Painting the Game

by Patricia MacLachlan

In this final middle grade novel by Newbery Award-winning author Patricia MacLachlan, a young girl tries to untangle her love of baseball from complicated relationship with her professional pitcher father.

Lucy’s father is a minor league baseball player, a professional pitcher hoping to get called up to the majors, and Lucy inherited his passion for the game. But she’s never played pitcher. She worries her skills would be compared to her dad’s and she’d never measure up. And his pitching may mean big things for his career and their family, but it’s also what keeps him away from home so much of the year. Sometimes, Lucy isn’t sure what would be being bad at pitching or being great.

Still, this summer, Lucy wants to learn to throw the perfect knuckleball. She wakes up at the crack of dawn to practice in secret, without her friends Tex and Robin—or even the goats who watch them play. Even as she trains relentlessly, Lucy wonders if she’ll ever feel brave enough to share her progress with her mom or dad. Can she prove to them, and herself, that she has what it takes?

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Sports, Baseball, Fiction, Friendship, Childrens

160 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2025

About the author

Patricia MacLachlan was born on the prairie, and always carried a small bag of prairie dirt with her wherever she went to remind her of what she knew first. She was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb's Story; and Three Names, illustrated by Mike Wimmer. She lived in western Massachusetts.

Reviews

[Lindsey Eick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC from @SimonKids, and I absolutely loved it!! Great story and length, perfect for a child of any age. Loved Lucy and her relationships with her parents, as well as Edgar, Ruby, Tex, and Robin. It was a very heartwarming story and loved the portrayal of a girl playing sports. Thank you again for this wonderful story!! I now want to share it with everyone, especially my son!!

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The love of the game.
⚾️
Lucy’s father is a minor league pitcher who is hoping to get called up to the big show aka the majors. Lucy loves baseball too, but she’s never played pitcher because she doesn’t think she can live up to her father’s skills. This summer Lucy gets up early everyday so she can practice not only pitching, but pitching a knuckleball like her father so she can surprise him.
🏟️
This was…okay. A short and sweet MG book about a girl who idolizes her father and wants to make him proud. Both parents are great, the extended family and friends are great. There wasn’t really much conflict or issues. The writing was a bit stilted and not my preferred method to read, but I also know Patricia MacLachlan has been around for a long time so fans of her books will love this one I’m sure. It releases April 16, just in time for baseball season!

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

What heart Patricia MacLachlan infuses into her books like Just Dance, My Father’s Words and My Life Begins and now, Painting the Game! 11 year old Lucy Chance loves baseball and the dad who taught her to play the game. He’s a minor leaguer and has to be gone often, but whenever he’s home, he braids Lucy’s hair to keep his fingers nimble and to be close to his good luck charm. So, it’s only natural when Lucy begins to pitch, however, she keeps it a secret from everyone for a while and as she feels ready, reveals it to best friends Tex and Robin and then her parents and her dad’s favorite catcher Edgar. It seems like they all have a few secrets held close to the heart and shared only when ready. Readers will love knowing almost all of those secrets and watching as they are revealed.

Despite being separated while dad Luther plays ball, he, his wife and daughter show their love for one another and never doubt that love when they are apart. Some readers may have a twinge of sadness over the obvious warmth and physical signs of affection between the three of them but for others, this may be a hope for their own future families or, for other readers, an affirmation that families like this are possible. Lucy, Tex and Robin model strong friendship as do Lucy’s dad Luther and his catching partner Edgar. Love of baseball weaves throughout the story as does painting and drawing and the way things you didn’t know you knew can be revealed in art.

Loved this realistic fiction and would make it a first choice purchase for libraries serving those in grades 2-5. 134 pages, large font and wide space between lines make this a great choice for a wide range of reading levels and the subject of baseball, especially a successful girl playing the game, fills a much too empty niche on most library shelves.

Thanks for the print arc, Simon & Schuster/Margaret McElderry publishing.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Patricia MacLachlan was a favorite author when my daughter was young. She is the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall, winner of the Newbery Medal. When I happened to see this attractive cover as I passed the Children's section of the library, and remembered Patricia MacLachian, I was moved to pick up her latest story and experience her thoughtful writing again.

Books written for Middle Schoolers must be hard to write, I think. There always seems to be a moral lesson to the story. But the best writers don't make it obvious. In Painting the Game, the joy of playing baseball includes leaning about the knuckleball, one of the hardest pitches for a batter to hit, I learned. MacLachlan whispers the moral of the story that provoke reflection and a thoughtful ending.

I don't think I've ever read the sequels to Sarah, Plain and Tall; Skylark and Caleb's Story but I will.

