Softball Strikeout: The New Girl

by Ben Jackson, Sam Lawrence, Tanya Zeinalova (Illustrator)

It's time to throw your way into Softball Strikeout!

For Olivia , a new town, school, and softball team were possibly the last things on her mind, but after being told they’d be moving, it was now becoming a reality. Not only would she need to make new friends, but she’d also have to prove herself on her new softball team all over again.

Olivia lived and breathed softball. Growing up, the only sport she’d ever been interested in was softball, and with her dad teaching her, she’d become a pretty good pitcher.

However, finding herself now living in Greenville meant that she’d have to try out for the Blue Jays and earn her spot as a pitcher if she wanted any chance of playing softball this year. Making new friends at a new school was hard enough, but fighting your way onto one of the best softball teams in the division could be even harder.

Will Olivia make the team, and will she be able to make new friends? Or would it all go horribly wrong? Read Softball Strikeout The New Girl now to find out!

Stay tuned for more books in the Softball Strikeout Series !

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 5, 2023

About the author

Ben Jackson was born in Tasmania, Australia, and is a successful indie author that has been writing for over four years. Ben is married to Sam Lawrence, and together they specialize in self-publishing children's books. Ben is also a freelance writer that specializes in writing website content for businesses and a wide variety of different articles, along with running his own company, Author Services Australia.

They have published a series of children's books called My Little Fart Series and Hockey Wars, as well as If I Was A Caterpillar and several other non-fiction books. Their latest book, Softball Strikeout: The New Girl, is available now on Amazon.

You can connect with Ben & Sam at the following links:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/authorsbena...
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BenandSamAut...
TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@authorsbenandsam

Ben has numerous publications in progress, so stay tuned for information on those by following this page or connecting with him on Facebook or Goodreads.

Ben manages a company called Author Services Australia to help Australian authors self-publish their books, and Sam manages a company called Indie Publishing Group, which specializes in assisting Canadian indie authors.

Remember, if you enjoyed one of the books, please leave a review! As indie authors, it really helps out!

Reviews

[Fergus, Weaver of Autistic Webs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liv is leery of softball tryouts, but now she’s switched to baseball... Guess what? Coach just made her the Blue Jays' starting pitcher!

Love this super new YA read from Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence… Great for our high-stress junk-strewn times. Real Can Do stuff.

Good stuff, Liv: That's the attitude. You go girl!

Liv, girl, you've got THE RIGHT STUFF for sure. Hold Your Head High above the Crowd. You see, Liv is competitive by nature.
***

But competitive I’m not. For at the High Jump of Life, I was a loser.

A wounded (by misdiagnosis) Aspie! Everyone makes mistakes, even doctors. Well, my wound marked me inwardly as toast, while my inborn will to succeed didn’t. I was a fighting fool.

A Loser for life, I have even lost my innocence.

I’m no saint.

But Liv Shines as a Young Adult, while I couldn’t play fair cause the docs didn’t. if you can’t play fair you lose your boundaries. So as a Christian, I shocked more than saved. And to be an ordinary adult, you gotta play fair.

I couldn’t, never having learned to shut up and hold my Peace intact.
***

But let’s not talk of losers. Let’s talk of Liv.

Kids, never emulate me. Be sensible, like Liv. When the crunch comes, Liv outdoes herself.

I have learned from her.

So now, competing against myself, I’m succeeding.

Succeeding in high-jumping yet a little higher today than yesterday!

[Heather Adores Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐
Genre ~ middle grade fiction
Series ~ Softball Strikeout #1
Setting ~ Greenville (not sure where that is)
Publication date ~ July 5, 2023
Est page Count ~ 112 (13 chapters)
POV ~ single 3rd
Featuring ~ softball, friendships, supportive characters

A lovely story that follows Olivia as she navigates making new friends and joining a new softball team after her and her parents move to a new town.

It's hard to make new friends at any age. I love that Olivia put herself out there and used her love of softball as a common factor when taking a chance. There are not any mean girls in this story, and that's a breath of fresh air, especially for the ages of the characters. They are supportive and all seem pretty mature for their age, too. The added illustrations help to paint the picture of the story wonderfully.

Small side note ~ both Olivia's father and her coach are named, Frank. Seems weird to have 2 characters with the same name.

Overall, a delightful start to a new series that will follow Olivia and her family and friends, and their love of softball of course. Perfect for middle schoolers, fans of sports or anyone looking for a feel good story about friendship.

*Thanks to the author for sending me a copy. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*

Connect with me ➡ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia – Liv, for short, has just moved to a new town with her parents. The worst challenge for a young teen is to make new friends, start at a new school in a new town and worry whether or not she will be able to make the local softball team. Yes, Liv is a starting pitcher and she lives and breathes softball.

So, coming in to this new town experience, will these 3 big challenges be met for her?

As it so happens, her first day, moving day, finds her wandering around to a nearby park and seeing a couple of girls playing softball who happen to be struggling because one doesn’t do well at pitching.

