Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper:

by Brie Spangler

A heartwarming graphic novel about a baseball-obsessed 7th grader, trying to find her place in the sports world and her family.

In their tiny corner of Fox Point, Rhode Island, Gemma Hopper’s older brother, Teddy, is a baseball god, destined to become a Major League star. Gemma loves playing baseball, but with her mom gone and her dad working endless overtime, it’s up to her to keep the house running. She’s too busy folding laundry, making lunches, getting her younger twin brothers to do their homework, and navigating the perils of middle-school friendships to take baseball seriously. 

But every afternoon, Gemma picks up her baseball glove to pitch to Teddy during his batting practice--throwing sliders down and away, fastballs right over the middle (not too fast or he’ll get mad), and hanging curveballs high and tight. 

Could baseball be Gemma’s ticket to the big leagues or will it mean the end of her family as she knows it?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Sports, Middle Grade, Comics, Family, Realistic Fiction, Baseball

Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2023

About the author

Author/illustrator of children's picture books and YA novels, Brie Spangler loves to draw and write stories and drink massive amounts of caffeine, but not quite Dave Grohl "Fresh Pot!"/require hospitalization levels. Writing down the ideas in her head was scary as a kid, so she turned to making pictures instead. Brie worked as an illustrator for several years before she began to write and immediately became a frothing addict. BEAST is her debut novel. Hit her up on twitter! @BrieSpangler

Reviews

[laurel [the suspected bibliophile] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrapping with complex family dynamics and middle school, Gemma Hopper is a six-foot tall giant of a 13-year old, who is struggling to keep her family together with younger twin siblings who are glued to video games, a dad working two shifts and when home, focused on his eldest child, the soon-to-be legendary baseball player Teddy, a 14-year old phenom.

But there's a secret: as great as Teddy is, Gemma is good too. But she's never played baseball, not really. All she's ever done is hone a series of wicked pitches to train her older brother.

Anywho, I enjoyed this. There's the pain of living with a small-town famous older brother destined to do Great Things (and the pressure that he is under all the time to do said Great Things), while struggling to keep a family together and doing the invisible "women's work" that goes overlooked by everyone in the family after their mom left them.

And there's also the growing pains of a long-term friendship, which featured heavily as well.

And there's lots of baseball, and of falling in and out of love with a sport.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahh I wanted to love this one more than I did. There was one particular element that I did not enjoy about this one. CW: parental abandonment

Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper is a middle grade graphic novel that focuses on main character Gemma who is responsible for taking care of her family after her mother abandons them. While her father is present, he's taken on multiple jobs to help support the family leading to periods of absence. Gemma is also a huge fan of baseball like her father and brother; however, due to the overload of responsibilities, she only gets to play when she pitches for her brother who is on his way to Florida to play with a traveling team. When Gemma pitches "too good" during a session with her brother, she draws the attention of some people that may lead to a bigger opportunity.

What Worked: Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of baseball, but it worked well in this storyline. It was definitely a catalyst for a bigger discussion about imposed gender roles. I also enjoyed that this focused on typical issues that are faced by middle grade readers. Gemma is extremely tall at 13 (she's 6ft!) and stands out in ways that often make her feel uncomfortable. When her close friend becomes friends with the popular girls, Gemma feels left out and tries really hard to fit in. This was something I experienced at this age and I think a lot of younger readers will also appreciate the way the author handled the dynamics of their relationship. Additionally, Spangler did a great job with the relationship dynamics between Gemma and her brother. It was interesting to notice how baseball was the activity that brought them together, but eventually became the catalyst for their fallout. Naturally, they're both suffering from the loss of their mother, but it takes a few conversations for them the other's experience and feelings.

What Didn't Work: There was one particular element that I didn't enjoy which lowkey ruined my experience with this one and it was closely related to a teacher. I won't go into it too much because of spoilers; however, I was disappointed with the family tree assignment especially with the awareness that the educator had in regard to Gemma's family. If you knew that her mother aband0ned her why oh why would you make her complete that assignment? It's so clear that Gemma hasn't even dealt with the trauma of the abandonment and actually refuses to accept that her mother has left. The family tree thing just seemed to make it worse. On top of that, I didn't like that this assignment was then used as a way for Gemma to make this "grand stand" of a speech at the end of the graphic novel. It could have been left out. There was enough going on that would have made this graphic novel stand on its own without that specific element.

