Description
The Reds and the Cubs are battling for first place in the Rising Stars League, and the Reds need a victory in today’s game to push ahead in the standings. Kyle, the Reds’ center fielder, wants to win so much that he claims to have made a difficult catch, which he actually dropped.
The win gives Kyle and his team an unfair advantage in the championship series, and everyone considers him the hero of the game. But all of the praise and attention he receives is not enough to silence his conscience. Will he come clean and risk the ire of his family and his team?
The afterword provides the real story of Christy Mathewson, an MLB pitcher whose reputation for honesty actually had umpires asking him to make calls during games.
Awards
Volunteer State Book Awards (Master List, Grades 4-6) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2003-2004
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Grades 4-6) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators, 2002-2003
Best Bets for the Classroom (Transitional Novels) ―Virginia Center for the Book, 2000
Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Children’s Master List) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA, 2002-2003
Maud Hart Lovelace Award (Nominee, Grades 3-5) ―Minnesota Youth Reading Awards, 2003-2004
Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-6) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2002-2003
Virginia Young Readers (Elementary Master List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2002-2003
More Details
AR Level: 4.3
F&P: GRL Q, Gr 4, Genre RF
Lexile: 560L
Themes: Baseball, Honesty, Sportsmanship
BISAC 1: JUV032010 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Baseball & Softball
BISAC 2: JUV039220 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Values & Virtues
BISAC 3: JUV039140 JUVENILE FICTION / Social Issues / Self-Esteem & Self-Reliance