Product Description

As the star closer for his high school baseball team, Shane Hunter is untouchable. Firing fastballs at ninety miles per hour, he loves being a winner. But when his father is accused of a crime, Shane's charmed world is turned upside down. Nothing is the way it once was, and Shane's not sure he wants to -- or even can -- pitch ever again. But like baseball, life sometimes throws you curves, and Shane discovers it's how you play the game that counts most of all.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #597503 in Books
• Published on: 2005-03-14
• Original language: English
• Binding: Paperback
• 352 pages

From School Library Journal
Grade 7 Up-Shane Hunter's life of privilege disintegrates when his dad is arrested for money laundering and commits suicide. The teen, his mother, and his younger sister are forced to move out of their palatial home and into subsidized housing in a tough part of Seattle. Shane has a difficult time adjusting, and is eventually arrested for stealing beer from a convenience store. As part of his probation, he must help repair a local baseball diamond. There, he meets the coach of his public school's baseball team, who encourages him to try out. A crucial moment comes when Shane, a relief pitcher with a blazing fastball, faces the team from his old private school. His anger rises to the surface, and he delivers a fastball directly at the head of Reese Robertson, the kid whose family bought Shane's house. Reese is hospitalized, and although Shane affects a lack of concern, he is so rattled that his pitching skills deteriorate. The rest of the novel follows his attempts to get both his arm and his life back on track, and the uneasy bond he forms with Reese. Deuker avoids easy answers in the book's ambiguous but truthful conclusion. Non-sports fans may find too many game descriptions to hold their interest, but devotees will be rewarded with a story that delivers baseball action along with a rich psychological portrait, told through a compelling first-person narration.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 5-8. Time and baseball work to ease a teenager's hurt in this intense, narrowly focused novel. Shane attends exclusive Shorelake High and enjoys his role as fireballing short reliever on the school's championship baseball team. All of that is swept away when his father commits suicide. Suddenly, Shane is living in public housing, and he takes a brief hiatus from baseball before trying out for his new school's ragtag team. Then, facing Shorelake, Shane throws a vicious beanball that puts star player Reese in the hospital. Shane insists (until almost the end) that it was accidental but is dismayed to discover that he's lost his fastball. Reese, too, has lost his prowess, and the two become wary allies, dedicated to helping each other come back. Shane's inner recovery is mirrored in his gradual return to form on the mound amid a welter of blowouts, close games, and sudden reversals of fortune that propel his team into the state playoffs. Readers who prefer their Hollywood endings unalloyed may be disappointed that Reese experiences no parallel recovery, but there's enough taut sports action here to satisfy the most avid fan. John Peters
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About the Author

Carl Deuker is described as “a rising young star in psychological sports fiction” by Jim Trelease in The Read-Aloud Handbook. He is the author of three sports novels, On the Devil's Court, Heart of a Champion, and Painting the Black, all of which were selected as ALA Best Books for Young Adults.

Customer Reviews

A great book for all baseball lovers!
High Heat is a book a teenage boy who has many problems that he needs to overcome in his life. He does his best to overcome his family troubles by playing baseball, which he loves and is very good at. While doing this he runs into more problems by playing baseball, but he doesn't quit. This is a great book when you think about doing what you love and not quiting. It was an inspirational book to me and it probably to many others.

What I liked about this book was that it expresses Shane Hunter's(the main character) feelings so that you feel that you are right there doing what Shane is doing. It also has many great baseball scenes, for a person that likes to play baseball you can relate to. It has him suffering and it has him starring. The book is a great balance of good and bad.

What I didnt like about this book is that it dragged some of the scenes out too much. Some of the least important scenes had too much information to them.

Great action packed baseball storey!
This book starts out straight away with controversy and conflict. Shane Hunter and his family are very well off through his father's company. They live in an extremely nice home and go to a expensive school. Shane Hunter's father commits sucicide sending him into a depression. Immediately, like most kids he turns to a new lifestyle. They have to sell there house and give up everything and go to a new school. He even gives up baseball, his true love in life. When he gets arrested and has to do community service he works with a guy who helps him get back on track. At his new school he joins the baseball team and is one of the star players. After many great outings he starts to struggle. One of the most exciting moments is when he comes face to face with his old team that used to play for. He has to face the kid who basically replaced his life (Reese). He beans the kid in the face head on. He starts to lose everything and struggle again and consisders his old lifestyles. When Shane gets it together he gets back to himself and lets baseball help him through it. When time passes his guilt sets in. To help himself he starts out by trying to help the kid he hits (Reese). Time passes and they start to become friends but Reese isn't the same. He can't play anymore. It comes down to a fierce head to head battle and Shane has to face Reese again for the win.

Incredible Story
Carl Deuker, whom I consider one of the best authors for young adult sports fiction, has delivered another winner. This book is just flat out great, and any sports fan will not be disapointed. It will keep you reading for hours until you finish the book. This book is definately worth it.