Overall, this was a solid read. I wish that we didn't get that moment with the teacher, but I enjoyed everything else. The artwork was solid and colored monochromatically. I'll be interested in picking up other things from this author.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gemma Hopper's self assessment: "I'm six feet tall, I'm thirteen years old, and no, I don't play basketball." And despite what you might think from the cover, she doesn't play baseball either. But she does help her superstar brother practice his batting by pitching to him every minute he can wrangle out of her. Gemma's more concerned about middle school stuff, like sitting at the popular kids' table and not losing her best friend to those same popular kids. But unfortunately, everything else takes a back seat to being family housekeeper, cook, and nanny to her younger twin brothers in the absence of her runaway mother and perpetually working father.

The baseball angle gives a nice boost to an otherwise ordinary bit of middle school angst, but the family tree class report that frames the story is dull and heavy-handed and forces a dumb big speech finale that feels out of place and unnecessary.

Still, I enjoyed the art and characters and look forward to what the author might do in the future.

[Lindsay (pawsomereads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great story. I’m a huge baseball fan and always have been, so this was right up my alley. I read this on the same day that the first woman in history played in an NCAA D1 baseball game. I have high hopes that women keep pushing through boundaries in this sport.
Baseball was a big focus in this book, but it also centered around family. I really liked seeing Gemma and her brother grow closer together and understand each other more. It was hard to see how much pressure had been placed on the kids in each of their respective roles but it was nice to have a happy ending.
I enjoyed this one a lot!

[Gary Anderson]

Brie Spangler’s Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper is a midde-grade, girls-can-play-baseball-too graphic novel. The plot revolves around Gemma’s relationship with her brother Teddy, a strong baseball player expected to continue his hitting prowess in college and beyond. But hitters need someone to throw to them, and Gemma tosses hundreds of baseballs to Teddy each week, resulting in her own arsenal of power pitches. Will Gemma be invited to try out for the same elite-level teams that are in her brother’s sights?

Wrapped around the baseball storyline are conflicts involving friends, parents, and a teacher. While the baseball details are satisfying in their descriptions involving specific pitches and the complexities surrounding travel teams, the other relationships are ones we’ve seen before: who gets to sit at the popular table in the lunchroom, absent parents, and taking academic shortcuts due to peer pressure. (This book offers a reminder why assigning a family tree project is a really bad idea.) By the end, the relationships devolve into melodrama, and Gemma’s rhetoric soars into rhetoric about the American Dream that comes out of nowhere.

Spangler’s drawings effectively convey emotions and the physical aspects of pitching, hitting, and catching, although the coloration struck me as strange in that the entire book is teal and black, except for a special effect sequence near the end that adds an additional color. The author’s enthusiastic full-color note at the end comes across as more sincere than the two-tone approach that dominates Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper.

Young readers are likely to pick up Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper because they want a sports-themed book, and this is a serviceable sports story. In order for it to be memorable, this graphic novel would need to have more ways that readers can see themselves in it.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

What is it they say about Ginger Rogers doing everything Fred Asaire did, but backwards and in heels? This applies to Gemma Hopper. She, in helping her brother’s batting practice, she has gotten better and better at throwing the ball, including all the ways the ball can be thrown.

Tommy, her brother is so good, he is going to go down to Florida to train, and get ready to go into the minor leagues. But one day, someone videos her pitching, and how quick she is, and she gets to be a minor celebrity on her own.

What is interesting about this novel is that Gemma is totally unaware of how good she is. And she has all the insecurities of one that is overworked, and unappreciated by her dad.

I like that this book opens the door for a possible sequel. The characters were very realistic.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book comes out April 22, 2023.

[Dakota Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The YA target market will probably enjoy the high drama in Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper, but there's not a lot of subtlety here. Life is rough for Gemma: her mom's gone, her dad's overworked, her twin brothers are demons, and her older brother is a distracted baseball prodigy. Aside from that, Gemma's also too tall for her age, has few friends, and is struggling with a school project.

Whew! Gemma Hopper does a good job of wrangling these many issues, particularly in showing how other characters also have issues, so Gemma's not the only one who is struggling. This is a welcome read in that it shows young readers how to look through other's eyes. The ending is pretty pat, though, and the pacing is head over heels. Not perfect, but recommended to younger readers for sure.

[Meg Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma is the only girl left in a house full of boys after her mom leaves the family. She is exhausted, overburdened, and has no friends to turn to. Her dad works long hours leaving notes on what she should cook for dinner or what chores she should do. On top of it all, she feels overshadowed by her slightly older brother, who is a baseball star getting ready to go away with a traveling team.

