I loved this book. I loved the bond of the family, the softball, the mystery, the friendships, the references to music and books that I grew up with. I could see it leading to great discussions on racism and The Negro League.

*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.

Low 4 Stars!

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 her days studying hard at school, and practicing even harder at softball practices, but after the death of her grandpa, she stumbles across a family scandal that involved her great-grandfather JonJon, which causes her to be more distant at school and practice. She learns from her uncle Jack, that JonJon was innocent of the crime he was suspected of committing, and she sets out to help clear his name. But with her being pulled in all sorts of directions, Shenice starts to feel the pressure from her team, teachers, friends, and family.

This was another good book by Nic Stone, and my first time reading one of her books at the middle grade level. I still prefer her YA books over this middle grade book, but I think my students will be pulled into the sports theme and will stay interested in the story because of the mystery. The author was able to integrate history into a modern sports theme book which middle grade readers will be drawn to. Even people who don’t play softball will still enjoy this book due to the history and conversation topics that will be brought up with the Confederate Flag, racial issues from the 30’s, segregation, and social injustice. Even with these heavy topics, this book still makes it approachable for readers between the ages of 9-12.

I think students will find this book engaging and will find Shenice’s character very relatable. She is dedicated to her team. I think any young athlete will relate to the pressure even 12-year-olds feel when they play a team sport.

The only downsides for me, was that parts of this book were pretty unbelievable, but I think middle grader readers won’t really notice those issues. I also felt like Shenice seemed more like a 14-year-old in this book. Even though I thought the ending was cute, it happened so fast that I can see myself forgetting a lot of this ending within a few months.

Overall, this will be a grand slam with my younger students! For personal tastes, I prefer the harder hitting YA books by this author but would still recommend this to young readers. Especially those that enjoy sports themes and/or historical fiction.

Nic Stone proves once again why she is a master storyteller. As a former softball player, I loved everything about this book and I devoured it in one day. As she did in Clean Getaway, Nic Stone weaves in historic facts. This is a perfect middle grade novel. Look for it to come out at the end of August. Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC.

Nic Stone's newest novel, "Fast Pitch," just might be her best middle grade book yet. This book follows Shenice, an incredible softball player with her eyes set on a national championship, a first-time win by an entire black softball team. Through her struggles and competitive attitude, Shenice uncovers a family secret surrounding the Negro Baseball League, so dark that it has been tightly boxed away. Through her attempts to solve this mystery, Shenice finds even more than what she was looking for- she finds what it truly means to be herself.

Another great book by Nic Stone. Fast Pitch is a heartwarming story about a softball player, Shenice Lockwood who comes from a family of baseball players. As the captain of her team she has been working hard to help get her team to the championship until she is thrown a curveball.

This book is about way more than softball. I can’t wait to add it to my classroom. This book comes out August 31st.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Shaniece comes from a long line of baseball players--really good baseball players that could have made it to the pros if they had not been black. When Shaniece learns of a family scandal that involved her great grandpa JonJon and then learns from her Uncle Jack that JonJon was innocent of his crime and he can prove it, she is determined to do whatever it takes to clear her great grandpa's name.

Shaniece also happens to be the captain of her all-black softball team, the Firebirds. Now that they are in the section finals, she is determined to take her team to state to be the first all-black team to take home the title.

This was a short book with a relevant message that is suitable for middle grade children--just good, clean literature. I loved this journey for Shaniece and her bravery and determination was admirable. She is a strong black protagonist with a beautiful, supportive family that you will easily fall in love with.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. This will not be the last one I read from this author.

LEGACY!! I love that the love of batball is passed down from generation to generation in this family! Shenice "Lightning" Lockwood is a fantastic character; a typical 12 year old who struggles with decisions about family, friends and being captain of her softball team. The lessons on Negro League Baseball and racism are definitely classroom worthy discussions! I enjoyed the mystery, family love and reading about a fantastic softball team!
Thanks NetGalley!

Thanks to #NetGalley for the early release.
Shenice is the captain of her U12 and all African American softball team. Her dream is to lead her team to the championship, but some curveballs are thrown her way. It is great to see such a positive story about young women of color trying to make a difference and participating in extra curriculars that they are normally brushed off as not having any talent in. I look forward to recommending this book to my students.

I felt like this book just needed more. It seemed to end a bit abruptly. I liked the story but was left wanting more.

Shenice is on the top. Captain of the first all Black softball team in the south and ready to take on the World Series. She knows that ball playing has been in her family for generations, but one secret has stayed hidden for years. Why did her Grandfather never make it out of the Negro league and into the ML? When she meets her Uncle Jack for the first time, she learns of the accusation that ended his career and is determined to correct the story and give her Grandfather the legacy he deserves. This story blends history, mystery, and the continued racism that Black students face today. This is certain to be a huge hit for middle grade readers

Thank you to #NetGalley and Random House Children's for allowing me the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Fast Pitch by Nic Stone. This middle grades novel will be published on August 31, 2021. All opinions are my own.

Shenice Lockwood is the captain of the Fulton Firebirds, the first all Black fast pitch softball team in their league. It's her goal to take her team all the way to the regional championship. Normally she is hyper-focused, but just as her team has districts and regionals in sight, she uncovers a family mystery. Bat ball, as her brother calls it, is in her blood. Her father played college ball, her grandfather played, and so did her great-grandfather. When her great-uncle Jack reveals that a career-ending, family name ruining crime ended her great-grandfather's career and shot at the major leagues, Shenice becomes determined to solve the crime and clear his name. But, she better do it quickly before her secrets ruin the Firebird's chance at victory.

