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The Big Field (by Mike Lupica)

common sense media says

Action-packed, emotional dad-son baseball story.

parents & educators say
  • 50% say there are positive messages
See all 12 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that, aside from the mentions of some products, there is nothing to be concerned about here. Hutch, despite some understandable mistakes, is a great role model of conscious sportsmanship and team playing.

Positive messages: Lupica deftly uses Hutch's rivalry with Darryl to lay bare Hutch's
troubled relationship with his distant and disappointed father, who has
given up on life and wants Hutch to do the same. This is what you hope
for when you recommend a sports book to reluctant readers: action that
will keep them riveted to the page in a story will help deepen their
understanding of the game, of people, and of life.
Positive role models: Hutch works hard a being a good person and team captain, and at doing the right thing.
Violence: A brief scuffle.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Gatorade, Blockbuster, Dairy Queen, Nike, Dell.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Hutch's dad drinks beer a lot.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on The Big Field

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about Hutch's dad. Why is he the way he is?
  • Why did losing his baseball dream hit him so hard?
  • Why can't he connect with his son? Also, why does Hutch love the game so much?
  • Have you ever felt that way about a sport?

What's the story?

What's the story?
When shortstop Hutch is moved to second base on his team to make room for more talented, but arrogant, new player Darryl, he rolls with the punches for the good of the team. But when he sees his own father, who never seems to have any time for or interest in him, coaching Darryl, he can't handle it, and endangers both what's left of his relationship with his dad, and his team's chances in the championship.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Here's what most good sports books are: exciting, suspenseful, action-packed. This one is too -- the many game and practice scenes are fast-paced and lovingly described. Here's what some of the best baseball books are: lyrical, almost poetic, in their attempt to capture that indefinable feeling that makes baseball different from any other sport. This one is too -- Lupica's sharp and rhythmic prose brilliantly captures the passion, joy, intelligence, and beauty of the summertime sport.

Here's what most of those other books are not: moving, powerfully emotional, as much concerned with the characters as with the sports action. But this one is. There's really only one other writer who can pack this much emotion and sheer intelligence into sports fiction for kids: Bruce Brooks, and he hasn't had a new novel in years. Lupica deftly uses Hutch's rivalry with Darryl to lay bare Hutch's troubled relationship with his distant and disappointed father, who has given up on life and wants Hutch to do the same. This is what you hope for when you recommend a sports book to reluctant readers: action that will keep them riveted to the page in a story will help deepen their understanding of the game, of people, and of life.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Mike Lupica
Publisher: Philomel
Publication date: February 25, 2008
Number of pages: 288
Hardcover price: $17.99
Read Aloud: 9
Read Alone: 10
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

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What parents & educators say

9
Based on 4 parent & educator reviews:
  • 50% say there are positive messages
Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

makinaaaaa
teen, 18 years old
9
 
Some People over 9. Dad is not a good role model.
The big field.... i used for a book report in 8th grade english, let me tell you it was a bore. I finshed it and thought it was someone okay. i love softball and baseball , day in and dayout, however the way that this book described the plays on the infield, outfield, and in the batters box were a dread. I sat there with a blank stare wondering what i was going to do the following period in the school. I wonder what went through with this guy, mike lupica when he decribes his sences to us as the reader? Other than the baseball aspect(which I was disipointed) the drama was wonderful. I did read another book by the author mike lupica and this boook was amazing , a total jaw dropper. However this one i was sad about knowing that mike lupica could do way better. so sad about this but i finshed it.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (12) | read my mind (11)
Jill Murphy
parent of 2 year old
 
We Love Mike Lupica!
My kids loved Heat and now The Big Field. The author really knows how to write stories that appeal to young kids -- especially to young boys. It's thoughtfully written and brings the reader beyond the game but into the life of the characters.
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helped me decide (11) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (10)
852Mae852
kid, 13 years old
11
 
I loved it
I loved The Big Field. I thought tha t it was a great book that always had something going on. It is fun and up to date. If you like sports books then I really recommend this book.
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (11) | read my mind (10)
superbook
adult
7
 
Reading Jungle's Review
This fast-paced sports drama follows the challenges faced by 14-year old star shortstop Hutch Hutchinson. His love of baseball is put to the test with the arrival of competing shortstop and stronger player "D-Will." This further complicates Hutch's tense relationship with his father, himself a former shortstop and disappointed minor leaguer. This attention-grabbing tale relates positive lessons learned about baseball, team, and father relationships. Visit *readingjungle* for the full review and recommended book lists!
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helped me decide (10) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (10)
pats15
teen, 16 years old
13
 
This is a great book, that I would recommend to others.
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (10) | read my mind (9)
I love the big ...
teen, 15 years old
7
 
New York Times
It is a wonderful book
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helped me decide (9) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (8)
sb34chick
educator
9
 
Fantastic Read
Mike Lupica does it again. A great story for those readers looking for something a little more challenging than Matt Christopher's famous sports books.
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (8) | read my mind (9)
Ridley21
adult
12
 
Perfect for teenagers (12,13,14,15,16,17,18)
My 13 year old son hates to read and out of all of the books he had to read in his life he only liked three books and "The Big Field" is one of those three books
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helped me decide (8) | had useful details (6) | read my mind (8)
austin343
kid, 12 years old
10
 
perfect
i like this book because it is just good
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helped me decide (6) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (7)
kobe_bryant_rules
teen, 14 years old
12
 
good book
it was a very good book i enjoyed reading it
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (7) | read my mind (5)
Whoops
teen, 15 years old
8
 
Great!
It's a great book! I had to read it for school and it was a bumber cause I don't like reading,but once I started I coldn't stop!It's truely a GREAT story.
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (2)
seaniscool
kid, 12 years old
12
 
the big feild
GREAT BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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