Gemma's story tugged at my heart strings so much, especially as a mama. She was desperate for her mom to come back and kept the hope up after a year. She was being crushed by all the adult expectations heaped on her but she still does her best to care for everyone in the family, over her own needs. I really loved the focus on Gemma and her older brother's relationships. Stories about siblings always get me, and the relationship between them is so sweet. I'm guessing my 6 year old didn't understand all the deeper themes in this book, but he still really enjoyed the story of Gemma finding her own way, and he said he loved it

[Milton Public Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm learning to enjoy graphic novels more and more. I especially liked that this one had sporty-girl-power vibes, but when I put it up against some other similar reads (like Hoops or Play Like a Girl), it just fell a little short of the mark for me.

Find it in our SHARE Catalog today!

Jayme A. / Milton Public Library #CheckOutMPL

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun story about baseball siblings that packed a lot of emotion. The family situation, the relationship between the brother and sister, the cracks in friendships, the struggles with school, the parental neglect and pressure, it was all deftly shown and handled. Really well done.

[S.Q. Eries · Rating 2 out of 5]

In Summary
Fox Point’s Own Gemma Hopper looks like it’s a sports story, but it’s not really. It’s more about the family drudge finally having her day in the sun, where her chief rival is her good-looking, popular, golden-child brother. While I’m all for family drama, this baseball-themed sibling rivalry stacks way too much against Gemma, and I get tired of her sour face real fast.

Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
13-year-old Gemma Hopper has it rough. She has to take care of her family in her mother’s absence while her older brother Teddy, a 14-year-old baseball talent, has been chosen to play with a prestigious travel team. Gemma likes baseball, too, but will she ever get her chance to shine?

I generally don’t have a problem with characters who have challenging circumstances. However, Spangler dumps so much onto her main character that watching Gemma go through her daily life is unpleasant. Her mother’s been AWOL for a year, and Gemma’s expected to do all the housework and parent her younger twin brothers, who don’t lift a finger to help. Her blue-collar dad is always working, and on the rare occasion he’s home, he only has eyes for his golden baseball child, Gemma’s older brother Teddy. Teddy also happens to be good-looking and the most popular boy at Fox Point Middle School. Meanwhile, Gemma has plain looks and gets mocked for her six-foot height. She only has one friend, and that friend is not beneath trying to use her to get in with the popular crowd.

In short, her home life sucks, her social life sucks, and even though she’s working like crazy, no one appreciates all the things she does. There’s a lot of pent-up anger and frustration in Gemma, and it gets laid on so thick, it’s hard to believe she has any bandwidth to humor Teddy’s demands for batting practice.

Ultimately, this is a story about family. While the Hopper family is obsessed with baseball to the point of naming their children after professional baseball players, this is not really a sports story. For all the hype about Teddy’s talents, we never see him in an actual game. He was part of the local Little League and has been chosen for a prestigious travel team, but we only ever see him and Gemma playing baseball. And when he shows off to his adoring crowds, he is hitting “homers” to pitches that he calls.

However, the Hopper family dynamics are really whacked. It’s never explained why the mother leaves. There’s a vague sense of shame about it, but no one resents her for it, nor is the father blamed for it. The dad is pretty much an absentee parent, and even though grandparents are around, they’re not helping. A charitable Mrs. Curran is helping out with childcare, but the grandparents don’t even respond to emails. And the only one doing household chores is Gemma, who feels obligated to hold everything together and do it with a smile.

Certainly, there are thankless families out there, but Gemma handles it more like an adult working mom than a 13-year-old dealt a bad situation. For instance, her younger brothers only ever play video games, and she never asks them to help out. And when she yells at one of them for making a mess, Teddy yells at her. But instead of yelling back at all of her brothers for making her life difficult, she feels so guilty that she runs out of the house. She’s not getting much love or appreciation, so I don’t see why she’s going out of her way to spoil her younger brothers (elementary school kids are capable of doing chores too!) or spend her very little spare time helping Teddy with his practice.

With family adults mostly out of the picture, Gemma’s interactions are primarily with Teddy, and those feel less like sibling interactions and more like a post-honeymoon phase married couple struggling to get by and get along. The narrative does a decent job of showing the pressure Teddy carries. Both siblings seem to understand that the family’s financial health depends on his future athletic career, which is why he is excused from household responsibilities. However, Teddy relying on Gemma as his personal pitcher just seems odd. Baseball is a team sport with A LOT of players, and Teddy, who participated in the local Little League, should have other peers to practice with. But no, his overworked younger sister is his only choice?

Also, a big deal is made about how the entire family is baseball obsessed and how Gemma learned to pitch from her grandfather. But if that was the case, why was Teddy the only child to do Little League? Why weren’t both of them in sports? The mom has only been gone a year, so Gemma should’ve had the same opportunity. The Gemma-does-all-chores could be a sign that they have a family culture where boys play sports while girls do housework, but that runs contrary to the grandfather teaching her how to pitch.

