When Luis joins his new baseball team, the Manatees, things seem pretty hopeless at first. Some of his new teammates―including "loud and obnoxious" home-run slugger Jimmie―are mean to him or to each other. His new coach doesn't tell the players everything to do like his old coach did. And some of the Manatees seem more interested in goofing off than in sportsmanship or working hard. Then Luis is surprisingly named captain of his new team, and he finds himself with a whole new set of problems. How will he get this odd-ball group of teammates to work together? "The book's strength lies in its insight into player personalities and interactions. When Luis is named captain, it causes hard feelings with Aliyah, who thinks she deserved the title. Luis's relationship with Jimmie is prickly from the start. But with effort, Luis becomes a model of understanding and capable leadership, and the team chemistry begins to gel. Baseball Buddies is a largely enjoyable story about getting along with others and finding ways to have fun while pursuing larger goals." -- Blue Ink Reviews A love letter to baseball and the enduring values it instills in everyone who plays the game "Baseball Buddies: Building a Team begins with the visceral joy that the first day of Spring brings to baseball fans, and it follows through with a group of young teammates over the course of one season. This is a classic baseball story: a mixture of sports talk, memorable characters, and valuable insights into dealing with friends and enemies. It is a heartwarming story that will make even older readers long to take their glove out and find the nearest baseball diamond." -- Warren Maxwell for Independent Book Review "As a baseball announcer, I get to see big leaguers up close every day at work. As a dad, I see my own little leaguers at home all year 'round. And I see a little of both when I think of Luis, Gary and the rest of the Manatees in Baseball Buddies . Whatever your level, it's a perfect tale of building a team, working hard, trying your best and - of course - having fun!" — Scott Franzke, radio play-by-play voice of the Philadelphia Phillies Loved it! "The story shows perfectly how a team grows, how friendships are formed, & demonstrates the proper way to behave in the sport. Great images! Sports are an integral part of many children's lives. Adults too. No matter the age group that plays the sport, teams have to learn how to play as a cohesive unit. That takes time. Patience. Communication. Trust. And lots and lots of practice. If your child loves baseball, they will want to read this book. It shows perfectly how a team grows, how friendships are formed, and demonstrates the proper way to behave in the sport. Any sport, for that matter!" -- Kameron Brook blogger at KamsPlace 2024 Mom's Choice GOLD Award Winner Aaron Derr is a writer based just outside of Dallas, Texas. He has morethan 20 years of experience writing and editing magazines and books for kids of all ages for companies such as Red Chair Press, TIME For Kids, Sports Illustrated for Kids and the Boy Scouts of America. When he's not reading or writing, Aaron enjoys watching and playing sports with his wife and two kids. He's learned a lot from his home team about being a good sport and building teams. He may or may not have been named after Hank Aaron. Aaron Derr is a writer based just outside of Dallas, Texas. He has more than 15 years of experience writing and editing magazines and books for kids of all ages. Gary Lacoste has designed games for clients including Hasbro, Nickelodeon, and LEGO. He has also illustrated more than 25 books and is a regular contributor to kids' magazines including Highlights , TIME for Kids , and Clubhouse Jr. He lives in western Massachusetts.