Book Description

Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn't know any English, so it's hard to make friends. Then a miracle-baseball-happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone's hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America and for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.

Notable Children's Books of 1984 (ALA)
Best Books of 1984 (SLJ)
Notable 1984 Childrens' Trade Books in Social Studies (NCSS/CBC)
Children's Books of 1984 (Library of Congress)
1984 Children's Books (NY Public Library)
1985 Jefferson Cup Award (Virginia Library Association)

Reviews (45)

nice book about cultural changes
On the other side of the world from Brooklyn, New York there lives a little girl known as Bandit. After living in China for 8 years, Bandit's clan gets a mysterious letter from Father, announcing that Bandit, her mother and he will go to Mei guo, meaning beautiful country, which is America. Her new American name is Shirley Temple Wong. That's how Bette Bao Lord begins her book about Shirley. As far as I know, that's pretty much what the author experienced herself. This is a great book about cultural changes, making friends and 'America's Favorite Past time', Baseball.

As I already mentioned above, a kind, but a little bit shy, girl called Shirley comes to America without the knowledge of a single English word. Shortly after that she attends an All American school. Even though she knows a bit English after a few months, she still doesn't have any friends. Then, on one nice day, when she played Baseball for the first time in her life she makes a spectacular Home Run. The next day Jackie Robinson isn't only the Dodger's hero, but also Shirley's.

After you read this book, you will probably know more about China, then when you first touched this book. Many of the changes that Shirley has to make are described funny, some even hilarious. You, no matter how old, or what gender you are, you should definitely read this book.

In the year of the boar and Jackie Robinson
This story is about a little Chinese girl, Shirley, who goes to America and interacts with foreign friends. She couldn't speak English and she had a hard time with adapting to the new culture of America. She got interested in a game called stickball but she spoiled all the games because she didn't know how to play. Everyone ignored her. Read the rest of the book to find out if Shirley gets a best friend or not.
I like the way the author describes the new school and the children in the class. " The room was large, with windows up to the ceiling. Row after now of students, each one unlike the next. Some faces were white, like clean plates; others black like ebony. Some were in between shades" -page.44
I think people who live in new countries other than their home country should read this book because author makes the story interesting and you'll know what it was like for Shirley and what it was like for you. I felt this book was good for class time but I wouldn't choose for myself if I was not in a foreign country.

my book review
(...)

This book starts out in China where a young girl, named Bandit is forced to go to America. She must go because her father wants Bandit and her mother to move to America and make it their home. Bandit is not sad however, because she'll finally get to be together with her father. Bandit takes the name of Shirly Temple Wong and starts her trip to America. At first she struggles but soon, she learns to play baseball and starts making friends.

Something i like about this book is the way it is clear and understandable and also a little funny. Many people would be able to relate to some of her embarressing moments. I think the book is very understandable because there are no big words and the sentences are kept simple. I could just read through the entire book without going back to make sure i read some paragraph right."One sunny afternoon, Shirly leaned out the third story window of P. S 8 slapping the chalk from the class erasers." This quote is one of the good ones. It is clear and the author keeps it simple with enough detail to satisfy the reader.

One part that was funny, and i could relate to was when shirly got lost on her way back from the store."What a fool she was! Nothing but a fool. Utterly ashamed, she hid her face in her arms." This quote from the book describes Shirly after she is lost and gives up. I remember many times when i was young and would get lost alot and start getting scared.

My favorite part of the book was when Shirly is told to go home. She thinks that the kids hate her and want her to go home, but really they meant to get her to run to home base. It is funny how some things can be misconcieving and how people may think very differently from others.

Multi-Cultural Clash?
My book is called In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. The author of this book is Betty Lao Lord. This story is about a girl named bandit. She gets a letter from her father telling her she is coming to America. It's a long plane ride and a long train ride but she finally made it. Then she thought about what she had to do to fit in in America. She had to speak English and make new friends. Well that didn't go very well. The first person she met punched her in the face but the next day she apologized and taught her how to play stick ball so she wouldn't get in trouble. When she ran the bases everyone called her Jackie Robinson because she was pigeon-toed. Then she started to get interested in baseball. She watched every game from there on that Brooklyn Dodgers played. She was heart-broken when they lost to the Yankees in the World Series. But her next quest was to become class president.
I thought this was a great book. I couldn't put the book down. I would give the book five stars. I would give it five stars because it kept me guessing until the very end. It was also very funny.

The Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Reading this story I feel as if I am the protagonist, Shirley Temple, of the book. I think the author has done a good job by writing this book such a story as this, especially for children who move from one country to another. Bette Bao Load's style of writing is so vivid. I can picture Shirley. I like the author's style. This story is about Shirley being in a new country, with no friends and she can't speak English properly. Later Shirley is able to make friends. We can learn a lesson from this story of Jackie Robinson. Shirley wanted to make a difference in her life as well as in America. The book is really good and it makes you realized that we are here for a purpose come what may, with strong determination life will be good . ... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (7)

A Great Book
I really like this book because you never know what is going to happen next. Also if you like books with varieties of stories then you should read this book as soon as you get it. There is also so much excitement in this great book, like characters get in twists and turns. Read how they get out of their troubles. All readers hear this: if you like excitement than this is the book for you!

This is a must read!
I am a college student attending Northern Michigan University in the Elementary Education program. I have read quite a number of books this semester and this has to be my favorite. While at first I was not crazy about reading a book that featured Mexican-Americans, I soon erased any doubt I had about the book. This book was not only about Mexican-Americans, it was about every single child that has grown up in the last twenty years. Mr. Soto has truly captured what it is like to grow up. The book talks about riding bikes, talking to girls for the first time, spending time with your grandparents, not having to go on the family vacation for the first time, and wanting to take karate lesson because you saw how cool karate could be. If you have trouble remembering what it was like growing up, read this book and you will remember everything that ever happened to you as a child.
What this book really hits on is that children grow up and have that same hopes and dreams that every other child in the world has. As a future teacher I would recommend this book to every teacher. While the book may not hold a significant academic value, it definitely holds a strong social value for children. It allows children to see that other children are going through the same exact thing they are. I commend Mr. Soto for publishing such a fine book that looks at the world in the simplest of ways; through a child's eyes.

A look at the spirit of children
Gary Soto reaches the soul of children and their day to day lives. My sixth graders in Minnesota were excied and drawn to all of the characters in his book and chose to keep reading. He touches the human spirit and stuggles so many have faced as middle school kids. Thumbs up and way to go Gary.

Good Collection
This is my first introduction to Gary Soto, and I must say that I enjoyed it. Most notable about these books is that they just follow the lives of the various characters in their stories who just happen to be Latino. Except for the glossary at the end of the book, this book was not written to "introduce" us gringo's to another culture. Rather, it's a book about boys and girls who have the same dreams and aspirations that are universal. These characters do not set out to change the world, but rather just get by day by day in the little space of earth that they inhabit. Very well done, perhaps written a bit simply at times, but for the most part, these stories are enjoyable.

Read this book, please.
It delivers a warm Mexican-American voice, and speaks to middle schoolers with great authenticity. My Mexican-American students who read this book have commented: "This book is about me, I can't believe how real it is." "Do you have more books by Gary Soto, I want to read them all." I never read a book like this before, it's so real." ... Read more

Book Description

Now anyone can be one of the "boys or girls of summer" and get a home plate view of America's favorite pastime in "H is for Home Run: A Baseball Alphabet."this new offering in our line of children's alphabet books brings the game of baseball to entertaining and informative life.Sports writer Brad Herzog pairs easy-to-read rhymes with detailed expository so that readers are pitched baseball's facts, faces, history, and places from A-Z. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A "Hit" For Young Baseball Fans
When I was recently looking for a book for a very young baseball hopeful, I came across H IS FOR HOME RUN. The book is more than an "alphabet book." It not only has an appropriate baseball term or tidbit of baseball for each letter, it also has an informative bit of baseball information. The text is well written and the illustrations are marvelous. It is the perfect book for any young slugger, but I can also see it being helpful for baseball illiterates like me-people who pretends to know something about the sport but are to embarrassed to ask. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The loveable, disaster-prone hero of Joey Pigza Swallowed the Key isback, this time in charge of his attention deficit disorder and ready to greetthe world as a normal kid--with the help of his new and improved meds, ofcourse. Now that Joey has a handle on his actions, he feels prepared to face themost mysterious member of his family--his estranged father, Carter Pigza. Heconvinces his skeptical mom to let him spend part of his summer vacation gettingto know his dad again. The only problem is that Joey's dad is just as wired asJoey used to be: "I looked over at his mouth, which never seemed to close--noteven the lips touched together--and it made me dizzy to listen to him." Carterbelieves that Joey can kick his ADD the way he himself kicked alcoholism--coldturkey. But when Carter flushes his meds, Joey has to decide if being friendswith his dad is worth losing his hard-won self-control. "That old Joey wascoming to get me and I couldn't do anything about it... I closed my eyes andtold myself to sleep while I could."