Eventually, Gemma gets recognized as an athlete in her own right, and she realizes that her mother will never return. This brings closure to Gemma’s story, but I didn’t find it that satisfying. There’s a supposedly tender parting scene between Gemma and her dad, but it gave me a bitter taste because she only receives his affirmation and recognition AFTER she is recognized as an athlete, not before. It is also only then that the father makes arrangements to take care of the household and the younger children (so that Gemma can go to Florida for baseball training), even though he could have done it sooner and lessened the burden on his daughter.

The book is printed on glossy stock, so it’s pretty heavy. The title page and author afterward are printed in color. The bulk of the graphic novel is black and white with a bluish-gray shading, and just a few pages have drawings printed in a reddish-brown.

For more manga and book reviews, drop by my blog Keeping It In Canon!

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by the publisher

Gemma, her older brother Teddy, and her younger twin brothers live with their father in Rhode Island. Teddy is a fantastic baseball player, and is looking to attend the prestigious All Atlantic training school in Florida if all goes well. Things are a bit rough at home, since their mother has left. Gemma is left to pick up a lot of the slack, going to the laundromat to wash clothes, cooking dinner, and looking after her brothers after school. She even helps Teddy train, pitching to him so he can practice hitting. Their father works double shifts, so is rarely home. Gemma has a good friend, Bailey, but they have some difficulties when Bailey wants to get into the popular crowd, which thinks will happen if Gemma introduces Zoe to her brother. Gemma is reluctant to do that, since she doesn't see the point and doesn't care about the popular crowd. It doesn't help that she has a major project for Ms. Riggs that involves family geneaology. Since her mother isn't in touch with the family at all, she can't ask her questions, and her father isn't home much. Bailey has an idea that Gemma can just make things up, since Ms. Riggs won't know the difference. Teddy feels a lot of pressure to go to All Atlantic, and feels like he is carrying most of the burden at home, which puts him and Gemma at odds. When he has Gemma pitch to him in front of coaches, she strikes him out with her unerring pitches, and a video of this goes viral, further alienating the two. Eventually, the two realize that they need to work together, and Teddy gets Gemma the opportunity to try out for scouts from All Atlantic. She gets in to the school on the promise of her fast ball, even though she doesn't know much else about the game. Are things now looking up for the family, even though Gemma realizes that her mother will never return?
Strengths: There are so many family problems, and so many ways that young people can have their worlds unsettled. Teddy and Gemma, who are about 14 and 12, are doing the best they can to keep their household together, even though Teddy claims that "the whole family eats like racoons in a dumpster". Taking care of the twins is a concern, but there is a helpful neighbor. While their father is often absent, Teddy and Gemma generally get along... until they don't. Gemma's problems with Bailey are completely realistic, and neither really understands what the other is going through. Ms. Riggs is a sympathetic teacher, although geneaology projects are now such a landmine that we haven't had any assigned at my school for at least five years. There's plenty of baseball, and the drawings, mainly rendered in shades of teal, is attractive.
Weaknesses: Since this is a graphic novel, there is a lot of background information that is lacking. What exactly is All American? How did Teddy get picked for it? What happened with Gemma's mother? THere is a very dramatic scene where Gemma comes to terms with her mother's absence, but we still don't get a lot of explanation due ot the format.
What I really think: This is a good graphic novel to add to a small but growing selection of sports titles, including Dawson's The Fifth Quarter, Wilson's Play Like a Girl, and Tavares' Hoops.

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set against the contemporary backdrop of Fox Point, Rhode Island, Brie Spangler's graphic novel "Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper" introduces readers to the world of Gemma, a baseball-loving 7th grader navigating the complexities of family dynamics, middle-school friendships, and personal aspirations. The story, rich in themes of family, friendship, and the pursuit of dreams, aims to resonate with a middle-grade audience through its portrayal of Gemma's struggles and triumphs.

One of the central issues I had with the book is its approach to the handling of sensitive topics, such as the absence of Gemma's mother and the implied psychological toll on the family. It's vaguely addressed throughout the book but lacks the depth and resolution that could offer meaningful engagement or comfort to readers facing similar situations.

The narrative also navigates complex themes of gender roles and responsibilities within the family, presenting a critique of traditional patriarchal expectations. Gemma, burdened with household duties and the care of her siblings, embodies a resilience that is both commendable and concerning. The story's critique, however, feels unresolved; the acknowledgment of Gemma's struggles by her family does not extend to a meaningful resolution or growth, leaving a sense of dissatisfaction.

The book's handling of age-appropriate content walks a delicate line, presenting realistic conversations and scenarios that some parents might find too mature for middle graders. These moments, intended to reflect the realities of adolescence, may spark discussions on the suitability of certain themes for its intended audience.

While the book showcases moments of warmth, humor, and relatability, it is ultimately hindered by its lack of diverse representation, unresolved critiques of gender roles, and insufficient engagement with themes of mental health. These shortcomings prevent the story from fully achieving its potential as a source of inspiration and reflection for young readers. Despite its ambitions, the narrative's execution leaves readers yearning for a story that not only entertains but also thoughtfully addresses the complexities of growing up and the importance of mental well-being.

[mad mags · Rating 4 out of 5]

(Full disclosure: I received a free e-ARC for review through NetGalley.)

Thirteen-year-old Gemma Hopper is having a rough year. After her mom abandoned the family without an explanation, she became the de facto "mother" of the house: cooking, cleaning, caring for her younger twin brothers - and throwing pitches for her older brother Teddy.

Gemma is, in the author's words, "the wrong key for every lock in her life: too tall, too awkward, too weird-looking." It doesn't help that her older brother is THE Teddy Hopper, a star hitter and minor local celebrity: just one of twenty-six boys on the Eastern Seaboard invited to join the All-Atlantic Team. If you'd think that some of Teddy's popularity would rub off on Gemma, you'd be wrong. Gemma feels like she's forever being compared to her older brother - and always coming up short.

Until the day Gemma finally channels her anger, and she strikes the golden boy out during practice. A video of her wicked arm goes viral and, before she knows it, Gemma's got a real shot at getting out of Fox Point too. But healing fractured relationships - with her brother Teddy, best friend Bailey, and her dad - might prove the greatest challenge of all.

FOX POINT'S OWN GEMMA HOPPER is a bittersweet story about a tween - and a family - who's barely holding it together. While we experience the story through Gemma's eyes - and feel plenty of righteous indignation on her behalf - it quickly becomes clear that Teddy's life isn't all cupcakes and puppy dogs either. It's not easy coming from a baseball family, being named after Ted Williams, and seeing one's hobby turned into the family's meal ticket. Teddy's going through SOME STUFF too, and I love the way the siblings band together by story's end. Dad's a little more difficult to forgive, in the way he fails to recognize and nurture the talent in his one daughter, the way he does his son's. But at least he comes around in the end.

You don't have have to love baseball to enjoy FOX POINT'S OWN GEMMA HOPPER (though it certainly doesn't hurt). There's plenty of teenage awkwardness and family conflict so that everyone can find something to relate to.

[Sesana · Rating 3 out of 5]

There's some good and relatable elements here. Gemma's fraught family situation is going to be sadly familiar to a lot of young readers: her mother abandoned the family and her father is working two jobs to try to keep them afloat. The mother is 100% absent, and it seems even the maternal grandparents have all but cut them off. The kids seem to go days at a time without ever seeing their father, because of his work schedule. A lot of girls are going to be able to relate to how much is put on Gemma's plate, as oldest daughter. She cooks, she cleans, she does laundry, and she cares for her younger siblings. Her older brother isn't expected to do as much, because he plays baseball. And because adults are totally absent from their lives, Gemma and her brother need to work this out themselves. And they do all of that through baseball, which lets them connect and work out frustrations and become even closer. It's frustrating that neither of their parents are present enough in their lives to give them any guidance, but that's reality for a lot of kids.

On the other hand, Gemma's English teacher deserved to be yelled at for the family tree project she assigns the class. This kind of thing is always fraught when you don't know your students' families, but the thing is, this is a small town and the teacher does know Gemma's family. She knows that her mother ran out on her. She knows that family is going to be a sore spot for her, and she knows that a good chunk of her family history is going to be totally inaccessible for her. It's extremely callous, bordering on cruel, to continue with this assignment anyways. That she does no reflection when Gemma does the obvious and emotionally sound thing by making stuff up just makes her another adult to fail Gemma horribly. Which I'm mostly going out of the way to talk about because I get the sense that Spangler just doesn't see it that way.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seventh grader Gemma Hopper is keenly aware that she's different from her classmates. She's tall and lanky and doesn't really fit in. Plus, after her mother left home, supposedly temporarily, she's been responsible for taking care of her young twin brothers. Burdened by two jobs and his own feelings, her father is emotionally and physically absent, and Gemma's older brother Teddy receives any attention or time he has left to give. He hopes that Teddy will have a promising career in Major League Baseball. As things shake out, Teddy is quite talented with his bat, but Gemma is also a whiz at baseball, being a skilled and powerful pitcher who helps Teddy during batting practice. When Gemma's best--and only--friend asks her to persuade Teddy to spend time with Zoe, the class beauty and all-around popular girl, Gemma is initially reluctant because she doesn't like feeling used. But Zoe's blessing just might be the key to popularity and acceptance. There are further complications concerning a family tree project and Teddy's embarrassment about being struck out by Gemma when others are watching. Although the story's conclusion seems a bit unlikely as does the almost overnight change in Gemma's father, readers will clearly see how the parents' decisions have affected their offspring and how baseball just might save Teddy and Gemma. The storyline and the illustrations accurately depict middle grade drama and the need to fit in and feel valued as well as the ache of going unnoticed by one's parents. Although baseball fans will appreciate the plot and the scenes of Gemma's pitching and Teddy's batting as well as Gemma's anger and resentment seething below the surface and sometimes exploding, there is much more to this appealing and relatable story than baseball. Life has clearly thrown several bad pitches, not just curve balls, at Gemma.

