{"product_id":"the-sweet-spot-9781682637746","title":"The Sweet Spot","description":"\u003cb\u003eA home run of a novel about baseball and belonging, from the acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eHalf Moon Summer.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTwelve-year-old Trip's summer to-do list has exactly one thing on it: win the local Little League championship. But then Dad unexpectedly deploys overseas just before the season starts. And Sam (short for Samantha) joins the team, which changes more than just the line-up.\u003cbr\u003eSuddenly nothing feels right at home or on the field--the two places he's always belonged. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eThe season isn't what he imagined, but Trip sticks with it. Until news about Dad leaves him convinced that he has to choose between family and baseball. Feeling more unsure than ever about who he's supposed to be and where he belongs, Trip makes an impossible decision. But what if he doesn't need to choose at all? \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eFast-paced and player-focused, \u003ci\u003eThe Sweet Spot\u003c\/i\u003e highlights the challenges of being a passionate athlete and a compassionate person at the same time. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eA Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Elaine Vickers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Peachtree Publishers\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 05\/05\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 224\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.80lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.10h x 5.40w x 1.10d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781682637746\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAudience:\u003c\/b\u003e Ages 9-12\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eHorn Book Magazine\u003c\/i\u003e 05\/01\/2026 pg. 95\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2026 pg. 68\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/09\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e 03\/01\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eElaine Vickers is an award-winning author of picture books, middle grade, and young adult novels that aim to help readers of all ages find connection and belonging, including \u003ci\u003eHalf Moon Summer\u003c\/i\u003e. She grew up in a small town in the Utah desert, where she spent her time reading, exploring, and playing sports--including one season of T-ball. Several years and one PhD later, she found her way back to her hometown, where she now spends her time writing, exploring with her family, and teaching college chemistry.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Elaine Vickers \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":48231812169885,"sku":"9781682637746","price":22.78,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_c5a1d16c-4edc-43b6-ba42-141172216d01.jpg?v=1778578090","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/the-sweet-spot-9781682637746","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}