Jack Gantos's second book about Joey Pigza is just as delightful and soulful ashis first. Joey's attempts to keep the fragile peace in his life intact aretouching, and his intense longing to just be normal will mirror the feelings ofmost preteens, whether they have ADD or not. Joey Pigza may sometimes losecontrol, but he never loses his heart. This is an exceptional sequel. (Ages 10and older) --Jennifer Hubert ... Read more

Reviews (102)

Summer Reading
Joey's dad convinces Joey's mom to let Joey stay with him for the summer. Things go haywire when Joey's dad gets rid of his medicine. This causes many problems. So, will he get his medicine back?

JOEY PIGZA LOSES CONTEL is a great book for a
Gross and funny laugh.

Think about reading it.
Joey Pigza is a kid who is on medicine for his hyperactivity. He meets his dad.His dad doesn't like the fact that he is on meds for his hyperactivity, so he flushes his meds down the toilet. After that day, Joey starts to lose control. Will Joey ever get back on his meds? Read this book to find out. This book is for anyone who wants a good laugh and loves a crazy story. It is a great story; I would read it over and over again.

Six Star Review
The good news, Joey's got 6 weeks with his dad.
The bad news, He's a Maniac!

Yes, Pigza's in for a bumpy ride down crazy town.He's playing hooky, turning himself into the abominable snowman and other crazy things.Can Joey ever pull himself together long enough to escape a madman of his father?

Prepare to bust a gut laughing cause this book is 101%gauranteed to have your family laugh so hard, they'll barf.

The Best Book Ever
Joey Pigza Loses Control
Joey Pigza is not so normal, but when he goes and lives with his dad we find out that Joeys' dad (Carter) isn't normal either. After Carter flushes Joeys' patches down the toilet, Joey does many strange things, from eating 1,000,000 jelly packets to trying to get back to his mom in his dad's car. After a while,Joey figures out that he needs his patches. What do you think will happen? Will he get his medicine or will he loses control?


Joey Pigza Loses Control is a funny book to read, but it teaches you that adults aren't always right about things.

Joey Pigza Loses Control


I kind of liked the story because, it sounded interesting. I wanted to find out if Joey's visit was worth it. I also think that Jack Gantos is a good author.

This book is about a boy named Joey who goes to visit his dad for the first time. His mom always said bad things about Carter, Joey's dad, but Joey was determined to find out the truth and prove she was wrong. So can they forget about the past or will it always be there? Joey has a problem, he can't sit still, and sometimes he can get a little carried away or, he just loses it all together. Carter's problem is he doesn't know how to treat his son and he drinks a lot of alcohol. They both take medicine patches to keep themselves in control but when Joey's dad takes the patches away, do you think the visit will still be the same so-so summer together or will it be a memory to last a lifetime...

In my opinion, I think that kids with similar disorder like A.D.D can relate to Joey and understand things from his point of view. This book is also kind of funny, so it can be fun just to read for school or in your spare time.
... Read more

Book Description

Joe Stoshack lives for baseball. He knows everything there is to know about the game -- except how to play well. His specialty is striking out. Stosh feels like a real loser, and when he takes a low-paying job cleaning a bunch of junk out of his neighbor's attic, he feels even worse -- until he comes across a little piece of cardboard that takes his breath away. His heart is racing. His brain is racing. He can hardly believe his eyes. Stosh has stumbled upon a T-206 Honus Wagner -- the most valuable baseball card in the world! And he's about to find out that it's worth a lot more than money....