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Spring and baseball is back. Baseball fan or not, this last title from Patricia MacLachlan is perfection. Here are five reasons I loved this book:
⚾Lucy Chance (11) is fearless. When she has her hair in those lucky braids, batters better be ready.
⚾Ruby the dog will play catch with you. She will toss the ball back after catching it.
⚾Mom Meg is a painter. She faithfully works on her craft as Lucy practices her pitching. They are both 'painting the game.'
⚾Dad Luther and his catcher Edgar are a captivating baseball duo.
⚾The famous Fenway Park and Green Monster.
The Chance family will steal your heart. Can Luther and Edgar make it to the big show? Will Lucy ever throw a perfect knuckleball? The heartwarming homerun finish to this new release might bring tears to your eyes.

Thank you to Margaret K. McElderry Books and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Patricia MacLachlan’s writing. It’s warm. It’s deceptively simple. And you leave her books feeling better than when you started.

That’s certainly true for Painting the Game. I’m not a fan of baseball. I don’t really care for it at all. But through Lucy’s eyes, I could understand the love and passion associated with it. And oh, what a wonderful character Lucy is. Her love for her family is undeniable, and her persistence rings true.

Painting the Game is a story about relationships, and it’s lovely to see strong grownup relationships — through marriage, and with friends and children — modeled. Those relationships, plus those with Lucy’s friends, make the book seem bigger than it first appears.

At just 144 pages, Painting the Game is an accessible read, and it offers broad appeal. It would make a great classroom read or a nice contemplative one at home.

[Cici Meng]

1. The name of the book I read is the planting game.The character's name is Greta.
This book tells the story of how Greta and her family faced family difficulties together through
a tree planting game.

2.She will change and she will become brave.She learned how to face problems and difficulties.

3.Yes, I think it is meaningful to work together.They help each other and achieve their goals together.This resonates with me.

4.I think the ending might be about Lucy bravely facing her fear, overcoming her own fear, and growing. The line "It's the scariest place I've ever been" could explain Lucy's fear, while the line "Sometimes courage is quiet" could also explain Lucy's courage in the end.

5.The use of visual and auditory imagery can better help readers understand what the protagonist is experiencing, giving them a sense of immersion.

[Stephanie P (Because My Mother Read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book for review.

The Sarah Plain and Tall series is a childhood favorite of mine so it was with much nostalgia that I picked up this last published book by the now deceased Patricia MacLachlan.

I was so happy to see it was about a girl in sports as athletics were a huge part of my own growing up years. The main characters father is a pitcher for a minor league team hoping to move up to major league. She has to navigate family dynamics and decide what she wants to pursue.

It is a very short and quick read, but much like the author’s other books it has quiet and simple profound truths. It would make a great read aloud choice.

The writing is a bit stilted but it didn’t bother me too much.

[Chrissy Casey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy Chance is a young girl, whose father is a minor league pitcher working for the big league. Lucy and her 2 close friends love practicing and playing baseball together. Lucy decides to surprise her father/family by learning to pitch. Then she decides to surprise them by pitching a knuckleball. Her father is called up to pitch in the big league and Lucy get to throw out the first pitch. She surprises everyone with her knuckleball.

What a sweet book for Patricia MacLachlan's last story. Family, hard work, perserverance and baseball-what more could you want. This is just a feels good book, just in time for baseball season!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a baseball mom who has sons that pitch for their baseball team, this book resonates with me.

An 11-year-old Lucy Chance loves her father dearly, but he is often away pitching at Minor League games. Lucy harbors a secret which she hopes will help her connection with her dad grow stronger.

This simple middle-grade book deals with the theme of father-daughter relationships--something that is often overlooked or not talked about. I love that it also talks about baseball and some of the technicalities that go with it so the book can also be appreciated by boys.

Love the wholesomeness of the topic and how Lucy finds her courage.

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this as an ARC. I have mixed feelings about this book. I found the story line beautiful and the love and friendship refreshing with so much hate in the world today. Unfortunately, I found this story slow at times and the references to "goat games" very confusing and not explained-either take the goats away completely (they did not add anything to the story) or explain where they came from and their purpose. Not a top contender for recommending to others, yet a somewhat refreshing read when needed.

