52 pages 1 hour read

Carl Deuker

Heart of a Champion

Fiction | Novel | YA | Published in 1994

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Before You Read

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Super Short Summary

Originally published in 1993, Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker follows the California boy, Seth, whose father died prematurely, leaving a huge void. Seth befriends Jimmy, whose love of baseball becomes Seth’s passion as well. After Jimmy's death in an alcohol-induced car crash, Seth writes the narrative as a way of coping. The novel addresses serious issues including teenage drinking, alcoholism, domestic abuse, and death.

Reviews & Readership

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Review Roundup

Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker captures the essence of friendship and determination in the world of high school baseball. Readers praise its realistic portrayal of teenage struggles and the strong character development. However, some note that the plot can be predictable at times. Overall, it's a compelling read for sports enthusiasts and fans of coming-of-age stories.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Heart of a Champion?

Readers who enjoy Heart of a Champion by Carl Deuker will likely appreciate sports dramas and coming-of-age stories. Fans of novels such as Friday Night Lights by H.G. Bissinger and Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes by Chris Crutcher, which blend athletics with deep emotional themes, would find this book engaging.

RecommendedReading Age

12-18years

Lexile Level

650L

Book Details

Topics

Sports

Addiction / Substance Abuse

Relationships

Genre

Coming of Age / Bildungsroman

Children's Literature

Education

Themes

Values/Ideas: Loyalty & Betrayal

Relationships: Friendship

Life/Time: Coming of Age