286. Power at the Plate by Scott Ciencin

Power at the Plate by Scott Ciencin. Art by Zoar Huerto. (Canada) - (US)
Sports Illustrated Kids Graphic Novels (Baseball)

Pages: 50
Ages: 10+
Finished: Dec. 26, 2011
First Published: Aug. 1, 2011
Publisher: Stone Arch Books
Genre: YA, children, graphic novel, easy reader, sports
Rating: 4/5

First sentence:

WHOOSH!  Did you feel that?

Acquired: Received a review copy from Capstone Press.

Reason for Reading: I have read a couple of books from this series and was very impressed with them.

This series of hi-lo easy readers for reluctant readers or those with LDs is impressive in it's execution.  Appealing to young to mid-teens this story centres round two step brothers who do not get along, ages 14 & 15, they play on the same baseball team with the eldest receiving all the glory.  The youngest is a good player but he feels as if no one ever pays any attention to him as he's always living in his brother's shadow so he sets out to destroy his brothers lucky charm and prove he can play a good game and get the attention himself.

Typical teen situation, behaviour and language.  An uneasy relationship is worked out through honesty and good sportsmanship in the end.  The story will appeal up to age 15 and yet the reading level is very low, listed at RL: 1.6 and GRL: J.  A well worked out, interesting story, that will appeal to its targeted audience.