Out of Left Field

by Kris Hui Lee

Overview

There's no playing it safe in love or baseball in this sparkling debut, perfect for fans of Morgan Matson and Kasie West.

Marnie has never had a hard time fitting in with the guys. It would take a lot more than their goofy antics to keep her from joining them at the neighborhood sandlot to do what she loves best: play ball.

An added perk of hanging out at the sandlot? Spending time with Cody Kinski, their high school's star pitcher and Marnie's best friend. Sure, he can be stubborn and annoying. He also knows how to make her laugh and respects her skills on the field. And when he gets nailed in the arm by a bone-fracturing pitch, Marnie becomes the team's best chance at making it to the playoffs. Except no one told the guys they're supposed to be on her side.

With her own team against her, Marnie begins questioning her abilities. And when fate throws her a curveball, can she play without losing the game, Cody, and her belief in herself?

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781492663850
Publisher:	Sourcebooks
Publication date:	05/01/2018
Pages:	320
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.20(h) x 1.00(d)
Age Range:	14 - 17 Years

About the Author

Kris Hui Lee is a contemporary YA author who also doubles as a graphic designer. In 2015, she was a finalist in the Pitch Wars writing contest hosted by Brenda Drake. When not writing or designing, she can be found cuddling with a dog on the floor. Learn more at krishuilee.tumblr.com

Editorial Reviews

"The novel offers a nice look at girls in sports, with lots of detailed baseball scenes. Additionally, the story gains some depth as it incorporates the complications and confusion of growing up, namely new expectations and the changing nature of friendships. Lee’s debut rests comfortably with sports-themed novels such as Catherine Gilbert Murdock’s Dairy Queen (2006) and Miranda Kenneally’s Stealing Parker (2012)." — Booklist

"[A] compelling love story with an authentic sports setting and identifiable teen characters." — School Library Connection

From the Publisher

03/01/2018
Gr 9 Up—Marnie Locke, a 17-year-old with a loud mouth, a feisty attitude, and a major-league arm, loves baseball more than anything. When her best friend, Cody, has his wrist busted during a high-stakes game, Marnie jokingly suggests that she should become his replacement. With Cody's encouragement, and much to the chagrin of the other guys on the team, Marnie tries out and wins his spot as starting pitcher right as the team heads into sectionals. Worried that her killer curve and wicked fastballs won't be enough against the powerful hitters on the other teams, Marnie turns to Santino, the pitcher who busted Cody's arm and jeopardized his future, to learn his sidearm technique. While it might seem traitorous to hit up her best friend's mortal enemy for advice, it's more complicated than that—Santino is a week away from becoming Marnie's cousin through marriage. Struggling with when to tell Cody this surprise development, catching feelings for her BFF all the while, Marnie is tasked with focusing on the biggest ball games of her life while making sure her friendships and family don't fall apart. Debut author Lee has created a brash, conflicted character in Marnie. She's not always likable, but her self-doubt is endearing and readers who are into sports fiction/romance will breeze through this. VERDICT An additional purchase where realistic fiction is popular.—Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI

School Library Journal

2018-02-20
Marnie's love of baseball—and the stalwart friends with whom she plays the game with such passion—has been the centerpiece of her life; but now she's 17 and things are changing.The novel opens with a thriller of a play: Ace pitcher Cody is hit by a ball at the plate, breaking his arm, though he takes first in spite of it. Teammate Joey hits toward a gap in left field, bringing Cody in to home base on a slide, landing on his broken arm. With Cody out of commission, Marnie steps in as pitcher for the team as they head into sectionals and dream of going to state. Team dynamics play a big role in the story and so do the games, but it's the action off the field that is the focus. Secrets between friends and romantic entanglements between Joey and Marnie's best friend, Sara, compound the drama, as Cody and Marnie discover their mutual attraction but shy away from acting on it. Having known each other for more than a decade, these four are transitioning to more adult relationships, and it's proving uncomfortable. The few black, Asian, and Latinx characters are limited to the supporting cast. Humorous moments and appealing characters fail to rescue this unrealistic portrayal of a female athlete who joins a boys' sports team at a crucial juncture.Forgettable fodder but fairly fun as sports fantasies go. (Fiction. 11-15)

Kirkus Reviews