Lucky Enough

by Fred Bowen

Overview

Like many athletes, Trey is superstitious. How could he not be when he just made the Ravens travel team, thanks to his lucky charm—a piece of rare sea glass he found on his grandmother's beach?

This stroke of good fortune reinforces his superstitious behavior, and the rituals become more and more important to him. In spite of some teasing and even some sarcasm from his teammates, Trey persists―he never steps on the foul line, he obsessively taps the corners of home plate when he's at bat, he always chooses the same lucky bat. Why stop? After all, his tactics are working; he's doing quite well on the field and in the batter's box.

Then one day he can't find his lucky sea glass. He searches everywhere, but it's no use. Trey's performance begins to slip, and he's convinced that his future with the Ravens is doomed. Things don't start to improve for Trey until his uncle reminds him of his grandmother's favorite saying: "The harder you work, the luckier you get." Can Trey take those words to heart and find his swing again...even without his lucky charm?

This book explores the age-old conflict between luck and hard work. In the afterword, readers can learn more about famous players with their own lucky charms and superstitions.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781561459582
Publisher:	Holiday House
Publication date:	03/06/2018
Series:	Fred Bowen Sports Story Series , #22
Pages:	144
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.30(h) x 0.50(d)
Lexile:	570L (what's this?)
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Fred Bowen was a Little Leaguer who loved to read and is still a lifelong sports fanatic. He is the author of the action-packed Fred Bowen Sports Story series, currently totaling more than twenty titles. For thirteen years, Bowen coached kids' baseball and basketball teams. He has also written a weekly sports column for kids in the Washington Post since 2000. He was a lawyer for many years before retiring to become a full-time children's book author.Bowen lives in Silver Spring, Maryland, with his wife Peggy Jackson. They have two grown children.

Editorial Reviews

"Bowen employs nearly every bit of applicable baseball lingo, with detailed descriptions of practicing and playing the games. . . In a nice touch, there are fun facts about some famous major league players who had lucky rituals, hats, bats, and more. . . . A good read for youngsters who know and love the game." —Kirkus Reviews

"A former kids' baseball coach and the writer of a Washington Post sports column for young readers, Bowen adds an entertaining note on baseball superstitions. . . . The straightforward story will appeal to young players as well as older ones intimidated by longer novels." —Booklist

"This quick and to-the-point story is a solid choice for upper elementary readers as well as middle school collections looking to boost their hi-lo offerings." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

2018-01-13
A sign regarding the nature of luck hangs on Trey's wall, a remembrance of his grandmother.Trey believes that the blue sea glass that his grandmother gave him brings him luck in baseball—and in school as well, negating the need for extensive study. On the field he steps over the foul lines, taps home plate four times with his carefully selected bat, and, most of all, keeps the polished shard of sea glass with him at all times. He is selected for the Ravens, makes some great plays, and gets some timely hits. When his lucky charm is lost, he goes into a slump. Listening to his mom and uncle reminiscing helps him realize that he has been misinterpreting his grandmother's thoughts about luck. Success is all about practice and hard work and using your talents. Bowen employs nearly every bit of applicable baseball lingo, with detailed descriptions of practicing and playing the game, assuming that readers will understand. He includes some gentle life lessons in a palatable, not too hectoring manner. In a nice touch, there are fun facts about some famous major league players who had lucky rituals, hats, bats, and more. Although Trey and his family are probably white, naming conventions indicate some possible diversity among his teammates.A good read for youngsters who know and love the game. (author's note, sources) (Fiction. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews