What can a growing boy whose height suggests basketball prowess do when everyone else expects him to play basketball? Xander’s shoe size gains him a nickname he hates. His supportive, involved, middle class family tries to help - all but his sister - but he can’t seem measure up to expectations. His fine arts teacher knows that the student she calls Alexander not only loves to loves to draw, but that he’s good at it. He creates an award winning poster at school, and in doing that he begins to realize a greater significance of hands. From Jeff, an adult male leader at the neighborhood center, Xander finds out he has the excellent hand-eye coordination, one reason why he’s good at drawing and also a reason why he might try pitching a baseball. Jeff tells him about the great pictcher Satchel Paige, and Xander begins to realize that a nickname can also be positive. Affectionately created occasional black and white artwork portrays this likeable African American boy and other characters in this warm and welcome easy-to-read short novel. (Ages 7-10)

Despite his love of drawing and his feelings of inadequacy as an athlete, sixth-grader Xander Suitcase Bingham works to become a baseball player to win the approval of his father.