Fast Pitch by Nic Stone – Book Review

Title: Fast Pitch Author: Nic Stone Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers Release Date: August 31, 2021

Fast-pitch softball captain Shenice “Lightning” Lockwood has nothing else on her mind besides leading her team to the sectional championship and beyond. As the only all-Black team among a sea of mostly white faces, a championship win means more than just a trophy, especially in the Lockwood family, a family known for its generational talent. When Shenice meets her Great Uncle Jack, he tells her the tale of his big brother’s career and a crime and set-up that abruptly ended it. To restore her great grandfather’s (and family’s) good name, Shenice must dig into the past while trying to keep her feet and cleats firmly planted in the present. With time running out and few games left to play, can Shenice clear her family’s name and lead her team to a history-making win?

Fast Pitch by Nic Stone is a fast-paced, tender, coming-of-age story that will enthrall readers. It’s a testament to Stone’s ability that the novel not only balances an exquisite mix of sports, mystery, family, history, and contemporary issues but also that Shenice’s voice shines throughout. Her family and their love for one another is heart-warming, and her quest to right a racist wrong inspires. Despite the lightning quick ending, Shenice’s story will stay with readers long after turning the last page.

Fast Pitch will be blazing off the shelves in libraries and middle grade classrooms everywhere. Both accessible and attention-grabbing, readers will love Shenice’s story. Educators will also find plenty to like about Fast Pitch. With increasing (and overdue) recognition of the Negro Leagues’ significant contributions to baseball history, Fast Pitch’s will strike a chord with young readers interested to learn more. It’s a history that needs to be taught because the lessons of the past shine light on the present and can shape meaningful action for the future. Fast Pitch offers that prism. Coupled with a deep exploration of history and eager students, educators will have an all-star team capable of hitting it out of the park in the classroom.

Thank you to NetGalley and publisher, Crown Books for Young Readers, for an eARC of this book.

Classroom Applications

• Cross-Curricular Unit – Teach the novel in conjunction with a nonfiction study of the history of the Negro Baseball League. Team up with the Physical Education teacher to coordinate a softball unit at the same time.
• Literature Circles – Use novel for small groups or choice reading with a variety of books that focus on sports, history of segregation, or mysteries.

Nonfiction Connections

The list below outlines topics that will enrich your students’ understanding of the novel.

• Negro Leagues Baseball
• Negro League Baseball Hall of Fame
• Negro League Baseball Museum (NLBM)
• First Black Players in the MLB
• Jim Crow Laws & Segregation
• WWII Black Military Veterans

Book Companions

The following are great books to pair with Fast Pitch. In parenthesis are the specific aspects students could explore when synthesizing across the texts.

• Clean Getaway by Nic Stone (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA by Brenda Woods (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)
• Lupe Wong Won’t Dance by Donna Barba Higuera (Character Connections, Nonfiction Connections, Themes)

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