Running the Bases: Definitely Not a Book About Baseball
#1 in Running the Bases Series
on Goodreads (58)
What’s inside...
A hilariously honest look at the misadventures of teenage dating.Alan Macklin is your average 17-year-old guy with a simple goal. He wants to get a girl. But trial and error has made one thing perfectly clear: when it comes to the opposite sex, Alan keeps on striking out. Repeatedly. And painfully. He knows he needs help. His friend Jeremy proves useless, so he turns to someone who might actually have some good advice.Maggie Macpherson has lots of goals for herself, including a career in law or psychology or both, but she needs some cash to reach them. Alan becomes the perfect client for her new consulting business: a desperate guy with a simple objective and deep pockets. For a fee, she takes on the Alan project and coaches him from girl to girl, base to base.With Maggies guidance Alan comically builds his dating experience until hes convinced he can get along without her coaching. But soon hes washed up on the romantic shores, dumped by the woman of his dreams. Once again, theres only one person who can give Alan the advice he needs... but he has to be willing to listen.From the Trade Paperback edition.
Discussion points
What do you think the main character learned about friendship throughout the story?
How did the characters' relationships change from the beginning to the end of the book?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a tough decision, like the characters in the book? What did you do?
The title of the book is quite misleading! Why do you think the author chose this title?
How would you have handled the challenges faced by the characters?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, relate the characters' experiences to real-life scenarios your child may encounter, enhancing their empathy and decision-making skills.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s themes, validating their opinions to foster open communication.
Use examples from the book to discuss the importance of honesty and integrity with your child, drawing parallels to their everyday life.
Praise your child for insightful comments or unique perspectives during the conversation, reinforcing their critical thinking and confidence.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of honesty
Explanation: The protagonist faces situations where they must choose truth over deceit, underscoring the value of honesty.
Real-World Application: Children learn the significance of being truthful in their interactions and its positive impact on trust-building.
Example Lesson: Value of perseverance
Explanation: Challenges faced by characters emphasize the importance of persisting despite difficulties, highlighting perseverance.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to continue striving towards their goals, regardless of obstacles, fostering resilience.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding others
Explanation: Characters in the book face various personal struggles, offering readers insights into different perspectives and fostering empathy.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider others' feelings and circumstances, promoting emotional intelligence and better social interactions.
Example Lesson: Impact of choices and consequences
Explanation: The story reveals how each decision made by the characters leads to certain outcomes, demonstrating the concept of consequences.
Real-World Application: This educates children about responsibility and the importance of making thoughtful decisions.