Painting the Game

In this tender middle grade novel by Patricia MacLachlan, young Lucy navigates her love of baseball and her complex relationship with her father, a minor league pitcher striving for the big leagues. As she secretly practices throwing the perfect knuckleball, Lucy grapples with feelings of self-doubt and the desire to prove herself, all while coping with her father's absences. The story explores themes of perseverance, family bonds, and finding courage to pursue one's passions.