Reviews (27)

Home Run!!!!!
The book that I read was really good. it is called Honus and Me by Dan Gutman. If you like baseball,then I think you would like this book. It is about a kid names Stosh who plays baseball, he's also a big baseball card collector. One day, he finds a Honus Wagner card! (these are very rare) Stosh isn't rich but he wouldn't call himself poor. His parents split up when he was younger and his mom doesn't make that much money. The card that he was holding was worth half a million dollars! Stosh goes to bed that night and wishes that he could go back in time and meet Honus himself. He feels a tingling sensation in the tips of his fingers just before he falls asleep. It turns out that he has the ability to go back in time! This adventure continues throughout the book as Stosh and Honus play in the world series and sign autograpghs. This action packed adventure is really good and everyone should read it. Even if you don't like baseball, you should also read other books by Dan Gutman.

Cool Book!
When a boy finds a VERY RARE baseball card in someone's attic, he is faced with the decision whether to return it or not. There are only 40 of these cards in the world! With this card he is able to meet the baseball star Honus Wagner. He goes back in time and finds himself an adult, bats for Honus Wagner because Honus's hand was hurt, and actually hits a home run! I am no baseball fan, but I have read ALL of Dan's books about baseball and loved them, and this was probably my favorite. P.S. This has a surprising ending, which is really cool, but I'll let you find out about that for yourself!

A sports lovers adventure
A Sports Lovers Fantasy!!!!!
Honus and Me by
Dan Gutman

This is a book about a kid who loves sports.In this book he finds thathe has a magical he can go back in time and visit famous baseball players from that time.
A exciting part in this book is when Hounus is playing in the world series.((As honus trooted in from his shortstop position at the end of the inning, he looked straight at me and patted his right shoulderwith his left hand.)) (( The signal.)) You will have to read the book to see what is going to happen.
I think probally a boy who likes sports books would like this story.This book has fantasy,history, and many other subjects.It is a great mystery and pepole who like old baseball history would ike this book to.
I would give this book a 4 out of 5. It is a short bookso if you need to do a book project it is very easy to read and a very fun book to read.This is my favorite book of all time and I would recomnd this book.

we love dan gutman's baseball card adventure books!
my 7 1/2 year old son (he's an above-grade reader) has read all five, and loved all of, dan gutman's baseball card books. i had the privilege of listening to one on tape -- this one, honus & me. it is well-told with great morality lessons and interesting historical information. Dan Gutman is the perfect author for baseball loving little boys. We both cant wait for his next.

GREAT BOOK FOR SPORTS FANS BY:KELSEY K
Honus and Me is a great book. It's about this little boy named Joe. He loves to collect baseball cards. One day he bought a pack of cards and found a one-of-a-kind Honus Wagner card, What he didn't know was that the card had a special power, ( You need to read the book to find out)

My favorite character was Joe. He was a good kid who loved baseball. I like him a lot because I am a big sports fan also.

My favorite part of the book was when Joe played in the major league game. He got to experience something that no other kid has done before.

I would encourage SPORTS FANS to read this book. Even if you aren't a big sports fan I still think you would really enjoy this book. ... Read more

Book Description

This is the moving story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a major league baseball team and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, PeeWee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate.
... Read more

Reviews (6)

the hardship in baseball
Teammates

Teammates is about 2 men named
Pees wee Reese and Jackie Robinson. Both of them were baseball players on the same
Team called the dogers. Pee wee
Reese was white and Jackie rob-
Inson was black. They were both
Friends and helped each other out. The players on their team
Came mostly from the south, men
Had been taught to avoid black
People since childhood. They moved to another table
Whenever Jackie sat down next
To them. Many opposing players
Were cruel to Jackie, calling him mean names from their
Dugouts. A few tried to hurt
Him with their spiked shoes.
It was bad for Jackie. Pitchers
Aimed for his head, and he
Received threats on his life,
Both from individuals and from
Oramizations like the Ku Klux
Klan. Jackie avoided all of it,
And made the team. Jackie and
Pee wee became really great
Friends and baseball legends.