When Liv offers to pitch, it begins to help her ease into taking care of challenge #1 – friendships with Becky and Charlotte – who just happen to be part of the local softball team and her new school.

Does that mean she has just met challenge #1? Or has she?

Can she now meet challenge #2 and #3, as well?

This is an upbeat YA novel that is easy-to-read. We have supportive parents, a great community spirit, wonderful self-esteem amongst the kids, and positive team spirit.

I imagine that the series will be a wonderful way of teaching kids about friendship, family, self-discipline and team work.

There are also wonderful illustrations throughout.

I want to thank the author, Ben Jackson for inviting me to read his and Sam Lawrence's book, and providing me with this complimentary book for our Little Free Library Shed. I am providing an unbiased, honest review.

Reading Level: Ages 8-12 years – Grade Level: 3rd – 7th grade

[Jill Rey · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an elementary, middle, high school, and even collegiate athlete in various sports at one time or another I can truly speak to the importance of sports for development of character, teamwork, and work ethic, among other things. From the pressure to the comradery, pre-game rituals, and everything in between, it all had such a profound effect on the person I am today.

So, to see Olivia’s story play across the page as she moves to a new town, a new house and uses her love for the sport to develop roots, make new friends, and embrace her community, it was a very real and heartwarming narrative taking shape in “Softball Strikeout: The New Girl.” As I read this to my own daughter, this story about a sport I played myself, with events like tryouts and first days of school, and lunches in the cafeteria with teammates, it was a surreal moment.

Combining my child’s love for reading, and interest in sports, authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence have taken two innate childhood interests and used them to incorporate teachable moments and many of the best attributes of sports and teams. Showing both Liv’s growth process as she embraces her love of softball, and her fears turned into positive moments, the lessons learned from this read are immense.

Whether you love softball, or just love reading, this story is relatable. I even found my own heart racing as I remembered the feeling of tryouts and the start of a new school. Hats and gloves off to illustrator Tanya Zeinalova who brought the characters and scenes to life in each chapter through her art. And a loud, standing ovation to the homerun that is “Softball Strikeout: The New Girl.”

[Keith Yagerman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this little story and the way it builds on a bigger journey. Olivia is a talented softball player moving to a new town, new school, and new team. This book (and eventual series) is a must read for young female athletes in elementary and middle school. The story was well written with a good concept, likeable characters, and an interesting plot. I have already recommended this book to my older brother, who coaches my niece's softball team. I know my niece will love this story.
Keith Yagerman-author of Braxton Rogers and the Brave New Beyond

[Rachelle LeBlanc · Rating 4 out of 5]

Olivia “Liv” lives for softball. She is a starting pitcher that has to make new friends and find a new team thanks to a recent move.

Live tries out for the local softball team, the Blue Jays. She makes the team and the girls on the team become her new friends making the move easier on her.

This was a cute quick read, and I am looking forward to book 2.

[Jdlreads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Will post my review later :)

[Danielle Warren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book for young girls/teens. My daughter is a softball pitcher and constantly has to earn her position on teams. This book did a good job of showing how a young athlete can feel in a new situation and when trying to fit in with a new group of friends. I would recommend this book to young ladies who are interested in sports.

[Grady · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Her entire life, Olivia had loved playing softball’ - a sparkling new series!

Australian author Ben Jackson has two homes - Tasmania, Australia (his birth place) and Ontario, Canada where he now lives with his Canadian born wife and co-author Sam Lawrence. Ben is a tradesman by day and a writer with Sam by night, and they both are involved in helping other indie authors in Australia and Canada. Ben and Sam have enjoyed terrific success with their HOCKEY WARS series as well as their hilarious LITTLE FART series, and now they enter a new playing field with the SOFTBALL STRIKEOUT series. Tanya Zeinalova again provides the excellent illustrations.

Ben and Sam certainly understand the attention absorbing technique for relating sports stories for the young set, blending a keen sense of the athletic insights with a fine storyline that emphasizes friendship and healthy competition. The ’new girl’ of the subtitle is Olivia (she prefers he nickname Liv) who has moved from Bakersfield where she was the star pitcher of the school’s softball team to a new town - Greenville - and discovers the Blue Jays softball team, connecting with other girls, discovering their fine pitcher has moved away, offering an opportunity for Liv to step onto the mound as star pitcher - if she can make that happen in the tryouts and beyond. The story sails, with great scenes of family interaction, new friends and school adjustments, and team traditions and evolutions - and it all works very well indeed, serving to introduce yet another fine series from Ben and Sam for the age set 8 - 14 years (and others who enjoy fine writing!). Refreshing!

[Píaras Cíonnaoíth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Softball, friendship, and new beginnings—a young pitcher's journey...

"Softball Strikeout: The New Girl" by Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence takes readers on a thrilling journey into the world of softball, friendship, and new beginnings.