[Stephanie Tournas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma is having a bad year. Her mom has left, her dad is always working, and she is left to tend the house and care for her little twin brothers. As if that weren’t enough, her older brother Teddy is constantly asking her to pitch to him at the field because he’s about to join the All-Atlantic team in the under-16 division. And school isn’t much better – she’s at a loss for the dreaded family research project, and she feels like she’s in social purgatory – no one sees her (despite the fact that she’s 6′ tall) except for her old friend Bailey, but Bailey seems to be getting tight with the uber-popular Zoe. It seems like a lot for one story, but Spangler makes it all work, interspersing Gemma’s difficulties with occasional flights of baseball joy, when she absolutely sizzles on the mound.

Tensions come to a head with Teddy half way through – he’s incredibly stressed about the team, feeling like the whole family is depending on him. Gemma is equally stressed about her role in the household, and her lack of time to play baseball for pleasure, as opposed to just as an adjunct to her superstar brother. The siblings have it out, and Teddy’s idea for them to play together makes all the difference.

I love Spangler’s two-color art – she’s great at depicting mood in facial expressions and the curve of the spine. There are some wonderful scenes on the baseball mound, when Gemma is psyching herself up for pitches and taming her inner critic. She is a completely relatable protagonist, and readers can’t help but empathize with all of the stresses on the seventh grader.

[Matt Glaviano · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read an ARC that wasn't full color. I assume the final product will be. Future readers, please reassure me.

If you're me, you know Brie Spangler primarily as the author of Pegleg Peke, a picture book about a pirate dog with an injured leg. And as long as you're trying so hard to be me, you should know that this is a great synaptic connection to make, that it brings up many late night reads with snuggly young children. And furthermore, you were very happy to see Spangler's name again and explore what they're up to these days.

Gemma Harper's mom is gone. Her dad is always working, and Gemma's picking up the slack by keeping her family afloat. This means meeting all the needs of her younger siblings and playing pitcher to her future MLB All Star brother. Everything changes when Gemma's fast ball goes viral. Will Gemma take her chance to hit a home run with her future?

I really liked this book. I thought the story was compelling and well told. The art was effective (Gemma's height made it a little weird sometimes). Gemma was a dynamic character and I really enjoyed watching how her experiences allowed her to grow. Spangler's honesty regarding Gemma's domestic situations - with her parents, siblings, and school pressures - made the story feel lived in.

Really glad to have checked this out.

(Eds. note: Pegleg Peke, though epoch defining, is apparently out of print. Which is a shame, because you should read it. I hope Peke is well and adventuring still.)

[BethFishReads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heartfelt graphic novel about a young teen getting a chance to put herself first despite the odds.

This graphic novel introduces us to 13-year-old Gemma Hopper, who has a lot to cope with: her mother walked out on the family, leaving Gemma with the bulk of the household responsibilities. Her father works two jobs, her younger twin brothers need to be cared for, and her older brother, Teddy, is on a fast track to be a Major League Baseball star.

Gemma herself dreams of being a professional baseball pitcher, but knows that her family needs her. Meanwhile, her best friend is starting to hang with the more popular kids, and even Teddy is begin to pull away. But when Gemma agrees to pitch to Teddy in front of a baseball scout, her future changes.

The characters' emotions and reactions and Gemma's situation and actions seem very authentic and not forced. Even if Gemma's circumstances aren't yours, she is very easy to relate to. The story has all the feels, so don't be surprised to find yourself welling up.

Note too that though the book is geared to middle grade readers, it has broad appeal. In addition, you do not need to be a sports fan to fall for Gemma and to root for her happiness.

I wasn't a huge fan of the general turquoise green color scheme, but the drawings themselves were expressive and clear. Readers will have no problem understanding the characters' moods and reactions and the overall action.

