It is so much more than that, and one that will appeal to male and female readers. While baseball is the impetus for much of the drama, CURVEBALL: THE YEAR I LOST MY GRIP should not be considered a sports book. He is able to hook the most reluctant readers and prolific enough that by the time they've finished all his books, there is nothing reluctant about them.

No one writes teenage boys like Jordan Sonnenblick. Suddenly, Peter has to redefine himself, and he is fortunate to have Angelika, a cool girl from his photography class, to help him do it. Unfortunately, he ruins his pitching arm before the year even begins, and his grandfather is suddenly acting strange, giving Peter his expensive camera equipment and spacing out. He always dreamed that he and his best friend, AJ, would be the young heroes of the high school baseball team, beloved by girls and worshipped by everyone else. Peter Friedman's freshman year is not shaping up the way he had hoped. San Lee from Zen and the Art of Faking It makes a few cameo appearances! All of these threads draw together for a very satisfying ending. The grandfather's condition continues to deteriorate. He and Angelika become closer but also face some challenges. AJ still thinks that Peter will end up pitching and tries to get him to get ready for try outs.

He and Angelika are made the coeditors of the yearbook sports photo division, so spend a lot of time together. When Peter's grandfather suddenly gives him all of his photography equipment, Peter is grateful but also worried about the mental lapses that his grandfather has been having. Moving with him is Angelika, a smart mouthed but cute girl who shares his interests. Peter's grandfather is a wedding photographer who has always encouraged Peter to take pictures, so Peter starts out the year in 9th grade taking Intro to Photography, but soon gets moved to the advanced class. Peter is a hotshot baseball pitcher who works well with his lunkhead friend AJ until a serious elbow injury makes it impossible for him to pitch or play ball ever again.

The year i lost my grip