Books like 'Batting Order'
Readers who enjoyed Batting Order by Mike Lupica also liked the following books featuring the same tropes, story themes, relationship dynamics and character types.
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Our Class is a Family by Shannon Olsen
Rated: 4.58 of 5 stars · 12 ratings“Family isn’t always your relatives. It’s the ones who accept you for who you are. The ones who would do anything to see you smile, and who love you no matter what.”Teachers do so much more than just teach academics. They build a sense of community within their classrooms, creating a home away from home where they make their students feel safe, included, and loved... -
Two Steps Forward: A Story of Persevering in Hope by Sharon Garlough Brown
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsThe spiritual journey continues for Hannah, Meg, Mara and Charissa, the characters we met in the bestselling book Sensible Shoes.feels like two steps forward and one step back. Find your own spiritual journey reflected in the lives of these women and discover the way forward... -
The Big Orange Splot by Daniel Pinkwater
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsA beautiful lyrical story that introduces the concept of individuality, accepting of others differences, and respect for those around us.This is a tale about conformism and individualism, as Mr. Plumbean's expression of creativity and individuality challenges his neighbor's ideas about the importance of having a “neat street.” By repainting his house to reflect his colorful dreams, Mr... -
What Happened to You? by James Catchpole
Rated: 4.40 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsThis accessible, funny, and groundbreaking story addresses the questions children often ask, as well as a disabled child's choice not to answer.What happened to you? Was it a shark? A burglar? A lion? Did it fall off? A boy named Joe is trying to play pirates at the playground, but he keeps being asked what happened to his leg... -
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The Colors of Us by Karen Katz
Rated: 4.29 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA positive and affirming look at skin color, from an artist's perspective. Seven-year-old Lena is going to paint a picture of herself. She wants to use brown paint for her skin. But when she and her mother take a walk through the neighborhood, Lena learns that brown comes in many different shades... -
The DH by John Feinstein
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPerfect for sports-loving kids and fans of books by Mike Lupica, book three in the Triple Threat series by New York Times bestselling sports writer John Feinstein explores what happens when athletes break the rules in this novel of tested friendships and high-stakes baseball... -
Hopeless by Cheryl Douglas
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsWhen Jay Cooper has to hire a new black belt instructor for his karate studio, he doesn’t expect the most promising applicant to come with a huge chip on her shoulder. He knows there must be a story behind those tortured brown eyes, if only she would let him get close enough to find out why she seems so determined to keep her past a secret. Victoria Pierce grew up in the foster care system... -
The Day After Forever by Erin Skiffington
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe Day After Forever is an emotional story centering around four teenagers who discover and demostrate the true meaning of friendship. It illustrates the agony surroundingf horrific events and how friendship will always stand strong against the circumstances. Jeff has leukemia... -
Bea Is for Blended by Lindsey Stoddard
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsGirl p ower scores a goal in this uplifting story of teamwork, new beginnings, and coming together to fight for what’s right—perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Lynda Mullaly Hunt. Bea and her mom have always been a two-person team. But now her mom is marrying Wendell, and their team is growing by three boys, two dogs, and a cat... -
Campfire Mallory by Laurie B. Friedman
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsIt's summertime and the Wish Pond Road gang is getting ready to go to Camp Blue Lake. Mallory's not so sure she wants to go. What if she gets homesick or none of the other kids like her? Her best friends, Mary Ann and Joey, convince her how fun it will be to go swimming, boating, and roast marshmallows over a campfire. But when Mallory arrives at camp, nothing goes as planned...Categorized as:
friendship realistic children children-books family fiction middle-grade season-summer -
Trouble Follows by Monica McKayhan
Rated: 4.38 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsLife Is (Was…Will Be?) Good Indigo Summer has everything she wants: a coveted spot on the high school dance squad, a hot boyfriend (the one and only Marcus Carter) and—her best friend, Jade, is moving back to Atlanta! But why does trouble always have to follow? Jade is suddenly getting too cozy with their good-looking history teacher... -
What Riley Wore by Elana K. Arnold
