Review
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“Preller has perfectly nailed the middle school milieu, and his characters are well developed with authentic voices. The
novel has a parablelike quality, steeped in a moral lesson, yet not ploddingly didactic. The action moves quickly,
keeping readers engaged. The ending is realistic: there's no strong resolution, no punishment or forgiveness. Focusing
on the large majority of young people who stand by mutely and therefore complicitly, this must-read book is a great
discussion starter that pairs well with a Holocaust unit.” ―School Library Journal, starred review
“Bullying is a topic that never lacks for interest, and here Preller concentrates on the kids who try to ignore or
accommodate a bully to keep themselves safe. For Eric to do the right thing is neither easy nor what he first wants to
do, and the way he finds support among his classmates is shown in logical and believable small steps. Eminently
discussable as a middle-school read-aloud, [with] appeal across gender lines.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Preller displays a keen awareness of the complicated and often-conflicting instincts to fit in, find friends, and do
the right thing. Although there are no pat answers, the message (that a bystander is hardly better than an instigator)
is clear, and Preller's well-shaped characters, strong writing, and realistic of middle-school life deliver it
cleanly.” ―Booklist
“Plenty of kids will see themselves in these pages, making for painful, if important, reading.” ―Publishers Weekly
“An easy pick for middle school classroom and school libraries, this book is a worthy addition to collections focused on
bullying and larger public libraries, especially those with an active younger teen population.” ―VOYA
“If Judy Blume could write a book about Little League, about its players' deepest fears and secret dreams, it might come
out something like this.” ―Publishers Weekly, starred review on Six-Innings
“Dishing up a rare example of a character-driven tale that is also suspenseful and exciting, [Preller] chronicles a
magnificent championship game between two Little League teams that is as much about the players as the plays.”
―Booklist, starred review on Six-Innings
“Following the play-by-play builds suspense and brings the reader right into the action and the special world of
baseball and the people who love it.” ―Kirkus Reviews on Six-Innings
“A tale of baseball, friendship, growth, and coming to terms with hardships, this fast read will grasp any reader who
enjoys sports.” ―School Library Journal on Six-Innings
“This is a book whose emotional pull creeps up on you, pitch by pitch....Like the boys on the field and in the press
box, readers will feel this is a game to remember.” ―Shelf Awareness on Six-Innings
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About the Author
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James Preller is the author of the popular Jigsaw Jones mystery books, which have sold more than 10 million
copies since 1998. He is also the author of Six Innings, an ALA Notable Book, and Mighty Casey, his own twist on the
classic poem, "Casey at the Bat." In addition to writing full-time, Preller plays in a men's hardball league and coaches
Little League. He compares coaching kids to "trying to hold the attention of a herd of earthworms." He lives in Delmar,
New York, with his wife, three children, cats and dog.
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