Awesome!
This book teaches you alot about how blacks were treated back in the day. When Jackie Robinsion was signed to the Dodgers the fans and players treated him really badly. People threw stuff at him. Then a young teammate stood up for him and saved him from being ban from the team. So you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover.

classic
A simple telling of how Jackie Robinson came to play in the major leagues, this book portrays the prejudice he faced in a basic way that children can understand. And it shines a bright light on a quiet moment: PeeWee Reese's brave public declaration of solidarity with his teammate. This book has been my son's favorite for the past two years, since he was five.

Brooklyn Dodger Teammates: Jackie Robinson & Pee Wee Reese
"Teammates" tells the story of one of the more moving moments in the history of baseball that occurred during the 1947 season when the Brooklyn Dodgers traveled to Crosley Field in Cincinnati to play the Reds. Jackie Robinson, the first black man to play in the major leagues, was playing first base and being the target of hostility and abuse from the fans. At shortstop was Harold "Pee Wee" Reese, who born in the South, but who had refused to join other Southerners on the team in signing a petition to kick Jackie off the team. That day in Cincinnati, Reese did something that remains one of the bright moments of that historic season and which deserves to be more than a minor footnote in baseball history.

"Teammates" is written by Peter Golenbock, who heard the story of what happened that day from Rex Barney, who pitched for the Dodgers that day. Usually when the story of Jackie Robinson breaking the "color line" in baseball, the other key person in the story is Branch Rickey, the Dodger general manager. But Rickey could only support Robinson from the front office and not on the field, where it was Pee Wee Reese who decided to do something about that. Consequently, it is Reese who emerges as the hero of this particular story. Certainly it is safe to assume that anyone who reads this book knows something about Jackie Robinson; Golenbock talks about how Rickey needed somebody special to be the first, but does not get into the reasons why Robinson was that man (e.g., All-American football star at U.C.L.A., Army officer). But clearly "Teammates" is not intended to be the first book a youngster reads about the story of Jackie Robinson. Paul Bacon, as he did for the exquisite "Susanna of the Alamo," does both the design and illustration for this volume, combining historic photographs and items with his own watercolor paintings to tell the story.

A few brave men
This book is a true story that vividly describes the era of baseball and the scoial climate of race relations in the early 1940's. The Brooklyn Dodgers were the first Major Leauge Baseball team to hire an African American. Branch Rickey of the Dodgers was looking for "a man strong enough not to fight back". Jackie Robinson was of course that man and it was known as the "Great Experiment". It was tough for Jackie who ws not well recieived by many whites, including his teammates. One teammate was different, he knew he should always do what is right even if everyone around him including family or friends felt differently, that man was Pewee Reese. This book looks at how racism affected many aspects of society and how the strength of one indidual can change many attitudes. There is a variety of mediums used for the illustrations that only enhance the book. ... Read more

Book Description

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the first publication of Skinnybones, bestselling author Barbara Park has updated the text of this award-winning novel and made it even more hilarious. A whole new generation of kids will meet Alex "Skinnybones" Frankovich, the smallest player on his baseball team, who is famous for his big mouth. Alex knows he's gone too far when he brags his way into a battle of skills with T.J. Stoner, a cocky Little League legend with a perfect hitting record. Can blabbermouth Alex talk his way out of this mess? ... Read more

Reviews (21)

Hilarious and poignant
The first time I read this book I literally fell out of bed from laughing so hard. As a teacher, I read this book to my class nearly every year, and they love it! Alex is an endearing underdog who tries so hard to be what he is not: a size Large, knowledgeable baseball player. When he hears that a player is going to bunt he hasn't a clue what bunting means. He guesses it might mean to throw up, and this leads into the funniest scene I've ever read in children's literature. Every time I have to read it aloud I hardly can get through; I'm laughing so hard all my mascara runs. My class always gets an incredibly healthy, side-splitting, laugh from Alex's antics. He's also a very real character, with an inferiority complex, and a quirky way of viewing the world. He does find his strength in the end: comedy writing. This leads him into the sequel, Almost Starring Skinnybones, where his inferiorty complex turns into boasting bravado. One of the great qualitities of these books is Alex's depth of character, a real study in what can make "class clowns". I think the kids gain some understanding into the possiblity of sadness beneath the hilarity and the attention-seeking.