Rated: 4.27 of 5 stars · 11 ratingsGender-creative Riley knows just what to wear for every occasion during a busy week with family and friends in this sweet and timely picture book from Elana K. Arnold and Linda Davick.Riley wears whatever clothes feel right each day. On Monday, Riley feels shy and wears a bunny costume to school. On Tuesday, a scary trip to the dentist calls for a super hero cape... -
Madame President by Nancy E. Krulik
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBest-selling author Nancy Krulik delves into the mind of a twelve-year-old girl trying to survive middle school.Jenny McAfee never thought of herself as a leader, but then again, Jenny had also never thought that her best friend, Addie Wilson, would ditch her for the Pops-- the most popular kids in school...Categorized as:
friendship realistic children children-books contemporary fiction middle-grade womens-fiction -
Pieces of You by Tablo
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsEpik High leader Tablo's short stories weave together the secrets and anxieties of youth, whispering words of solace to a lost generation... -
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Ruby the Copycat by Peggy Rathmann
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsIt's the first day of school, and Ruby is new. When her classmate Angela wears a red bow in her hair, Ruby comes back from lunch wearing a red bow, too. When Angela wears a flowered dress, suddenly Ruby's wearing one, too... -
I Promise by LeBron James
Rated: 4.21 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsNBA champion and superstar LeBron James pens a slam-dunk picture book inspired by his foundation’s I PROMISE program that motivates children everywhere to always #StriveForGreatness.Just a kid from Akron, Ohio, who is dedicated to uplifting youth everywhere, LeBron James knows the key to a better future is to excel in school, do your best, and keep your family close... -
Mr. Klutz Is Nuts! by Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 18 ratingsNever before has school been this mixed up--or this much funPrincipal Klutz was hanging upside down from the school flagpole He kissed a pig on the lips and painted his bald head orange And now he wants to bungee jump off the roof of the school dressed as Santa... -
The All-Star Joker by David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsNext up to the plate—book #5 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark! The stars are out in Kansas City . . . the baseball stars, that is! Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game, and even get to go on the field during the Home Run Derby to catch pop-ups! That's where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher... -
Wednesday Riders by Tudor Robins
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThe island. Meg can’t wait to get back. She’s excited to see her new mare kick up her heels in Salem’s old paddock. She’s impatient to run on country roads between breeze-blown hayfields.Mostly, Meg longs to be back with Jared again.It’s going to be the perfect summer... -
The Bad Boy's Dance by Vera Calloway
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratings"Don't pretend that you don't feel this, Ivy. Because if you don't... I'll just have to keep trying until you do." After a nightmare of a past relationship, you'd think Ivy deserved to finish her senior year in peace. But no, that just wasn't possible if Asher Grayson had anything to say about it. Think you've seen bad boys? You haven't seen anything yet... -
The Grover Beach Companion Books by Anna Katmore, Piper Shelly
Rated: 4.33 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsPLAY WITH ME & RYAN HUNTER (boxed set) Ryan Hunter's parties are legend. And tonight she's going to be there. Liza Matthews anticipates the return of her best friend and only love since kindergarten from soccer camp. But when Tony finally shows up, his mind is more focused on another girl. And worse, she's a soccer player... -
The Boy Who Steals Hearts by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsEvery girl at Hallisburg Prep has a crush on Arie Jensen.But no one has a bigger crush than me.I’ve been hopelessly head-over-heels for the star basketball player since freshman year.Too bad he barely even notices I exist.Until a midnight run-in reveals his biggest secret… and I’m the only one who knows.Suddenly, the school’s biggest flirt is showing up at my window after curfew...Categorized as:
realistic friendship sports young-adult contemporary fake-relationship high-school religion -
Lila Greer, Teacher of the Year by Andrea Beaty
Rated: 4.50 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsA moving story starring the Questioneers' teacher that's all about kindness, learning to face your fears, and the profound difference that one brilliant educator can make in a child’s life from the #1 bestselling creators of Aaron Slater, Illustrator and Ada Twist, Scientist ! Lila Greer is full of worries. Even the smallest things—from cabbages to cardboard—fill her with dread and What Ifs... -
Gibberish by Young Vo
Rated: 4.42 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIt's Dat's first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn't know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says – from the school bus driver to his new classmates – sounds like gibberish... -
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Sprinkles and Secrets by Lisa Schroeder, Nathalie Dion
