was a privilege to read this book from Shenice's perspective. I mean, is there anything Nic Stone can't do? She is such a talented writer who isn't afraid to push boundaries with what is "acceptable" in literature. We are so lucky to live in a world with Nic Stone - and she has no intention of slowing down anytime soon. This is a quick read but one that is well worth the time it takes to read.

TW: racism ...more

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Sep 07, 2021 Jen rated it it was amazing

Shelves: childrens

Fast Pitch by Nic Stone fits a lot of great things into a quick read. There are some great softball scenes, good character beats, and a deeper historical mystery that makes this so much more than just a sports book.

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Apr 05, 2022 Laura added it

Nic Stone is just so fantastic. This is a quick read that is pitch perfect on sports and also a historical mystery.

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Jun 12, 2021 Katie marked it as to-read

Aug 17, 2021 Meredith Pocius marked it as to-read

Nov 03, 2021 Sarah Jackson marked it as to-read

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