I loved it!
This book was great! Everybody should read this book. My teacher read it to me in third grade. The whole class always laughed and always wanted the teacher to read more. The book is about a boy named Alex. He always lies, is a terrible baseball player, and always gets himself into terrible messes. Then, there is the jerk, T.J. who is a great baseball player. Everybody thinks he is all that and he is always picking on Alex about his size and what a bad baseball player he is. Read this book! I would reccomend it to anyone!

Hilarious Middle-grade Novel
My love of Barbara Park began with her Junie B. Jones books. Although I've read several of her middle-grade novels this is the one I like as well as her early chapter books. I laughed out loud and loved this story's twists and turns.

Funny Bones
Alex "Skinnybones" Frankovitch is a memerable character from one of my favorite books as a young adult. Barbra Park delivers a story about a young boy who feels out of place and uses humor as a defense. This book still makes me laugh out loud, and I think children of all ages can relate to Alex because he is the underdog that always see to get himself into some kind of trouble. I am studying to be an elementary teacher and I planning on reading this book to my class because I know I will enjoy it as much as they will!

Funny as ever, but why the updates?
This book was one of my favorites when I was a kid (I'm 24 now) Skinnybones had, and still has, the ability to keep you giggling not only while you are reading it, but even after you've put it down. The only problem I had with this version was the disappointing decision by Barbara Park to "update" the references to ballplayers and the vernacular. To new readers of this book, this complaint doesn't matter, but to nostalgic readers like myself the differences detract enough from the book to be noticable ... Read more

Book Description

A BookSense 76 pick, and best-seller from coast to coast-Summerland is part fantasy, part adventure, part baseball, but most of all it's the story of a young boy, Ethan Feld-a lousy, but lovable little-leaguer who finds himself playing in the most important baseball game ever. Not only the game, but the fate of the world rests on his shoulders. ... Read more

Reviews (96)

More Magic by Michael
It was always apparent that Michael Chabon had a fantasy novel in him. From the vivid imagery of the Cloud Factory in "The Mysteries of Pittsburgh" through the fact/fiction world of Kavalier and Clay, Chabon's ability to create worlds with words has been unparralled in so called "modern fiction". What's suprising is the ease with which he leaps from serious writing to whimsical storytelling, without missing a beat.
"Summerland" was rumored to be a book for youths, but the crisp language and artful plotline are hallmark Chabon. Set in parallel worlds of Little League baseball, the story speaks to the kid in all of us that doesn't have all the talent, but finds in the end that faith can put tickmarks on the scorecard. Ethan Feld, the hero of "Summerland" is clearly a younger version of Art from "Mysteries", playing a part he feels wholly unsuited for, yet Chabon doesn't allow him to fail. One of my favorite things about Chabon's writing is his method of creating this type of character, and then nurturing him through rough waters. The other role players in this story include a legendary baseball bat ("Splinter"), ferishers, a werefox (a play on Chabon's Werewolves in Their youth?)and other fantasy sorts that are richly drawn and highly stylized. Ethan's friend, Jennifer T. Rideout is also a great character, with a knowledge of baseball lore that accompanies a golden throwing arm, and she is probably Chabon's best female creation to date (sorry Phlox), owing to her youth and love of baseball.
By the time you reach the "Home" section of this 500 page novel, you are reminded why, if you are a fan of his, you love Chabon's writing. His stories always close neatly, and leave you wondering just what happens to his cast on page 501. He's truly one of our greatest writers, and "Summerland" is a worthy successor to his achievements to date.

Clever, Imaginative Story Telling
I would have given it five stars if I loved baseball or if this book gave me a love of baseball but I do appreciate the author's, Michael Chabon, intense and passionate love of the game. A book for kids is the perfect follow-up to the wonderful Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Klay and it shows the author's gift for narrative to be as strong as ever and the story moves swiftly and breathlessly. The imaginary worlds he creates in Summerland come as more of a surprise, as they are both fresh and familiar as the same time. It may lack the sense of wonder of the Harry Potters or the complexities of His Dark Materials but it touches elements of both and brings in a little Americanism (reminiscent of Baum) along with it. He has turned the national sport into the stuff of myths and legends and turned the stuff of myths and legends into daily life. It is both a rollicking adventure story and a sweet meditation on story telling with (its only drawback to this non-fan) a lot of baseball. It is truly a modern American fairy tale.