Thanks to the publisher for the review copy.

[Aud · Rating 5 out of 5]

While the art in this book is not my own personal favorite style, it does fit with the themes. Whoa, boy, those themes. They will resonate with so many kids living difficult lives right now. Parental abandonment. Parentification. Body issues. Girls being put on the backburner so's to support their elder siblings' ambitions and "for the good of the family." Fitting in at school. Friendship challenges. Family changes in general. And, of course, sports. Girls in sports. Girls being just as good at sports as their brothers, if only people would bother to look.

Gemma was an extremely relatable character. She's flawed, but trying, and she's been put in very trying circumstances. She and her best friend are doing their best. So's her older brother, who's character becomes clearer throughout the book. That's one thing about this story that I loved - the character growth that feels real and earned by the end. The storytelling in general is exceptional.

I will not spoil this for you, but I will say that the book ends on a realistically hopeful note, and I was very satisfied with it.

I don't honestly remember if the book was entirely in black and white, or if the colors were just very pale? But the story itself is stark, so it fit. Some kids need color in their graphic novels or they won't read them, but plenty of others will be able to see past that. They will be in for an excellent story.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a surprising read about a young girl figuring out how to put herself first during some really challenging times. It's a great read for middle schoolers and others, because it touches on so many things. I think that it's a great book for inspiring some conversations about gender, bullying, and family. There were a lot of moments, as I read this, where I really wanted the people around Gemma to stop being so selfish and self-centred: her father, her brother, her best friend, and the popular kids. At the same time, I was conflicted, because there were moments when Gemma made herself really hard to like, when she was dealing with her teacher about her project. And some of that was because Gemma is so tall and acting like an adult that I forgot that she was only 14 and still not mature enough to really process the things going on in her life with the maturity of an adult. And let's be honest, most adults would be challenged to do what she did without having some things go south.

The artwork is well done. The story moves and has some good character development, especially Gemma of course. My only reason for not giving this a 5 star is because the ending kind of wraps up with a neat little bow and so quickly that it was a bit jarring. But all in all, a good graphic novel for sure.

*I received an ARC via NetGalley.

[Nicole Galbraith · Rating 4 out of 5]

After Gemma's mother left, she carries the burden of holding the family together. This doesn't leave a lot of time to pursue her passion for baseball. Her brother, Teddy, is the baseball star of the family. But, when a video of her pitching goes viral it looks like it might be her big chance too.

This book does a great job of realistically portraying the impacts of a mother abandoning her family. Gemma and Teddy both feel responsibility beyond their years, and feel resentment towards each other. Beyond the home, the issues carry into school as Gemma is assigned a school project about her family history. She's also faced with typical changes in teenage friendships, when her oldest friend seems more interested in impressing popular kids than Gemma's feelings.

Despite the problems explored in the story, Fox Point's Own Gemma Hopper, doesn't feel like a "heavy" book. The graphic novel format adds a lightness by showing the emotions through pictures. The focus on baseball also makes it high interest for young readers. It was very refreshing to have a sports-centered book with a female protagonist.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gemma Hopper is having a horrible year. Her mother has gone, leaving her father to work two jobs and Gemma to do the cooking, cleaning, laundry and care for her younger twin brothers on top of school. Her handsome older brother is a baseball super star, about to leave for an traveling All-Star team and talented pitcher Gemma feels always in his shadow. 6ft tall and built like a bean pole, Gemma also feels increasingly out of step at school and with her best-friend who longs to be part of the popular crowd. When a family tree assignment pushes Gemma to the brink, things really begin to spiral and her anger and sadness cause her to lash out at the people around her.

Brie Spangler's story and clear graphic art are compelling and deeply sympathetic. I was caught up completely in the story and rooting for Gemma from page one. I'm a baseball fan but I think even those who aren't will find the sports component interesting. It is Gemma herself, her insecurities, resentment and unhappiness that is the focus and as she confronts those emotions and begins to value herself, all readers will be cheering.

[Lauren R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a tall, baseball-loving middle schooler (also a lefty), reading a book about someone similar to me was fun. Other than the excellent illustrations, I liked the emotional transitions Gemma goes through. Many people can connect with feeling good and then suddenly bad about oneself, especially as a teenager facing sibling, parental, and friendship problems while not being comfortable with their bodies. At the novel's beginning, Gemma is having a hard time, mainly because she cannot unleash her passion for baseball. Still, she becomes happier and builds better relationships after fully harnessing her talent. I hope many other kids can read this novel and understand how important it is to follow their dreams and not let anything stop them. The message I received from this book was that though one may feel pressured to do certain things, they are supported by at least one person, but usually a community. While I recommend this novel to a younger audience, any baseball fan would appreciate the references. Trigger warning: the Red Sox are Gemma's favorite team.

