Building a Team: A Baseball Buddies Story
When Luis joins his new baseball team, the Manatees, things seem hopeless at first. Some of his new teammates— including “loud and obnoxious” home-run slugger Jimmie—are mean to him or to each other. His new coach doesn’t tell the players everything to do like his old coach did. And some of the Manatees seem more interested in goofing off than in sportsmanship or working hard.
Then Coach Joe makes Luis team captain. Will Luis rise to the challenge? Can he get the Manatees to balance working hard and having fun? Will he help his teammates learn to be friends rather than compete with each other?
Baseball Buddies explores the power of working together, what it takes to build a team, and the lasting friendships that form on the baseball field.
152 pages / Ages 8 to 12. Available in print everywhere books are sold. Also available as an ebook or audiobook.
Click here to read a sample chapter.
Book 1 available April 2, 2024. Book 2 available spring 2025!
Early reviews for Building a Team
“BUILDING A TEAM (Baseball Buddies) by Aaron Derr is a love letter to baseball and the enduring values it instills in everyone who plays it. … This is a classic baseball story: a mixture of sports talk, memorable characters, and valuable insights into dealing with friends and enemies.” — Independent Book Review STARRED review
“A wonderful narrative for readers who love baseball that also offers valuable lessons to those who don’t. Readers follow Luis as he learns leadership skills in a smooth, well-paced narrative that models good communication and perseverance. They’ll find themselves rooting for the Manatees as the story builds and playoffs approach.” — Kirkus Reviews
Baseball Buddies Book 1: Building a Team is a Mom’s Choice Awards® Gold Award Recipient: Named among the best in family-friendly media, products and services by the prestigious Mom’s Choice Awards®. Other awards include the Readers’ Choice Silver Award and the Parent and Teacher Choice Award.