Baseball in April, and Other Stories

A parent would reach for this book when their middle schooler is feeling like an outsider or struggling with the everyday anxieties of growing up, from first crushes to the pressure of sports. It is especially resonant for children looking to see their own Mexican American heritage reflected in a way that feels honest, grounded, and modern rather than historical or stereotypical. Gary Soto captures the bittersweet reality of childhood in California's Central Valley through eleven short stories. The book explores universal themes of self-consciousness, family loyalty, and the small but significant disappointments of adolescence. Parents will appreciate the nuanced, realistic tone that avoids easy answers, instead offering a mirror to the complex identity and social navigation that defines the 10 to 14 age range.