After enduring a nightmare season with a 21-game losing streak, Cal Ripken has to find a way to maintain belief in himself and his team in order to get back on track and win the way he knows he and his team can. Grade 2-5–A Hall of Famer baseball player takes a pensive look back at a difficult period in his long career. The 1988 season began on a hopeful note for the Orioles: Cal's brother, Bill, had been called up from the minors to play second base and their father was their manager. They still felt hopeful even after they lost their first few games at home. After the first week, though, they were 0-6, and Cal Sr. was fired. Cal felt that he had let his father down. Frank Robinson, a former player and Hall of Famer, was brought on board as the new manager, but the Orioles continued to struggle until their streak finally ended at 21. From this experience, the author is able to draw some lessons, noting: Winning is easy on a person, but you learn more from losing. He asserts that losing forces you to keep trying, makes you realize how much you need your teammates, and can even teach you how to win. Mazellan's color-drenched illustrations capture the emotional intensity of the narrative. Ripken's straightforward observations and heartfelt recollections make this a book that should connect with many young readers.– Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. Cal Ripken, Jr. lives in Maryland. Ron Mazellan lives in Marion, Indiana.