Return of the Home Run Kid

Last year, in The Kid Who Only Hit Homers, Sylvester Coddmyer III was a power-hitting outfielder. So why is he stuck warming the bench this season? Syl desperately needs advice to get him out of his slump, but the mysterious Mr. Baruth, who came and coached him last season, is nowhere to be found. Then, a mysterious ex-ballplayer named Cheeko shows up, and soon the boy is back on track slamming homers again. Syl knows that his new, aggressive moves have made a difference, but he's not sure he agrees with Cheeko's attitude or all of his suggestions. Sure enough, it's not long before his teammates start to take issue with Syl's lack of team spirit and unsportsmanlike conduct. Can he find the balance he needs to be a good player — in every sense of the word?

Matt Christopher, author of countless best-selling sports novels for young readers, has brought back a likable protagonist in a fast-moving sequel that also stands well on its own. Vivid, play-by-play accounts of games will keep fans on the edge of their seats, while the issues Sylvester must deal with will be familiar to anyone who's ever played on a team. The depth and range behind this deceptively simple story make it a good book-report choice for sports-minded, reluctant readers.