Safe at Home (Comeback Kids Series) » (Reprint)

Mike Lupica lives in Connecticut.

Nick Crandall feels like he doesn't belong anywhere. He never has felt like he belongs, really. He doesn't fit in this new family with his new foster parents, both of whom are professors. They don't know the first thing about sports—and he's not exactly a model student. It's only a matter of time until they realize he's not the right kid for them. And Nick certainly doesn't belong playing varsity baseball. He's only twelve years old! His teammates want a catcher their own age, not some kid. But Nick needs to prove something. He needs to prove that he belongs—to his parents, to his team, and to himself.

#1 New York Times bestseller Mike Lupica continues his tribute to the underdog in his new series for young middle-grade readers.

Children's Literature

Nick Crandell loves to play baseball. He is the catcher for the junior varsity team and is looking forward to playing on the summer baseball team. One day, he notices the varsity coach watching him practice and though he thinks little about it, he is amazed when the coach comes up to him and offers him the catcher's position on the varsity team—a position now not next year. The varsity catcher has broken a wrist and the team needs Nick. However, the uncertainty of being able to play with the older boys seeks to destroy the remarkable chance that Nick has been given. The older boys are not happy to have the JV player on their team and the pressure of their displeasure affects Nick's confidence and play. It is not long before the lack of confidence infiltrates all of Nick's life; his relationships with friends, with family, with school all suffer as he struggles to prove his ability to play varsity. One big blow out with his best friend, Gracie, and Nick knows that he must rethink his complaints against those who really do care about him. This is a sweet story of young teen identity and how sports can both help and hurt that process. Lupica's fans will enjoy this addition to his "Comeback Kids" series for young readers. Reviewer: Janis Flint-Ferguson