Olivia, the main character, finds herself facing a new town, a new school, and the challenge of making her mark on a new softball team. Softball has always been Olivia's passion, and she's determined to prove herself as a skilled pitcher. But living in Greenville now means she must try out for the Blue Jays and earn her spot on the team.

As Olivia navigates the trials of tryouts and adjusts to a new school, she’s also on the lookout for lasting friendships. Will she succeed in earning her place on the team and forging new connections? The book captures the ups and downs of Olivia's journey, keeping readers engaged and rooting for her success.

"Softball Strikeout: The New Girl" is a captivating read for young readers aged 8–14 who are interested in sports, friendship, and the challenges of starting fresh. The book immerses readers in Olivia's world, providing relatable experiences and valuable life lessons along the way.

Join Olivia on her quest to conquer the softball field and discover if she can overcome the obstacles that come with being the new girl. Don't miss out on this exciting and heartwarming tale of determination and growth. A special mention also goes to Tanya Zeinalova for the excellent illustrations. Highly recommended.

[Anthony · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Review

This was an engaging and memorable novel for young readers. The fast pace of the narrative and the rich dynamics the author establishes between the protagonist and the other characters, both her parents and the young women on this softball team, all come together quite beautifully. The detail the authors put into the sport itself and the rich imagery in the author's writing style really brought this narrative to life so wonderfully.

The heart of this story rested in the incredible character development and the heartfelt themes the authors established in this book. The themes of friendship, community, hard work, and determination all could be felt in this story, and the way the authors were able to get into the mindset of this young protagonist and capture the nerves and the anxiety that goes into making new friends and fighting for a spot on a team really captured the connectivity that a book like this needs for young readers.

The Verdict

Memorable, thoughtful, and entertaining, authors Ben Jackson and Sam Lawrence’s “Softball Strikeout: The New Girl” is a fantastic book for children and young readers everywhere. The close look at team sports and the balance of competitiveness and community within team sports mirrored protagonist Olivia’s struggles and personal motivations quite well, making this one book kids will not be able to put down.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new town, a new school, a new home, and a new team.

Moving can be difficult and stressful for everyone. When you are in school and must leave your friends and school life behind can be even more stressful. A new school means making new friends, trying to fit in and for a school athlete, it means having to prove yourself to your new coach and team.

Olivia (Liv) plays softball. It is her favorite sport, and her position is pitcher. Her new school's team is the Blue Jays, one of the best teams in their division. Will she make the team? Will she make friends?

This was a short fast read which I thoroughly enjoyed. I felt for Olivia, having to move and start over. We moved during my son's school years, and I could relate to her feelings and the anxiety about making new friends and trying out for a team. I thought this was very well done. This was such a heartwarming and enjoyable book. I loved how Liv was able to use the sport she loves to make new friends and enjoyed the sense of community that her sport gave her.

This book was well written, perfectly paced, and heartwarming. It is not a long book and can easily be read in one to two sittings. This is a great book for middle school readers or for parents to read out loud to their children.

Heartwarming, well written, and filled with valuable lessons.

I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Olivia faces the future with trepidation. After living in the same town her entire life, she learns that she is moving to a new town, a new school, and worst of all, leaving the softball team that she adores.

Olivia (Liv's) dad taught her to play. Softball pitching is a major part of her life. This move forces her to leave her team, her friends, and her school behind her. Liv discovers Greenville has a excellent team. Will she good enough to make the cut? How will she fit into her new middle school? Can she find friends who will accept her in this new community?

This book is the first in a new middle-grade series. The dialogue and characters allow its audience to identify with the characters and their angst. Their fears anxieties will be familiar to readers. The plot moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged. Looks like the start of an interesting middle-grade series that also fits new chapter book readers.

I received a advanced reader copy from the publisher and voluntarily chose to read and review it with my honest opinions for no compensation.

[Carole P. Roman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that addresses common themes like moving, losing old friends, meeting new friends, acceptance, and teamwork. Liv has just moved and, while trying to find her place, joins the softball team. There, she'll meet new teammates, finds a new group of friends, and feel the pressure of not disappointing the team. The authors do a great job describing the game for someone who doesn't understand it, especially from the players' perspective. Also, a great way to talk about girls and their passion for a sport. All around stellar middle school book about girls, friends, and sports.

[Sharon the Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pitch Perfect Softball Strikeout was an enjoyable read for early readers who enjoy sports. It brought back a lot of memories of my softball playing days, and the camaraderie that belonging to a team brings.

I enjoyed the very relatable theme of moving to a new town and wondering if you’ll fit in. I feel like this story will be a big hit for the mid- elementary age group.

Everyone was nice and friendly, there was no drama, and no one treating each other poorly. Oh, if that were only how it always was.

I received an advanced reader copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

[David Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Softball Strikeout: The New Girl is a good introduction to a new series that has an emphasis on new beginnings, friendship and healthy competition through sport. It is a charming tale of overcoming fear and anxieties, making new friends and doing your best.

It is a charming story of overcoming fear and anxiety of being the new person in school, the comradery of sport and the fun that healthy competition can provide.