This fast-paced novel is a combination of realistic fiction, sports fiction, and mystery. There aren't a lot of sports fiction books featuring girls as their protagonist or softball, so I really appreciate this book for that. Shenice is super relatable and likeable. There is a huge focus on discovering the truth and family. The book also has some intense and thought-provoking scenes that could lead to some great discussions about social justice, racism, and inequality. I really enjoyed the mystery element of this book. I will admit that I was expecting a little more sports action, but I wasn't super disappointed as though her team isn't the main focal point baseball still is in a round about way. This book will be a great addition to any middle grade classroom library.

Fabulous book! Perfect for an early middle grade audience. Not too long, but full of plot AND heart. Hand to fans of Clean Getaway, The Sandlot, or any kick butt girls who don't take no for an answer. Nic Stone middle grade just might be my favorite genre! :)

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for allowing me to read this advance copy of Fast Pitch.

This is a great middle grade book. Shenice is the captain of her black female softball team. They're on their way to the championship but she finds out a secret about her grandfather. She sets out to expose the truth and clear her grandfather's name. He was baseball great, "Jumpin" JonJon Lockwood, who was kicked out of the Atlanta Black Crackers team and accused of stealing. She's of course torn between leading her team to win but revealing the truth.

Nic Stone is a wonderful author and students will be sure to enjoy Fast Pitch. I definitely plan to add this title to the library collection.

Nic Stone is back with her 2nd Middle Grade novel! This one was just as good as Clean Getaway - and Scoob makes an appearance as Shenice's friend (and becoming her crush). 12 year old Shenice is the captain of her all-Black softball team and they are fighting their way to make history at the playoffs. All her life she's heard about her Great Grampy JonJon and how he was kicked out of baseball for a crime he was accused of (that he never committed) Shenice becomes distracted and gets clues from her dying Great Uncle whom she just met. Between making the championships, to solving this mystery, and clearing her Great Grampy's name, Shenice has a lot to overcome and prove!

Really enjoyed the latest from Nic Stone. The story was great, and I loved Shenice. The thing I was hoping would happen happened: Scoob from Clean Getaway made an appearance! I loved the legacy of the Lockwood family and how quickly Shenice was willing to almost drop everything to help her family.

1) This cover is everything!!!
2) Black Girl Magic meets The Sandlot!!!!!! (Squeal)
3. History mystery.

Nic Stone is amazing! And I want to know if I can read this and watch the Sandlot for my next Narrative Unit??!?!?

There's not as much sports fiction for girls out there and this one hit it out of the park. I loved how it tied into Clean Getaway and similarly explored Black history in Atlanta, this time with a focus on the integration of baseball. My only complaint is there is a plot problem when Shenice's phone dies in the abandoned house but then she is able to call her mom when she returns to the practice field, especially since no one else is there. Overall, a great read!

This book hit a home run straight to my heart! I was leaking tears by the end because these characters made me love them and their stories so much. I can’t wait to share this one with my students!

Fast Pitch by Nic Stone was a quick, fun read. Shenice lives and breathes softball. She is on the first all black softball team in her region and they are trying to make history. Then Shenice gets sidetracked by a mystery that her great-uncle asks her to solve about her great-grandfather. He played baseball in the Negro League and was almost drafted into the MLB before he was accused of stealing a Joe DiMaggio glove. While trying to clear her great-grandfather’s name, Shenice gets more than a little distracted during softball practice and the playoff games. She does learn that some things are more important than softball, and that your friends and family will be there to help you when you need it.

There aren’t many books about softball, so this is a unique sports book. That along with the mystery and great characters made this a really great book. I would love to see a sequel in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.

I would love to sit in on Sunday brunch with the Lockwood family- not just for the bacon, but for the people at that table! Shenice “Lightning” Lockwood is learning that 12 is hard but her parents have taught her to be brave and follow her heart. Fast Pitch has the very best of the Sandlot vibes with the beautiful game of softball, magic between teammates, the power of 2nd chances, and a bit of mystery from the past.
This is a book that will stay checked out from my library. It is fast paced, layered, timely, fun and there are so many things for middle schoolers to connect with in the book. Nic Stone has captured what so many of our middle schoolers are learning: softball (or any sport) is so more than a game that you win. It is being a good teammate, life lessons, legacies, good role models and the chance to be a leader. It is also tough lessons. Shenice’s softball team is an all-black team playing in the south. There is one scene when they travel to a community where they see cars in the lot with Confederate Flags on the bumpers. It is a chilling scene where even the air feels off and the girls can feel the animosity from the stands. But this is what I love about the book-- Nic Stone has written coaches who have the words to talk the girls through it. She’s created a main character who uses the fire from this feeling to “BLAZE UP” during the game despite the itchy feeling these flags give her “Like all my power and the good things about me had been instantly snatched away.” It also fuels her to solve the mystery of her great-grandfather who missed out on his career due to racism. I give so much credit to the power of Nic Stone’s storytelling - big, important and timely issues are handled and modeled so well for our middle school readers.
The characters in this book are ones I’d want my own kids and students to be friends with. The grown ups in this book give such insightful and great advice for readers to take away with them. The mystery is one I wanted to see solved. This is a book I will highly recommend to boys and girls at my school.