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsIn this companion novel to It's Raining Cupcakes, twelve-year-old Sophie has a dream come true when she's offered a TV commercial spot...Categorized as:
friendship realistic children children-books contemporary fiction middle-grade young-adult -
Reach for Tomorrow by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsKatie O'Roark is thrilled to learn that Jenny House is being rebuilt. After the fire last year, Katie thought she could never return to the camp, where she spent the summers with teens like her who faced medical odds stacked against them. But thanks to Richard Holloway's efforts, Katie and her longtime friends Lacey and Chelsea will work as counselors once again... -
On Herring Cove Road: Mr. Rosen and His 43Lb Anxiety by Michael Kroft
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsOnce an amusing extrovert with a reputation as a prankster, Mr. Rosen is entering his retirement years as a stoic thirty-year converted introvert who has no interest in people, despises change, and is more than content to have his wife navigate his life... -
Game Changers by Mike Lupica
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsBen McBain is every football team's dream player. He's a jack-of-all-trades guy that can handle almost any position. When the game is on the line, Ben's number is the one being called for the final play. But Ben wants to be the starting quarterback and the one thing standing in his way is the coach's son.Shawn O'Brien looks the part... -
Going Places by Peter H. Reynolds, Paul A. Reynolds
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsA go-cart contest inspires imagination to take flight in this picture book for creators of all ages, with art from New York Times bestselling illustrator Peter H. Reynolds.It's time for this year's Going Places contest! Finally. Time to build a go-cart, race it—and win. Each kid grabs an identical kit, and scrambles to build.Everyone but Maya. She sure doesn't seem to be in a hurry .. -
Miss Child Has Gone Wild! by Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.14 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWith more than 30 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading!In the first book in My Weirder School—the laugh-out-loud third arc of the My Weird School series—A.J. and the rest of the third graders at Ella Mentry School go on a field trip to the zoo... -
Miss Nelson Has a Field Day by Harry G. Allard Jr.
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn this companion to Miss Nelson Is Missing —the classic, hilarious story of a misbehaving class—the notorious Miss Swamp returns to Horace B. Smedley School to coach their failing football team. The Smedley Tornadoes haven't won a game all year, and the entire school is down in the dumps... -
Something Great by Jeanette Bradley
Rated: 4.20 of 5 stars · 5 ratingsVoila! Quinn spent the morning in their workshop, and they emerged with Something Great! But. What is it?No one seemed to understand that Something Great isn't supposed to be anything. It was just. itself. Something Great.Then, the new kid asks to play with Quinn and Something Great. They discover that Something Great can be an elevator, a bug catcher, or a stick lifter. It could even be... -
The Mike Lupica Collection by Mike Lupica
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsThree of New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica’s wildly popular sports stories gathered together in one box! Baseball and basketball fans will rejoice, for all of their favorite novels are available in one gorgeous... -
Caitlin's Lucky Charm by Lisa Schroeder
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsFour best friends, one lucky bracelet, and an utterly charming new middle-grade series!Caitlin would stay at summer camp forever if she could. Her new best friends in the world, Hannah, Mia, and Libby are there... -
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End Zone by Cheryl Douglas
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsHigh Rollers marketing director, Matt Hudson, has had a thing for Kristen Beck for as long as he can remember. She was the untouchable prom queen who was out of his league back in high school, but the tables have turned. Since Matt was named one of cities most eligible bachelors, he can have his pick of beautiful women... -
Catch My Fall by Rebekka Weiler
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratings**Funken auf dem Eis** Toni staunt nicht schlecht, als der Coach ihrer Eishockeymannschaft seinen neuen Assistenztrainer vorstellt: Nolan Thayer ist nicht nur ehemaliger NHL-Spieler, der nach einer Verletzung ans College zurückkehren musste, sondern außerdem verdammt attraktiv. Die Freude darüber, von ihm trainiert zu werden, währt allerdings nur kurz... -
Der Dachs hat heute schlechte Laune! by Moritz Petz
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsIn this German language edition of The Day Everything Went Wrong, Badger decides to give himself a treat and only do things that he enjoys! But from the moment he gets out of bed and nearly knocks over his lamp, everything goes wrong. When he visits each of his friends, he discovers something surprising . . -
Not Little by Maya Myers
