"Biggie" is a fantastic read! I can't say enough how much I loved the story. Author Derek Sullivan tells a story about a high school boy who's over 300 pounds. The words to describe the character's thoughts and feelings, just blew my mind. It was like I was back in high school again. His words could not be any truer.

The inner struggles of being a boy, in high school, born from an legendary baseball player, living in a small town in Iowa, and being socially awkward are all topics that are tackled with eloquent words, punchy dialogue, and scenes that come to life right off the black and white pages.

I'm not a baseball fan, but I felt like I was sitting in the bleachers, cheering for the players, and screaming at the coaches. The only thing that is missing was the smell of freshly roasted peanuts, but do they do that for high school games? I don't know.

What I do know is I was mentally with Biggie on that pitcher's mound. I felt my body go through the motions. I counted in my head as I read it on the page. I was the pitcher. ( )

At 300+ pounds, Henry Abbott, son of former Finch High School star athletes, is nicknamed Biggie for an obvious reason. In order to avoid being taunted, he never attracts attention to himself. His only friends are long distance and online. In the past, he forged his mother’s signature on notes excusing him from gym. Unfortunately, his mother found the note he planned to hand in at the beginning of junior year and tore it up. Forced to attend gym, Biggie unexpectedly pitches a Wiffle Ball no hitter on the first day. Spurred on by his younger baseball phenom half-brother, Biggie begins to dream of being the first Finch High School pitcher to pitch a no hitter. It might also help him win the heart of Annabelle who he loves from afar. First he must lose weight and learn to play the game, coached by his baseball playing stepfather. Biggie develops a five step plan to play baseball, befriend the jocks and win Annabelle.

Sullivan adeptly shows Biggie’s loneliness. After years of isolation, Biggie’s interpersonal skills are lacking and his social clumsiness when among his peers is realistic. Sullivan strains credibility, however, when the baseball team immediately accepts Biggie and in some of the action towards the end of the book. Sullivan does include humor when dealing with Biggie’s issues. His epiphany at the end is totally expected, as he is haunted by his parents’ athletic legacy. Biggie is an enjoyable ‘underdog makes good’ story which will especially appeal to baseball fans. ( )