{"product_id":"curveball-isbn-9781368090094","title":"Curveball","description":"\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRoller Girl \u003c\/i\u003emeets \u003ci\u003eCardboard Kingdom \u003c\/i\u003ein this original, contemporary graphic novel for kids, from the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling and award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eA Hero's Guide to Summer Vacation\u003c\/i\u003e, Pablo Cartaya, in partnership with \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e best-selling illustrator Miguel Díaz Rivas.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBaseball is Elena Rueda’s entire life: She may be the only girl on her team, but she’s the best player and everyone knows it. Except . . . Elena has stopped having fun, and it’s time to leave the sport behind.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe problem is, Elena has no idea who she is without a bat in her hand. Can a summer spent with her brother's quirky friends in an empty sandlot that offers a world of possibility show Elena who she is—and teach her to love to play again?\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Sure to be a heartwarming hit.” —Johnnie Christmas, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling author of \u003ci\u003eSwim Team\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e | \u003cb\u003eA 2024 ALA Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List Selection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA 2025 Texas Little Mavericks Graphic Novel Reading List Selection\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eCurveball\u003c\/i\u003e is a lively adventure, rounding the corners of fun, family, and friends before diving into the power of imagination. It’s sure to be a heartwarming hit.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eJohnnie Christmas\u003c\/b\u003e, #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling author of \u003ci\u003eSwim Team\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Bursting with imagination, \u003ci\u003eCurveball\u003c\/i\u003e dazzles with great writing and kinetic artwork. I loved it!”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eRaúl the Third\u003c\/b\u003e, three-time Pura Belpré Award–winning author-illustrator of the World of Vamos books\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A heartfelt story about following your own path while discovering the power of imagination and friendship. \u003ci\u003eCurveball\u003c\/i\u003e will be a sure hit with readers!”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eKristin Varner\u003c\/b\u003e, critically acclaimed author of \u003ci\u003eHorse Trouble\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“\u003ci\u003eCurveball \u003c\/i\u003edrives home the vital message that it’s okay to play to win, it’s okay to play for fun, and the best games are the ones where you can do both. You will find yourself rooting for this family!”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003eMike Dawson\u003c\/b\u003e, award-winning author of \u003ci\u003eThe Fifth Quarter\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“Refreshing . . . A solid story of sports and emotional growth in an unexpected, imaginative package.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“A moving take on the struggles of growing up surrounded by the pressure to succeed and lacking the opportunity to explore different facets of oneself. [With] vibrant color and kinetic movement, this grounded tale of self-discovery transcends a rote sports narrative.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher’s Weekly\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003e \u003c\/i\u003e\u003cbr\u003e“[\u003ci\u003eCurveball \u003c\/i\u003ehas] something for every reader.”\u003cbr\u003e—\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e | \u003cb\u003ePablo Cartaya\u003c\/b\u003e is an  internationally acclaimed author, screenwriter, speaker, and educator.  His work has been featured in the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eWashington Post\u003c\/i\u003e, NBC,  and on Oprah’s Booklist. Pablo has worked with Disney, Apple TV+, and  \u003ci\u003eSesame Street\u003c\/i\u003e on projects adapted from television series and movies. In  2021, he served as a judge for the National Book Award in Young People's  Literature and has taught creative writing workshops and spoken at  various universities and conferences throughout the world. He calls  Miami home and Cuban American his cultura.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMiguel Díaz Rivas\u003c\/b\u003e is a freelance illustrator from Cabra, Spain, and the \u003ci\u003eNew York Times \u003c\/i\u003ebest-selling illustrator of \u003ci\u003eFGTeeV Presents: Into the Game\u003c\/i\u003e. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Media and Communications and studied illustration and animation at ESDIP in Madrid.","brand":"Disney Hyperion","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46302036230373,"sku":"NP9781368090094","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9781368090094.jpg?v=1767724384","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/products\/curveball-isbn-9781368090094","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}