Heart of a Champion

Who is the novel named for? Who ultimately has the heart of a champion?

Compare and contrast the different father figures in Seth’s life. Who does he learn the most from and why? Who offers the least and why?

While Deuker offers physical descriptions of many peripheral characters, he barely describes his main characters. Why? What impact does it have on a reader when a character’s appearance is not described?

Seth sometimes works hard to please his mother, his teachers, and his coaches, and other times rebels against them. Why does he rebel against people he values and respects? What positives come from his rebellion? What negatives?

Are Seth and Jimmy addicted to baseball? Is it possible to be addicted to something that builds character and causes you to act in ways that are beneficial to others? Research symptoms of addiction to support your answer.

Why does Jimmy not recognize that he is repeating his father’s relationship with alcohol? Clearly, Jimmy’s mother and coaches would have found him help for this issue if he had confided in them. Why does he not seek help from adults?

Consider the novel’s description of baseball games. How does it compare to actual color commentary? How does it add to our understanding of characters?

Seth and Jimmy are best friends, but their power dynamic is not equal. How do they maintain a friendship that depends on one being lesser? To what degree does their friendship depend on sharing their deep inner selves with each other?