Not recommended
Good fantasy/childrens' authors (Rowling, Tolkien, L'Engle, Ende, Lewis, etc.) twist or bend reality to reveal new worlds. In contrast, Chabon uses a blunt force trauma approach.

For example, there is a special creature (Cutbelly) who can travel from "Summerland" to "Winterland" and other worlds. Cutbelly can take the protagonist (Ethan) with him. Cutbelly dies or gets injured (reader can't tell) and Ethan simply picks up a really smart/nerdy grade school classmate to perform the complex task of navigating between worlds/dimensions. No explanation given as to how this seemingly normal gradeschool child without magical abilities can do this.

Characters, save one or two, did little to endear themselves to the reader.

The Ultimate Fatal Flaw: Chabon rather randomly creates characters, plot points, situations and worlds without adequate grounding, explanation, or motivation.

Unfortunately, I rarely read fiction (almost always reading work-related nonfiction) --- so this book was to be my "Summer" treat.

Avoid the dissapointment.

Summerland - makes me feel fine.
When you think of fantasy books in which characters band together to go on a mysterious quest, you think of one place. Britain. Most quest stories for children either are written by Brits or take place (as in the case of Lloyd Alexander's "Prydain Chronicles") in a European setting. Honestly, the most notable exception to this rule is also the oldest. "The Wizard of Oz" is a proudly American tale, beginning in Kansas and continuing in a land that has a particularly Yankee feel to it. So it should come as no surprise that the man to follow in the late great L. Frank Baum's shoes should be none other than Michael Chabon. An author mostly associated with books for adults, he has tried his hand at penning the ultimate American children's fantasy. And to his credit, he nearly succeeds.

"Summerland" begins on Clam Island where our hero, Ethan Feld, lives with his inventor father. The two are relative newcomers to the isle, but they participate whole-heartedly in the local youth baseball team. Ethan, unfortunately, is a horrendous player. He dislikes the sport and is perfectly aware that he is the reason the team has lost its last seven games. On one particular day, however, Ethan finds himself scouted by a local group of fairies or, as they prefer to be called, ferishers. The ferishers are looking for a hero, and their hero scout has come up with Ethan. Suddenly the boy that couldn't hit a baseball to save his life finds himself in charge of saving the universe in a world that couldn't possibly be any more different from his own.

First of all, I should state that if you do not like baseball in the least, do not read this book. "Summerland" hinges on the idea that in the Summerlands (a world like and unlike our own to which Ethan travels) baseball is a sport that absolutely everyone plays. Entire civilizations have been destroyed by the designated-hitter rule. Giants are capable of throwing thunder and lightening itself. And in the end, existence itself is decided after nine straight innings. The crazy crew of characters Ethan teams up with become his own private baseball team, and Ethan himself learns how to swing a mighty, if painful, bat.

I enjoyed all the particularly American aspects of this tale. The ferishers do not look like magical leprechauns or British elves. Instead, they bear some resemblance to Native Americans and they play a mean game of ball. Our heroes come across the ultimate trickster god/villain Coyote, and it is his plans that need to be changed for the world to keep on going. They meet up with a group called the Big Liars, a motley assortment of some of the best tall tale legends ever to walk the American soil. They befriend a sasquatch. What Chabon is doing here is incorporating a variety of enjoyable motifs and images that conjure up some of the most beloved images of the United States itself.

Which isn't to say the book is entirely a success. There is a definite trend amongst established adult writers these days to switch focus and write for children. Clive Barker, Joyce Carol Oats, Elmore Leonard, etc. Chabon is just the latest author to jump aboard the kiddie lit bandwagon, but he's got a ways to go. After all, it takes a fair amount of skill to successfully pen books that kids will not only read but also enjoy. I can't fault Chabon's ideas, plot, or characters in "Summerland" because they are, one and all, entrancing. That leaves the writing itself, and I'm afraid its just not up to par. Chabon has a nasty habit of not explaining things, a writing style that works perfectly well for adults but is a strain on younger readers. Large shifts in the plot occur from time to time without much in the way of explanation. One of the characters, for example, explains how Coyote promised her a little brother but it turned out badly in the end. A fair amount of guesswork has to go into understanding this speech and when all is said and done it's still fairly unclear. A multitude of different problems like this one sprout up all over the book. It's almost as if Chabon hasn't yet discovered his children's literature voice as of yet.

