Singled Out

(Hardback)

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Description

There was a time when all was right in Taylor Dresden's world -- that is, as long as she was on the baseball diamond, pitching with all her heart. But that was years ago. Now, as she heads toward her senior year, the magic is gone. There's no competition in her New Jersey high school, and summer league is not much better. With the scouts losing interest on account of her poor grades, and with the challenge of the game gone, Taylor has made a difficult decision: She won't be playing her senior year. Everything changes when a local, elite, all-boys prep school recruits Taylor for its own baseball team. One of the first three girls ever to attend, Taylor begins to see that she genuinely does have the opportunity to create some real change in her life, her way -- and just maybe for the better. But the Hazelton School is a rich boy's world, its student body run by the Statesmen -- an organisation determined to force Taylor and the other girls out of their school. Their leader, Sam Barrett, may well be more than he seems, but in a school where not only the sports, but the classes too, are harder than ever, Taylor may never have a chance to find out. Taylor knows she's a great pitcher, but can she be a great student Can she succeed in the face of devious boys who will stop at nothing to get rid of her Will she rise above them or sink to their level -- or will she be gone before she can do either Singled Out, the exciting sequel to Thrown a Curve, will answer these questions as Taylor struggles to find her place beyond the pitcher's mound.

Reviews

Taylor's story will appeal to athletic girls as well as to reluctant readers from middle school up. The story works, and readers will hope that Taylor's story continues in more books. -VOYA Griffiths writes in deliberately unadorned prose in order to attract reluctant readers. Her story, however, reflects Taylor's dignity and never panders to immature readers, demonstrating a keen understanding of and respect for her audience. Her sentences may be simple, but her story is not. Taylor shows courage and determination as she remains wary of her fellow students yet decides to risk taking Sam's offered help. The suspense will keep even reluctant readers hooked as Taylor seeks both revenge and success. A solid effort with appeal to a wide audience. -Kirkus Reviews Thrown a Curve has been a part of my students' independent reading list from the start. I'll be happy to add its engaging sequel, Singled Out. My readers identified with Taylor and will be happy to see how she has matured. With Taylor, Sara Griffiths created a wonderfully believable character and drawn her readers in with viable solutions for overcoming life's obstacles. My ESL students have asked about the sequel and I cannot wait to tell them it will soon be available. -Dawn Ring, Bilingual/ESL Department Chairperson, Vineland High School--South Campus, Vineland, NJ I recommend this book to readers of all ages, especially young adults, because this book was geared towards them. It teaches about courage and survival in a time of fear and complete isolation. And it reminds me of The Chocolate War and The Wave, so if you liked these books, this book is definitely something you will want to read. Singled Out shows that anything is possible as long as you put your mind to it. -Stephanie Kromer, Educator Singled Out is a real page turner! As in Thrown a Curve, I am impressed with Griffiths' writing style and her ability to raise issues that affect not only adolescents but adults as well: loneliness, low self-esteem, poor communication, family problems, goal-setting, and the importance of mentors and caring friends. She has deftly woven in moral values, including the futility of revenge, which she tied to the book The Count of Monte Cristo. Singled Out is a compelling and thought- provoking book. -Jeanne Doremus, Retired Teacher and Curriculum Supervisor

Author Bio

Sara Griffiths is a young adult author and teacher. Her first novel, Thrown A Curve, was published in May 2007. Sara has been teaching language arts to seventh and eighth grade students for many years. She began writing to provide struggling students novels that were age appropriate but easy to read. Sara is a graduate of Rutgers College in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She is a teacher at South Orange Middle School in South Orange, New Jersey. She is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English, the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, and the New Jersey Education Association. Sara currently resides in Whitehouse Station, New Jersey with her husband, Jamie, and their son, Benjamin.