Plunked

Plunked by Northrop, Michael. hardcover edition. ISBN: 9780545297141.

A young slugger, part Wimpy Kid, part Rocky Balboa, gets hit by a pitch and needs more than practice to get back his game. Sixth grader Jack Mogens has it all figured out: Hes got his batting routine down, and his outfielding earns him a starting spot alongside his best friend, Andy, on their Little League team, the Tall Pines Braves. He even manages to have a not-totally-embarrassing conversation with Katie, the teams killer shortstop. But in the first game of the season, a powerful stray pitch brings everything Jacks worked so hard for crashing down around his ears. How can he explain to his parents and friends why he wont be playing? Readers will root for Jack as he finds the courage to step back up to the plate.