Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He’s overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland, aka Baltimore, where he’s a target–okay, a big target–for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he’s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody’s head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody’s school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody–and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?
Super-sized Slugger (Cal Ripken Jr.'s All-Stars)
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Book Description
Cody Parker is the new kid in school. He’s overweight, scared and hates his new life in Dullsville, Maryland, aka Baltimore, where he’s a target–okay, a big target–for brutal teasing. But he loves baseball. And despite his size, he plays third base like a dream. Too bad he’s competing for the starting job on the Orioles of the Dulaney Babe Ruth League against budding hoodlum Dante Rizzo, who vows to squeeze Cody’s head like a grape if he beats him out. Life gets even more complicated when Cody’s school, York Middle, is beset by a rash of mysterious thefts, a crime wave that threatens to sideline Cody–and ruin a golden season for the Orioles. Will Cody ever succeed in getting people to see him for who he really is?
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Gr 4-7-Middle-schooler Cody, new in Baltimore, loves all sports, particularly baseball, and he's good at them despite the fact that he's a bit overweight (he prefers the term "burly"). He uses humor to make people like him, which works for the most part but not with bully Dante, who loses his third-base starting position to Cody. There's a mystery to solve and plenty of exciting baseball action as the team plays for an undefeated season and the championship. The various elements work well together to create a fast-moving story, and the characterizations of the parents and coach are great. These adults are supportive and helpful, giving good advice and practical lessons. The coach really has no ego. His philosophy: "Please don't let me screw this up." Another well-developed character is Jessica, Cody's athletic neighbor, who becomes his good friend and defender. She is smart and can hold her own against the boys in a baseball story. Ripkin and Cowherd have created a definite winner for anyone with the slightest interest in baseball, sports in general, those adjusting to a new city or school, being overweight in middle school, or just wanting to be entertained by a good story.-Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WIα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
About the Author
Cal Ripken, Jr. was a shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles for his entire twenty-one-season career (1981-2001). Nicknamed "The Iron Man" for his work ethic and reliability on the field, Cal Ripken, Jr. is most remembered for playing a record 2,632 straight games over seventeen seasons, shattering the record previously held by the legendary Lou Gehrig. Cal was a nineteen-time all-star and is one of eight players in history to amass over 400 home runs and 3,000 hits. In 2007 he was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, after earning the most votes in history. Mr. Ripken is CEO of Ripken Baseball, Inc., a company dedicated to growing the game of baseball at the grassroots level. He currently lives in Maryland with his wife and two children.
Kevin Cowherd is an award-winning sports columnist with the Baltimore Sun. He has also written for Men's Health, Parenting, and Baseball Digest magazines and is the author of a collection of columns, Last Call at the 7-Eleven. He has coached youth baseball, basketball, and soccer teams for many years. He lives near Baltimore, Maryland with his wife and three children.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
If you have difficulty finding a book that your young sports fan will read - this is for you! My nephew doesn't like to read much, but likes sports. This book has enough baseball to keep his interest, but also had great messages about sportsmanship-like conduct. Highly recommended!
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Donny Prater
Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase
My nine year old read this one for his accelerated reader program and absolutely loved it! Highly recommended for every young man to read.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By C. Terry
Format:Hardcover
Moving to Baltimore is hard enough for thirteen-year-old Cody Parker, but being overweight makes it nearly impossible. At the first day of baseball practice, Cody can hardly wait to show the coach on the Dulaney Babe Ruth League how good he is at third base. But the infield position is also coveted by Dante Rizzo, who walks by, jabs him in the ribs, and shouts, "Do yourself a favor, fat boy! Find another position!" When Cody earns the spot, he has made an enemy for life.
Because Cody is so good and practices hard, he is befriended at school by some of his teammates. But one day Dante goes after him in front of kids after school, where he is saved by the karate kicks of his friend Jessica, making his humiliation even worse. Adding to the story is the mystery surrounding the stealing of kids' stuff at school that threatens to keep Cody from playing in the championship game of the season.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel that has dugout humor, likable characters, and realistic problems. The book addresses bullying and theft without being didactic, and I think fifth and sixth graders (even the girls) would like to hear it read aloud. I would definitely buy Hothead, the first in the All-Stars series. (Review from a retired school librarian.)
Because Cody is so good and practices hard, he is befriended at school by some of his teammates. But one day Dante goes after him in front of kids after school, where he is saved by the karate kicks of his friend Jessica, making his humiliation even worse. Adding to the story is the mystery surrounding the stealing of kids' stuff at school that threatens to keep Cody from playing in the championship game of the season.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel that has dugout humor, likable characters, and realistic problems. The book addresses bullying and theft without being didactic, and I think fifth and sixth graders (even the girls) would like to hear it read aloud. I would definitely buy Hothead, the first in the All-Stars series. (Review from a retired school librarian.)
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
love them
Gave the book to my Grandson for his birthday. He was very happy to receive it. I hope to get more for him.
Published 13 days ago by janvila
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Donated to OES as a resource book relative to their no bully policy. It is also on the AACounty School approved reading list.
Published 19 days ago by Geraldine Matthiesen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
This was a present for my 10 year old grandson who is an avid baseball player. He loves them. Can't stop reading.
Published 24 days ago by Jayme Kelso
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great read for my son and Me
Action packed, and full of play by play really baseball action. Great characters that my son can identify. Read more
Published 1 month ago by sad buyer
4.0 out of 5 stars
A good read
I previewed this book for my middle school students. As a school librarian I was looking for some new baseball books this spring and stumble upon the Cal Rigken Jr. series. Read more
Published 1 month ago by Patty P.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great middle grade read for boys
My middle grade son loves this series. The new one always comes out around his birthday, and it is always the first item on his birthday list. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Jen R
4.0 out of 5 stars
You'll just want to keep reading it!
IT'S OVER 9,000!!! WHOOOOOOO!!! What do you want from me?! What do you want from me?! 1 2 4 4 4 7
Published 6 months ago by By Tommy Thortis
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