Heavy Hitters
(eBook)

Mike Lupica presents the third book in his NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Game Changers series! Ben and his friends, the Core Four Plus One, are so excited to play in their town's All-Star Baseball league. But in the first game of the season Ben gets hit by a pitch. It's never happened to him before and it shakes him up.Another player on Ben's team, Justin, is acting really weirdly. Ben's known Justin for a while and they're friendly but he's not one of Ben's closest "boys." Justin is the team's best hitter but his behavior on and off the field is erratic. Ben discovers that Justin's parents are getting a divorce and Justin is thinking about quitting the team. Like good teammates do, Justin helps Ben deal with his issues at bat while Ben is there for his friend while his family is struggling. Praise for GAME CHANGERS #2: PLAY MAKERS:"Like the first in the series, this volume provides an action-packed look at middle school sports as it explores issues of friendship, problem solving and coming-of-age." -KIRKUSPraise for GAME CHANGERS:"Even the female characters display intelligence and insight, a rarity in male sports fiction. A first-rate, inspiring football story, this will leave fans with an understanding that not all teamwork occurs on the gridiron." -BOOKLIST ONLINE REVIEW Mike Lupica is a NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of several books for young readers. His NEW YORK DAILY NEWS column is syndicated nationally. Mr. Lupica lives in Connecticut with his wife and their four children. You can visit Mike Lupica at www.mikelupicabooks.com. From Game Changers #3: Heavy HittersMr. Brown came running in from third, Ben's dad came down from first. When Ben looked up, Robbie was there, too, looking as if he was in more pain than Ben at the moment.Somehow Sam and Coop and Shawn were already crouched down next to Ben, Mr. Brown having to ask them to give him room.Mr. Brown said, "Let's have a look."Ben rolled up his sleeve. It was then that he saw the imprint of the ball's seams on the inside of his arm, like they'd been tattooed there.Ben's dad asked Ben if he could slowly flex his arm, see if he could make a fist and bring his arm up to his shoulder, like he was doing some kind of exercise.Ben did that."It hurts where I got hit," he said, "but not when I move it.""Good," his dad said.Ben said, "Dad, I think the place I would have picked is no place."Mr. Brown asked him to clench and unclench his left fist, then give his wrist a shake. Ben did that, too. Ben's dad gently put a thumb to Ben's arm, between the seams. "Nothing broken, not there," he said. "Would've been much worse if it got you on the elbow or wrist or hand."Ben looked at Mr. Brown and then his dad and said, "I'm not coming out.""Ice wouldn't be such a terrible idea," Mr. Brown said."What are you always saying when I guy catches one on TV?" Ben said to his dad. "Rub some dirt on it and walk it off?""That's what you say to the TV," Jeff McBain said, "not your son.""I'm not gonna rub, period," Ben said.He got up then. Praise for GAME CHANGERS #2: PLAY MAKERS:"Like the first in the series, this volume provides an action-packed look at middle school sports as it explores issues of friendship, problem solving and coming-of-age." -KIRKUSPraise for GAME CHANGERS:"Even the female characters display intelligence and insight, a rarity in male sports fiction. A first-rate, inspiring football story, this will leave fans with an understanding that not all teamwork occurs on the gridiron." -BOOKLIST ONLINE REVIEW