It may be 1972, but for Peter Lee, everything falls into two categories: before, when the family bonded over baseball and Peter's older brother was still alive; and after. Now Peter's mother doesn't leave the couch or talk to anyone, school seems impossible, and the family is falling apart. Perhaps baseball can bring them together again? Peter decides to go out for a Little League team, but he is horror-struck when his firm Chinese father is made the coach and the other kids on the team don't seem talented. Slowly, though, the team makes progress under Coach Lee's drills and pitcher Aaron's contagious enthusiasm, coming together until it is discovered that Aaron is actually Erin. Then the players must remember what they love about baseball. Readers will cheer Peter on as his love for his family drives him to persevere at home and on the field. Parallels between home plate and home as place abound as grief completes its work and relationships are restored. Interwoven with cultural ties to both Peter's Chinese heritage and to the women's liberation movement, this touching novel shows the importance of patience d baseball.

Gr 4-6 Twelve-year-old Peter just wants his home to be the way it was beforebefore his mother stopped talking, before she started sitting on the couch staring at the TV, and before his older brother died in a car accident. Peter's father is a strict Chinese immigrant who stresses homework, emphasizes respect for authority, and forbids baseball. Peter's mother and siblings loved the sport before his brother died; now baseball is no longer played or even talked about in the family. Peter becomes convinced that the way to get his mother back is to join Little League and play baseball again. He persuades his father to allow him to play, but during tryouts so many children show up that another coach is needed and Peter's father volunteers. This stressful dynamic shows Peter a different side of his father, a man who is mourning his son, loves his family, knows a lot about baseball, and believes in fairness. Peter is a fully realized character, but the rest of his family and most of the players on his team fall flat. VERDICT Though the plot occasionally gets bogged down with too many side stories, this heartwarming story is still a worthy purchase. Lisa Nabel, Dayton Metro Library, OH