Lupe Lopez has a big dream - to be the first in her family to graduate high school and earn a softball scholarship. But when she and her best friend Penny discover they're short on required community service hours, Lupe's college dreams are in jeopardy. Reluctantly, Lupe volunteers at the Villa Santa Barbara retirement home. There she meets Mr. Ramirez, a baseball fanatic who teaches Lupe about empathy and the importance of community. At the same time, Lupe's softball team is on a losing streak, putting their chances of earning scholarships at risk. The pressure builds as Lupe also struggles to support her brother after an accident. Throughout this coming-of-age story set in 1990's Santa Barbara, Lupe grapples with her identity as a Latina athlete and the expectations placed on her both on and off the field. With memorable characters and themes of family, friendship, and perseverance, Lupe Throws Like a Girl is a heartwarming young adult novel that reminds us of the power of sports to unite people. If you love stories of self-discovery, the bonds of community, and the challenges faced by young women in sports, you'll be captivated by Lupe's journey. Join her as she learns the true meaning of strength, empathy, and achieving one's dreams against all odds.