Do you miss going to the ballpark to root, root, root for our home team? We do too!
Each year the Pittsburgh Pirates, through the Pirates Tales reading program, rewards kids and teens who complete their summer reading goals with a visit to the ballpark. While we can’t read our way to see the Pirates play at PNC Park this summer, we can check out these books about baseball and cheer them on to victory (from a distance of course!).
Let’s go Bucs!
These titles are recommended for teens in grades 6-12.
You can sign up for a free library card here. If you are new to our eResources, check out these tutorial videos on how to get started.
If you’re looking for more book suggestions, we’re happy to recommend them! Use this Book Recommendation form to send us some information about what you like to read and we’ll curate a list just for you.
If you have any additional questions, you can contact a librarian through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. You can also call us at 412-622-3114 or email us at info@carnegielibrary.org.
A biography, in graphic novel format, of Latin American baseball star Roberto Clemente. It chronicles Clemente’s life from his early days growing up in rural Puerto Rico, to the highlights of his career (including the 1960 World Series where he helped the Pirates win their first victory in 33 years and his 3000th hit in 1972 during the last official at-bat of his life). You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla.
An eye-opening look at the life and legacy of Jackie Robinson, the man who broke the color barrier in Major League Baseball and became an American hero. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
A small-town boy questions everything he holds to be true when his father is accused of murder. The rules of baseball, Braden’s favorite sport, are blurred in ways he never realized. The prospect of playing against the nephew of the police officer his father is accused of killing haunts his every pitch. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
This manga series centers around a boy named Ko, the family of four sisters who live down the street and the game of baseball.
When her school is shut down due to an asbestos problem, all-star pitcher Gabby Garcia is sent to an upscale private school that already has a star pitcher, and to make matters worse, she has trouble making friends and finding her place. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
As king of baseball in the small town of Lewis Creek, Eric Perry can have any girl he wants and win every game he plays. But when a fight lands him in jail, he’s only got one more strike before his baseball career is over for good. His only chance for redemption? The girl next door, Bri Johnson. You can check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she has to find a way to hold on to her spot as the catcher for a team expected to make a historic tournament run. The painkillers she’s been prescribed can help her get there. The pills do more than take away pain; they make her feel good. As pressure heightens, her need increases, and it becomes less about pain and more about want, something that could send her spiraling out of control. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby, as eBook on Overdrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
The story of an eighteen-year-old becomes the first female ever drafted by a major league baseball team. You can also check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Hoopla.
All Charlene “Charley” Lemain wants in the world is to play softball well enough to get into UT and to hang with her bestie Kaylee. Then, she tears her rotator cuff and has to spend most of her senior year not playing, not practicing, not doing much of anything but watching Kaylee cheer and flirt with her quarterback boyfriend. As with besties, Kaylee sets Charley up for homecoming. It’s a nice enough date until Brant confides in her that he’s glad Charley’s “like him.” Like him? What does that mean? Charley needs to figure out what’s going on in her body, in her life, and most importantly, in her heart. You can check out this title as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.
Twelve-year-old Nick García dreams of winning MVP of his summer baseball league, of finding a cure for his sister, of meeting his hero, Yankee pitcher Michael Arroyo, and of no longer living in fear of the government and ICE agents. You can also check out this title as eAudio on Overdrive/Libby or as eBook on Overdrive/Libby.