Heart of a Champion

by Carl Deuker

Book Overview

Baseball keeps them together- but will loss break them apart? This moving story about friendship, grief, and the healing power of sports is a loving ode to the people that keep us batting a thousand, even when we lose our strength.

Seth and Jimmy both live and breathe baseball, but while Seth struggles to be good enough to make the varsity team, Jimmy, a natural, looks like he's on is way to becoming a major league star some day. Still,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316067261
• ISBN13: 9780316067263
• Release Date: April 2007
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

What a great book!

Heart of a Champion is probably the greatest book I ever read. It is about a boy named Seth who¹s dad died when he was just a little kid. His father played golf and so did Seth. Seth didn¹t like it very much however. He started playing baseball with a kid named Jimmy who had all roads leading to the majors. They go through all sorts of obstacles like school and Jimm¹ys dad getting divorced from Jimmy¹s mother. However, after all the twists and turns throughout the book, there is a great ending at the end. This is a great book for baseball lovers such as myself. It has a good plot and what makes it really interesting is its baseball knowledge. The author does a great job of putting in baseball facts and strategies as well as exciting games that Seth and Jimmy play together. If you are any kind of baseball fan but you don¹t read too much, this book will keep you reading it until the end!

A great second novel

Although not as original as his first novel, "On the Devil's Court," Carl Deuker has produced an excellent second novel in "Heart of a Champion." Darker in tone due to the death of the narrator's father, the alcoholism addressed in the book, and the ending, "Heart of a Champion" is also one of the best baseball novels I've ever read. The friendship between Seth and Jimmy is gripping, especially for those of us who have had friends more talented than we are. I read this novel in a single sitting, and found much the same sense of tension throughout the novel: if you love baseball, you're not going to be able to put this one down either.

A great story about friendship, baseball, and growing up.

HEART OF A CHAMPION tells a story about two very different boys, and what brings them together. Seth's father recently died, and he's feeling lost. He meets Jimmy Winter and so the story begins. Seth and Jimmy learn about life while they learn about baseball. They celebrate their victories and their failures on the field and in life. This book deals with important issues such as death, divorce, alcoholism and peer pressure. Deuker's dialogue is realistic, and you can hear the crack of the bat in his baseball descriptions. The plot moves along quickly, and keeps interest levels high. This is a good book even for someone who really doesn't read much for pleasure. I highly recommend it.

Compelling Book for all ages!!!

As, the two best friends, Seth and Jimmy work hard to clinch the high school baseball league title, many things start to break up their friendship. Both boys had been having some tough family problems. When Jimmy starts getting involved with alcohol, Seth tries everything he can to save his friend from losing his future as a major league baseball player. But then something happens that will change both of their lives forever. If you are anxious to find out what happens read the novel by Carl Dueker. Heart of a Champion is a compelling book for all ages. It is best for any teenager between the ages of 12-15. This story relates to the problems of everyday teens. For sure it will clench your heart. It has been rated a five star novel(*****) by many authors and publishers for sure..

Greatest book EVER

I just like to give some info on me. Never read a book. I never read a full chapter book. Untill this one. THE BEST. All of his books have a certain grab that just pulls you toward it. I guarrenty that you'll LOVE this book.