Rated: 4.17 of 5 stars · 6 ratingsJust because you're really small doesn't mean you can't have a big heart. When the diminutive Dot stands up to a bully on behalf of an even smaller friend, she proves how big she can truly be... -
It Could Only Be Tyler by Emily Lowry
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsAsk your best friend’s brother nicely, and he might agree to be your fake boyfriend. He might even become something more…Nina Martinez is the band geek of Beachbreak High. The only thing louder than her trumpet is her mom’s insistence that she find Nina a boyfriend. Nina wants no part of it, but the only way out is to get a boyfriend on her own...Categorized as:
friendship realistic sports book contemporary fake-relationship fiction friends-to-lovers -
How to Convince a Boy to Kiss You by Tara Eglington
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsThe course of true love never did run smooth. For a girl who shares her name with a princess (a.k.a Aurora from Sleeping Beauty) Aurora Skye’s life seem fathoms away from a fairytale. Sure, she’s landed Hayden Paris, Potential Prince extraordinaire. And she got her wish -- one first kiss with all the knee-trembling, butterfly-inducing gloriousness she’d hoped for... -
The Juice Box Bully: Empowering Kids to Stand Up for Others by Bob Sornson, Maria Dismondy
Rated: 4.13 of 5 stars · 8 ratingsHave you ever seen a bully in action and done nothing about it? The kids at Pete's new school get involved, instead of being bystanders. When Pete begins to behave badly, his classmates teach him about "The Promise"...Categorized as:
realistic friendship children-books fiction bullying children psychological contemporary -
Life, Starring Me! by Robin Wasserman
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsCandy Apple books . . . just for you. Sweet. Fresh. Fun. Take a bite!Ruby Day is a star. Or at least she was, until she got too old for her role on the international tour of Bye Bye Birdie. She knows all there is to know about Parisian room service, signing autographs for fans, and navigating strange new cities... -
Rumor Has It by Jane B. Mason, Sarah Hines Stephens
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsAudrey is fascinated by the new girl at school, Mailee. But she isn't sure how to get to know her -- Mailee is nice to everyone, but Audrey can't tell if she wants to be friends. So Audrey launches the perfect plan: a slam book She secretly circulates a notebook with space to comment on all the sixth-grade girls, including herself, hoping it'll reach Mailee soon... -
Lulu Loves Stories by Anna McQuinn
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsLulu loves stories - and the books she reads inspire her to be many from a fairy to a farmer, a mummy to a monster, a tiger to a tiny pilot... -
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My Favorite Mistake by Georgina Bloomberg, Catherine Hapka
Rated: 4.10 of 5 stars · 10 ratingsTommi, Zara, and Kate are all elite riders on the A Circuit. Tommi, the billionaire heiress, is training a young horse to prove she can make horses a real career. But when her new beau, Alex, convinces her to skip a horse show to party in the Hamptons, the results could be disastrous. Zara, the celebutante wild child, is finally taking her riding seriously... -
A Season for Goodbye by Lurlene McDaniel
Rated: 4.08 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsTogether again. It's been a year since Katie O'Roark, Chelsea James, and Lacey Duval shared a special summer at Jenny House. The girls have each spent the year struggling to fit into the world of the healthy. Now they're back, this time as "big sisters" to a new group of girls who also face life-threatening illnesses... -
Ms. Hannah Is Bananas! by Jim Paillot, Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsWith more than 30 million books sold, the My Weird School series really gets kids reading! In the fourth book of the original My Weird School series, art teacher Ms. Hannah shows A.J. and the gang that art is everywhere! She wears dresses made out of potholders and collects garbage instead of throwing it out. But worst of all, she makes A.J... -
Miss Holly Is Too Jolly! by Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.07 of 5 stars · 14 ratingsSomething weird is going on!Miss Holly, the Spanish teacher, is hanging mistletoe everywhere! That means boys will have to kiss girls. And girls will have to kiss boys... -
Mrs. Roopy Is Loopy! by Jim Paillot, Dan Gutman
Rated: 4.06 of 5 stars · 16 ratingsIn the third book of the original My Weird School series, the new librarian Mrs. Roopy might be A.J.'s craziest teacher yet! Before class begins, they find her dressed first as President George Washington and then Little Miss Muffet. And Mrs. Roopy won't even admit that it's her! Can A.J... -
Katie, Batter Up! by Coco Simon
Rated: 4.25 of 5 stars · 12 ratingsA sporty addition to a sweet tween series that’s all about friendship—and cupcakes, of course!Katie’s Cupcake Club friends all have other activities besides making Mia and Alexis are on the soccer team and Emma plays the flute. Katie sets out to find her extracurricular niche and soon she’s dribbling, passing, and catching...Categorized as:
realistic friendship middle-grade children-books fiction children contemporary religion
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