[Jaclyn Hillis]

“I fail every day, but at least I still try.”

In their tiny corner of Fox Point, Rhode Island, Gemma Hopper’s older brother, Teddy, is destined to become a Major League star. Gemma loves playing baseball too, but lately she’s too busy. And pitching to her brother for batting practice has kind of taken the fun out of it for her.

If you know me, you know I’m a huge baseball fan. But I’m an even bigger fan of seeing women breaking barriers in the sport! So I was an instant fan of Gemma. For a seventh grader, Gemma has a lot on her plate. Her mom is gone, and her dad is never home because he’s working two jobs. Gemma is taking care of the house and her twin little brothers. And there is still school, of course.

Baseball was the star of this book, but we also get themes of friendship and family. We see just how much pressure is put on Gemma, and Teddy, and how they eventually come together in the end. There was the perfect amount of middle school drama, too. I’d love to see a sequel for this one.

[Victoria Whipple · Rating 4 out of 5]

7th grader Gemma has a lot on her plate, having been pushed into the role of caretaker for her 3 brothers and father after her mother left for reasons that are never explained. Her 14 year old brotehr is a baseball prodigy, already with talk of making it to the leagues which he sees as a way out of poverty for his family. That's a lot of pressure on a kid. Besides all of the household chores Gemma is responsible for, she also trains her brother every day, pitching so he can practice his hitting--always with an audience of local fans. One day when Gemma is fed up, she pitches what she wants rather than what her brother calls for, someone gets a video of her pitching, and it goes viral. Will Gemma get a chance to pursue her derailed baseball dreams as well? Besides family and baseball drama, Gemma also is trying to find her place and her people in middle school, and risks losing her best friend. Spangler used a limited color palette of mainly shades of aqua and her shifting perspectives highlight action both on and off the field. Main characters all appear white. gr. 4-9

[Amelia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dug the message and I love the relationship between Gemma and her older brother. The friendship with Bailey and the way it evolved felt very real, very middle school almost HS.

Some of the characters expressions felt over the top with the reactions, very much like traditional anime. Not sure if it took me out of the story or not…it was like it could see it animated in my head!

The mom situation in conjunction with the apparent complete abandonment by her grandparents sucks, but it’s not unusual and would unfortunately probably resonate with many young kids out there. The quick way her dad turned around at the end was the middle school ending where everything turns out ok! I was kind of expecting her dad to say no because she had to watch the twins… so glad I don’t write middle school books 🤣 this ending was much better!

Friendship, relationships, roles and expectations. This book is for kids into baseball- the boys see themselves in Teddy and the girls in Gemma. Friendship in middle school book. 4th-8th grade.

[Olga S · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Children's, Knopf Books for Young Readers and TBR and Beyond Tours for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review*

"And maybe I will fail, but I deserve the chance to try."

This is a graphic novel about Gemma, a girl who loved baseball but didn't play much. She didn't want to outshine her star brother who was a baseball star. And I mean she had a lot in her plate. I absolutely adored Gemma. She had flaws. She lacked confidence and she was trying to keep adjusting to her new life after her mother left her and her brothers. I cried for Gemma, with Gemma. I adored this tall awkward girl with a gold heart. And I'm sure if you give her a chance you will love her too.

[Gina Malanga · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new obsession of graphic novels has found another favorite. This really touching book about loss, family, and finding out who you really are is set in none other than my home state of Rhode Island. Gemma‘s mom is gone and she finds herself in the difficult role of running a household, Trying to be a friend, and also being a baseball partner to her All-Star brother. But when all those things begin to be too much, she feels like maybe she lost her self along the way. By the end of the book Gemma‘s had to make some realizations about herself, where she is come from, and where she’s going. Through the whole book, the author’s love for baseball, go Red Sox, shines through, and the idea that when we can break through all the negative self talk, we can accomplish amazing things!

[Murray · Rating 4 out of 5]

7th grader Gemma Hopper is struggling as her mother has abandoned the family, her father is working two jobs, and is taking care of her brothers. Her older brother Teddy is a baseball prodigy who has the chance to leave home and join an elite traveling baseball team in Florida. But when she is filmed striking out her brother during batting practice she may have the chance to live her dream as well but she wrestles with her emotions of feeling like she would be abandoning her father and younger brothers. A spot on realistic portrayal of young girl trying to be all things to all people while trying to figure out how to be true to herself. Recommended for middle grade readers 10-14 who like realistic sport themed stories.