A Long Pitch Home

In Virginia’s leafy suburbs, ten-year-old Bilal drills language drills like he once practiced spin bowlers in Lahore’s dusty cricket pitches, determined to prove his worth on an alien diamond where baseball steals thunder from cricket’s roar. Uprooted by his father’s urgent decision, Bilal lands in his aunt and uncle’s cozy ranch-style home alongside cousin Jalaal, whose easy fastballs mirror the American dream Bilal chases one pitch at a time. Each morning, he juggles English phrases like bright-eyed runner tags, while afternoons find him on the Little League mound, where he squares off against boys who see shrimp curry as exotic fuel and wonder when—or if—Bilal’s father will cross the Atlantic for the big game. When Jordan—the team’s only girl—offers a fist bump and batting tips, he must decide whether forging an unlikely friendship matters as much as a strikeout. Katherena Vermette’s emotionally charged story stitches Immigration Rights, Education Equity, and Cultural Understanding into every throw, offering classrooms, youth clubs, and reading circles an inspiring playbook for belonging in a world reshaped by migration. Tap the Save to List button to bookmark this title, or tap the External Link button to view purchase and rental options.