Tryouts: (A Graphic Novel)

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

It's warm up time in this newest installment in the Brinkley Yearbook series. Will Alexandra make the cut and help the historically boys baseball team defend their 9-year championship title?

Alexandra, also known as Al, has been playing baseball with her older brothers for as long as she can remember. But when she ages out of Little League, it seems like it’s the end of the road for Al and the sport she loves. Until, that is, her friend Sammy suggests that Al try out for the middle school team—a team that has always been boys-only. 

Al is prepared to fight for her right to try out, but to her surprise, the coach is delighted by her interest. When Al makes the team, it seems like everything is going to work out. But with a tenth consecutive championship on the line for Brinkley Middle School and a team that can’t seem to get along, will their season ground out faster than Al can say “home run”?

Series Overview: Picture Day: June 2023

Tryouts: May 2024

School Dance: Spring 2025

Class Trip: Fall 2025 or Spring 2026

About the Author

Sarah Sax is an author-illustrator based in Portland, ME. She studied illustration, animation and storytelling at Hampshire College. Sarah has a background in arts education and she was a former Creative Director at Lumos Labs (Lumosity) in San Francisco. Sarah cares deeply about how, why and what people create (and how to foster the creative spark in those who've forgotten or are fearful to try). Picture Day is her graphic novel debut.

Author Residence: Portland, ME