Swing

Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess

The Slingshot is a bi-monthly digital downloadable product that features copywork and dictation passages from a specific novel. It is geared toward teens ages 15–18 and is the indispensable tool for Brave Writer parents who want to teach language arts in a natural, literature-bathed context.

This guide contains the following features:

• 4 Passages for copywork/dictation
• Notes about punctuation, spelling, vocabulary, literary devices, and literary analysis 
  
• Beyond the Passage and Inside Scoop boxes
• 9 Think Piece questions
• Golden Lines prompt
• Book Club Party Ideas
• 47 pages
• Publication Date: May 2022

How does the Slingshot fit into the Brave Writer complete language arts program? Learn more on our Getting Started page.

All products are digital and downloadable. All sales are FINAL. No refunds.

About the book

Best friends Noah and Walt are far from popular, but Walt is convinced junior year is their year, and he has a plan that includes wooing the girls of their dreams and becoming amazing athletes. Never mind he and Noah failed to make their baseball team yet again, and Noah’s crush since third grade, Sam, has him firmly in the friend zone. While Walt focuses on his program of jazz, podcasts, batting cages, and a “Hug Life” mentality, Noah feels stuck in status quo … until he stumbles on a stash of old love letters. Each one contains words Noah’s always wanted to say to Sam, and he begins secretly creating artwork using the lines that speak his heart. But when his art becomes public, Noah has a decision to make: continue his life in the dugout and possibly lose the girl forever, or take a swing and finally speak out.

At the same time, American flags are being left around town. While some think it’s a harmless prank and others see it as a form of protest, Noah can’t shake the feeling something bigger is happening to his community. Especially after he witnesses events that hint divides and prejudices run deeper than he realized.

As the personal and social tensions increase around them, Noah and Walt must decide what is really important when it comes to love, friendship, sacrifice, and fate.-Amazon

Purchase the Swing novel here.

This month's book selection is from the year-long Slingshot program. 

A note about content

Please be aware that Swing contains mature themes that may require adult guidance to navigate. We encourage you, the parent or guardian, to pre-read this novel to be sure it is right for your student.