Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book for free in exchange for my review! All opinions are my own.

I might be a 25 year old woman, but I absolutely love baseball! It's just a super fun and invigorating game -- especially when you see it live! This was a delightful children's book about baseball - perfect for both young boys and girls! Loved this one.

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Many Thanks again to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this book in exchange for my honest review.

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String and thoughtful storytelling from Heather Murphy Capps. I appreciate what this author brings to youth lit space and would gladly add this book to my classroom or school library.

I read this with my son, who is 9 and plays travel baseball. I’ll insert his feedback at the end of this review, for other kids who might be interested in his take.

I’d originally sought this book out because my kid wanted to read more baseball books. We read the description together and thought it was right up his alley.

On a surface level, this book follows a biracial boy called Wyatt as he’s trying out for a travel baseball team. However three chapters in, it’s clear that what the story really is depicting is a series of micro (and some not so micro) aggressions Wyatt experiences daily from teammates, coaches, teachers and even friends, and the way that that results in repressed anger for him. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Wyatt’s father Dominic also began exhibiting this physical embodiment of repressed anger after experiencing a trauma (taken from the real event in 1985 of the bombing of a row house in Philidelphia, of John Africa’s MOVE group). The pair go to family therapy where they learn about epigenetics, and learn ways to diffuse their anger through a series of exercises that they go on to practice together.

The book raised important conversations, and to be clear these are continuing conversations in my household (we discuss racial equity frequently). I didn’t know about the bombing so after the Author’s note at the end of the book, I spent a while reading up on the real event.

Please be aware that if your child is at all sensitive, that Dominic flashes back on his childhood friend being killed in that bombing by police. While it was absolutely in place with the rest of the book, I did not go into this book, having read this description, thinking that it would be as violent as it was. Please use your judgement about how your kid will react.

If they’re able to read it, they’ll be rewarded with an exploration of how small affronts add up, an initial intro to the idea of epigenetics, a wonderful example of working through anger, a deeply supportive friendship for the main character that he actively works on, all wrapped up in a fun baseball exterior. There is a watershed moment when the coach of the team realizes that the racism Wyatt described is actually real, and the community pushes back on the loudest progenitors of that violence.

The story is moving and important— it sparked good conversations and my kid came away from it with a deeper empathy around micro aggressions and a better idea of how to stand up for his own teammates and friends. I recommend that this book be read together with your kid, almost regardless of age, so you can help them through those difficult pieces and be available to process it with them.


An insert from my 9 year old, travel baseball playing kid, with whom I buddy read this book:

"This book was really fun to read. I thought the baseball was a little odd sometimes (like when the bases are loaded with two outs and Wyatt and his dad are yelling that the play is at home, when really the play would be at any base. If Asher was in right field, he'd normally try to make the play at first or second, but not third or home), but in general I think the book was really good. I didn't like Asher, but I really liked the friendship between Wyatt and Dallas. I'm not really a big fan of the smoke element. It's a cool plot but it just felt odd to me. I just wish we were talking about Wyatt's anger in a different way. It was really cool to have the flashbacks throughout the book, because it helped me understand Wyatt's dad a lot more. I learned about epigenetics and what happened at the MOVE house in 1985 from this book. I like history a lot, so that was cool. I think people who like baseball, sports, and are interested in learning more about microaggressions would enjoy this book."

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy and the opportunity to discuss these important topics with my kid.

What worked:
The story is told through the eyes of Wyatt which helps readers experience his frustrations, determination, and anger. Unfairness and racism are large issues and he has a difficult time dealing with them. However, the coach constantly criticizes Wyatt and singles him out for doing things that other players get away with. Then, another student makes racial comments that demean Wyatt’s heritage and are reminiscent of bigots from decades ago. He tries to handle the insults but his best friend Dallas talks him out of making rash decisions. Being inside Wyatt’s mind allows readers to see the challenges faced by the targets of prejudice. Wyatt is the target of hurtful, cruel comments but society probably won’t understand if he acts on his furious feelings. He doesn’t tell his parents the full story of what’s happening to him and he slowly withdraws into his own misery. His father has issues from his childhood that still haunt him, but like Wyatt, he keeps painful memories locked up inside him.
The Rule of Three. Wyatt has a three-part plan for success and it begins with playing for the only traveling baseball team in town. Also, he faces tricky decisions throughout the book and the author shares three different scenarios he might face depending on what he chooses. Usually, one is ignoring the situation, two is what he wants to do, and three is what might be socially “acceptable”. The narrator describes Wyatt’s three different levels of anger with level three being when he loses control of his emotions. Needless to say, he reaches this level a few times which results in his body emitting clouds of smoke. This family curse is embarrassing and Wyatt can’t figure out any way to calm his emotions. The author includes another three-part plan to help Wyatt and his father control their reactions to stress.
Wyatt’s relationship with his best friend Dallas presents a curious situation. Dallas is an excellent pitcher and she also wants to make the travel team. She’s a descendant of indigenous people who had their land taken away so is hurt by racism too. Dallas can empathize with Wyatt’s troubles and offers him support and advice. However, Wyatt gets upset when she won’t go along with his ideas which she thinks will only make matters worse. Wyatt begins to push her away as his emotions spiral out of control and readers will hope for a reconciliation. It takes him a while to realize he needs help and support to begin rebuilding his life.
What didn’t work as well:
It’s clear that Dallas is Wyatt’s best friend but his relationships with Asher and Cabot aren’t as well defined. Cabot is supposed to be a good friend too but that isn’t developed as well. Asher is more of an annoying acquaintance who provides conflict in Wyatt’s life. It’s not clear why he’s tolerated.
The final verdict:
This book offers an innovative scenario concerning racism and the conflicting feelings it creates. The inclusion of a strange, humiliating reaction to emotional trauma adds a fascinating subplot. Overall, I recommend you give this thought-provoking book a shot.

When I began reading Wyatt's story in The Rule of Three, I was transported back to my middle school years and some of the bullying I endured. I almost quit reading when some of the upsetting incidents were described, but I kept reading hoping that all would be better by the end of the story. Thankfully, Heather Murphy Capps does a wonderful job with Wyatt's character arc through some pretty tough bullying, and Wyatt's best friend Dallas doesn't disappoint either. This will be a great addition to our middle school collection. I'm curious to see how the readers will respond.

Insanely creative take on a timeless tale of feeling like an outcast for reasons outside your control. Deals with sensitive topics in an age appropriate but no less powerful way. Will encourage kids to approach race, class, difference in general through a new lens.

I will be encouraging the educators I work with to order this book for their classrooms.