Cal Ripken, Jr.'s All-Stars: Hothead [Hardcover]

Cal Ripken Jr. (Author), Kevin Cowherd (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 1, 2011 | Age Range: 8 and up | Series: Cal Ripken Jr.'s All-Stars | Lexile Measure: 810L (What's this?)

Connor Sullivan is an All-Star shortstop on his Babe Ruth team, the Orioles. He can hit and field with the best of them, but he's got one big problem: his temper. When he strikes out or makes an error, he's a walking Mt. Vesuvius, slamming batting helmets and throwing gloves. His teammates are starting to avoid him, even his best friend Jordy. His coach is ready to kick him off the team.

 

To make matters worse, things aren't much better at home. His dad is having trouble finding a new job after being laid off. Money is tight. Connor's dream of attending the prestigious Brooks Robinson Baseball Camp this summer seems like just that now - a dream.

 

When the sports editor of the school paper threatens to do a big story on his tantrums - complete with embarassing photos - Connor realizes he has to clean up his act. But can he do it in time to regain his teammates'  trust and help the Orioles win the championship against the best team in the league?

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Connor Sullivan is a talented player for his Babe Ruth League baseball team. His athletic prowess, though, is offset by his explosive temper, which earns him suspensions and the enmity of his teammates. He also finds himself the subject of critical articles by a student reporter, Melissa Morrow. At home, Connor�s father is out of work, the bills are mounting, and his parents do not have a lot of patience for Connor�s behavior. By the book�s close, though, Connor learns to keep his cool, helps lead his team to victory, and even finds that he is attracted to Melissa. The clich�s are abundant in this sports novel: Act like you own the batter�s box. This is your office. Go to work. Yet Hall of Famer Ripken and veteran sports writer Cowherd manage to convey honest emotions, particularly Connor�s frustrations when he is unable to maintain his self-control. Fans of standard sports novels will enjoy this. Grades 5-8. --Todd Morning

About the Author

Cal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire career (1981-2001). Nicknamed "The Iron Man" for his relentless work ethic and reliability on the field, Ripken is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over 17 seasons. He was a 19-time All Star and is considered to be one of the best shortstops professional baseball has ever seen. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Since his retirement Ripken has worked as President and CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc. to nuture the love of baseball in young children from a grassroots level. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.

Kevin Cowherd has been a writer for the Baltimore Sun since 1987, is nationally syndicated by the Los Angeles Time - Washington Post news service, and is the author of Last Call at the 7-Eleven, a book of selected writings published by Bancroft Press. In 1990 he was honored by the American Association of Sunday and Feature Editors for excellence in feature writing. He currently writes a sports column and blog for the Baltimore Sun. He is also a humorist, and an experienced Little League coach. He lives with his wife and three children near Baltimore.

Product Details

• Age Range: 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 144 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion Book CH; First Edition edition (March 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1423140001
• ISBN-13: 978-1423140009
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.5 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Cal Ripken, Jr.'s HOTHEAD is a cool read for young and old May 21, 2011

By C. A. Webb TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

When you are trying to get young people to read, the best thing in the world you can do is give them a book about something they love and can relate to. With HOTHEAD by Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kevin Cowherd they have done just that.

The book takes you into the experiences of Connor Sullivan, a young man who pushes himself harder than anyone else and has the tendency not to take not reaching his own expectations very well. The result is a string of incidents that could threaten everything that he is working for and do more harm than good.

For individuals who love sports--regardless of your age---you will find this book easy to read and devour it up because it speaks to what you know about the game of baseball and those who play it. For readers like myself, you are definitely fall into the storyline, wondering what will happen to someone with so much potential and promise. Will he lose it all or learn how to keep his emotions in check?

I applaud Ripken and Cowherd for penning this book that is just what we need when it comes to not only telling a story that is very much true to life regardless of what your passion in life is. We all are faced with being our own worse enemy. Using sports as the bait, though, I feel the guys will also get individuals to pick this book up that would probably not be interested in another type of read.

Yes HOTHEAD is a cool read for young and old, regardless what your personal interest might be when it comes to the game. The storyline will be enough to keep you going until the very end.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Take me out to the ballgame April 1, 2011

By wogan TOP 50 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

'Hothead' is a book that is more than a young person's reading. Those who love baseball and are Cal Ripken fans would enjoy this. It is a story about a first-rate young ballplayer, Connor who suddenly has become a hothead and faces the prospect of getting thrown off his team if he cannot control his tantrums on the field.
There is more to learn here than good sportsmanship. Connor's father has lost his job and even though he has a loving family and friends, tensions are high. We learn the value of friendship and confiding in them - many others have lost their jobs too. This of course is also a lesson in good sportsmanship.

Cal Ripken with Kevin Cowherd, a fine sports writer with the Baltimore Sun have written this book that many young, as well as older readers can identify with, whether they play ball or not. It is an example in what was called the Oriole Way in Ripken's playing days. It is not just about baseball though, but life, school, and friends.
It is written for ages 8-12. Younger baseball fans might enjoy having it read to them, as would those older adults that do the reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Read August 8, 2011

By Austin

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

I am 28 and play ball 5 day of the week. Big Orioles and Cal Ripken Jr. fan as well. I bought this book just to add to my baseball book collection but read the book because I had it. I too am a player than can have a bit of a temper and this children's book helped me put a few things I do during games into perspective. Long story short I think this children's book will help me as an adult on the ball field by controlling emotions.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, 10 year old son loved it. April 5, 2011

By SandiL

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

We purchased this book for our 10 year old son. He isn't an avid reader, but is very into sports, particularly baseball. We thought this book would be a good read for him. He finished it in no time and plans to read it again. He loved the book, the characters, and the lessons learned. He couldn't stop talking about it. We would highly recommend this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars My son loved this book! June 11, 2013

By Suzy H

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

My 10 year old son loved this book and is blowing through the series! I highly recommend these books! He's on the 3rd book now, and has not been able to put any of them down.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great read for baseball loving Grandson June 2, 2013

By grammy

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I sent this to my Grandson. He loved reading the book. I will be ordering more of Cal's books. The lessons learned in the book are not only important in baseball but to all walks of life.

5.0 out of 5 stars Birthday gift May 10, 2013

By janvila

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

These books were given to my 8 year old Grandson for his birthday. he was very pleased and started reading one right away.
I'm hoping he will learn some of Cal Ripken's life lessons while enjoying the books.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book May 4, 2013

By Geraldine Matthiesen

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

Donated to the OES library as a great resource book. This book as well as Cal Ripken's other All Stars books were reviewed and are on the AA County approved reading list.