[Vicky Vaughn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually 4.4! I love baseball, Lucy and a good knuckleball! What a positive family human story! "The knuckleball pitcher grips the baseball in his knuckles and throws a baseball that has very little spin in the air, but whirls and dips in a pitch that confuses the batter. It is one of the hardest pitches for a batter to hit." Play Ball! Wonderful story of family, determination, and love. Every character in this book has their own story. It's a joy to read!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

In her final middle grade novel, the author gives us a heartwarming story of family, baseball, and friends. Lucy’s dad is a pitcher, and Lucy has decided she wants to learn how to throw a knuckleball. Her dad tells her let the ball fly so it floats, dips, and circles. Lucy’s friends help her practice the knuckleball, and when she is asked if she wants to throw the first pitch out at a special game Lucy wonders can she throw a knuckleball and impress and surprise her dad.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter read this book and told me that I had to read it. She loved it! Our family loves painting, baseball, and goats and this book has all three! This book was wonderful from the first paragraph to the end! All of the main characters just felt like one big family. The goats and Ruby, the dog, added extra entertainment to the story. There are so many wonderful things loaded into this short book. Best young readers book that I have read in a while. I highly recommend this book!

[Faith Elizabeth Hough · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book in many ways: I loved the friendships, the baseball, the old-fashioned feel, and I really really loved the parents' good, affectionate relationship. Unfortunately, I felt that it was often overdramatic, and I couldn't understand why. A big deal was made about keeping secrets that were casually revealed a page or two later. And why would a young girl cry at the idea of throwing a knuckleball, unless there's some trauma involved? (There isn't.)
Three and a half stars.

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our first book of the year with Brave Writer Dart program and I just finished pre-reading it. My kids are 8 and 5, and I know they will love this story. They will laugh at the goats, feel inspired by the main character’s pursuit of her goal, and I myself got teary-eyed at the heartwarming ending. This book is cozy, positive, and endearing. Positive depictions of family, friendship, and father-daughter relationship. Overall, I loved it for my kids.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing style of this book is artistic and beautiful. The story is simple and lacks any real conflict, but it is still a hopeful and inspiring story about family and hard work. The baseball is well-integrated into the book - I learned something from reading it. I imagine a baseball fan will like it even more because of the love the author paints for the sport.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lucy's dad is a minor league pitcher, her mom a painter, both working diligently at their craft. Though small, Lucy's school has a baseball team. After a brief visit from Dad and his catcher, Lucy starts practicing pitches. She's so good that she even works on a knuckle-ball, her dad's specialty.
MacLachlan brings it all together in her spare, yet poignant style.

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such potential, but with writing so sparse I wondered if it was a novel in verse at some points. I just don't think it did what so many Patricia MacLachlan books do and truly "painted" the scenes.

Still, I know of kids I can hand this book to who might enjoy it. But it is not going to be a book club contender for me.

[Pat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Say it isn’t so that this is the last of the beautiful words from Patricia McLaughlin! I loved this story, particularly because of the Fenway Park connection, but mainly because of Patricia McLaughlins gentleness and the beauty of her writing.

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars
Lucy is the daughter of a pitcher and an artist. She has secrets. She is practicing to be a pitcher. she is practicing the knuckleball. And she is learning to paint the game. MacLachlan captures all the nuances of being eleven and striving for something bigger than oneself.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lucy’s dad is a pitcher in the minor leagues, hoping for the call to move up to the “big show.” His secret weapon is his knuckleball. Lucy loves playing baseball with her friends but is anxious about trying pitching. This is a sweet paean to summer, friendship, and baseball.

[Corian Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is great for baseball fans! It was sweet and lighthearted without being boring. I really liked the pacing and all of the relationships between the characters. I worry that kids wouldn’t enjoy the subtlety but I really liked it!

[Rob McGrory · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF...I realize this is a Newbery winning author and I respect that, however I felt like I was reading something written by a 12 year old. The dialogue is choppy and the plot comes off as non-existent.

[Carolina Crockett · Rating 3 out of 5]

First in the Brave Writer Dart 25-26 booklist for 8-10yr olds. It was a sweet and short story. Simple story arc and conflict easy to discern for a rising reader. MacLachlan already has great merit for well and wholesome written children’s literature.

[Rhiannon Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was Patricia MacLachlan's last book. It sat on my desk for a long time, because once I had read it, there would never be another book by her I hadn't read, which is, well... A lovely story about the importance of chasing dreams, working hard, believing in yourself, and of course, family.

[Lara]

Nice little quiet story about baseball and family. Fun summer read. Had seen it at a bookstore but got it from the library as I figured I probably would only read it once

[Engel Dreizehn · Rating 4 out of 5]

ARC Copy...Reads and pitches like a baseball game in tempo and feels like a picture of baseball is being painted with words.

[Laura Slabach · Rating 5 out of 5]

So sad there won't be more of these. Such a fantastic author.

[LS Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

this author writes great "gentle" books and so many feature awesome father figures. this one is not different. i loved it.