Grand Slam!: A Branches Book (Sports Zone! #3)

By: Maraniss, Andrew

Published by Scholastic Inc., 2026-08-04

Best friends Jasper, Mo, and Ruby try out for their town's travel baseball team in the next installment of this action-packed, fully illustrated early chapter book series by New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss!

Pick a book. Grow a Reader!

This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly independent readers. With easy-to-read text, high-interest content, fast-paced plots, and illustrations on every page, these books will boost reading confidence and stamina. Branches books help readers grow!

Jasper is excited to finally get the chance to play on a travel baseball team with all of his friends! But it turns out taking his game to the next level comes with its own set of challenges. As the big tournament approaches, Jasper and his teammates learn some tricky baseball rules and prepare to face off against other travel teams. Then best friends Jasper, Mo, and Ruby head to Chicago, where they'll get to attend a real MLB game and even stay at a hotel during the tournament. Can the Raintree Blue Sox take the trophy and have fun doing it?

Engaging black-and-white artwork appears on every page, and game-time scenes are told through fully-illustrated, graphic novel-style panels. Nonfiction sidebars are also scattered throughout, introducing young readers to sports legends and other fun facts. Kids will learn all about baseball as they read this book, and they won't be able to put it down because of its action-packed, relatable story!