There's a lot to love in "Summerland" just the same. Ethan Feld, our reluctant hero, is nothing so much as a slightly modified Charlie Brown. Here we have a character that never succeeds without luck or a vast amount of effort. He doesn't suddenly wake up one morning and decide that he's going to be heroic or superior. And for the most part he's treated exactly like the boy he is by the other characters. Unlike almost every other person in this story, Ethan is completely normal. He has a deep wisdom that surfaces from time to time, but otherwise he's a believable child. A person dissecting this book to pieces might well argue that the entire point of the story can be summarized as, "Magical events teach a boy to love baseball", and that wouldn't be far off. It's the journey that takes him from disenchantment to a steadfast love of the game that makes the novel worth reading. Other touches, like classic Native American folktales, the fate of men that place discovery over reason, and the names of the giants, all combine to make this little epic enjoyable and a stitch.

It's not perfect, no. It's not. Michael Chabon has some practicing to do before he is included on the list of "Great Crossover Writers For Adults and Children" but he's definitely getting there. He's accomplished something with this book that most writers never come to. He's made an original American fantasy novel. It's no "Wizard of Oz", but it's getting there. And it is definitely worth your time and money to read it. If you like stories where the heroes are good, the villains complex, and the situations dire if not hopeless, read yourself a little "Summerland". It's a pip.

Chabon should go back to writing adult stories
Summerland by Michael Chabon
If I had to describe this book in 5 words, it would probably be a spin- off of the Harry Potter series. This book was not one of the best books I have read to say the least. I mean, sure it was "ok" and it did have some originality into it, but it didn't live up to its praise by Publisher's Weekly review stating that "Pulitzer Prize winner Chabon hits a high- flying home run." I wasn't impressed by Chabon's writing; the book didn't hold my attention; the most attention-grabbing parts were the color less pictures at the beginnings of each chapter. This book took me a lot to get into it and nothing to get me out of it. I highly anticipated this book when my 7th grade language teacher told me that after reading "Time Magazine" article on the adult author, Chabon is going to be the next J.K Rowling. But obviously, Chabon should go back to being an adult writer. Chabon is an adult writer so maybe adults would like to read a children's book written by an adult writer, I presume why the ratings for this book are so high. I would find it to be an insult to J.K Rowling's work because her work was being compared to his. Summerland is about a boy, Ethan, who lost his mother at a very young age, (like Harry Potter) and is having trouble playing baseball in which he is forced to play by his father. His Father is an inventor and invented a flying car. At this point the author doesn't clarify if this is in the future, past or present. From there, Ethan meets a creature by the name of Cutebelly and tells him of the other secret worlds in, which he lives in, that nobody knows of which might be vanished by an evil dictator named Coyote. Then Ethan discovered his father mysteriously disappeared (who was really kidnapped by Coyote). Along goes Ethan and friends to stop the evil Coyote from ruling the world(s) and possibly killing his Father by traveling through the worlds using his Father's old flying car and winning baseball games to defeat enemies that cross their path. This book is filled with morals, adventure and sickening amount of baseball games, so many that it makes you literally want to jump out of your chair and get a bat in order to play baseball using the book as a baseball. On a more serious note, I enjoyed how the author incorporated the metaphor of summer having its own world since during the summer it feels like a whole different place. I enjoyed his various and descriptive characters that he put in the book, but it may be overwhelming to some people. This book is arguably bad or good considering the person. My opinion on this book when recommending it would be not to read it, but if you enjoy Michael Chabon as a writer and have an obsession with baseball I would definitely recommend it. ... Read more

Book Description

Tom Gallagher finds himself in a tight spot. The fate of Dillontown rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. And it's all because Tom had to open his big mouth. If only he could get Dante Del Gato-the greatest hitter to ever play the game-to coach the team. But crazy ol' Del Gato hasn't spoken to folks in years, not after walking away from the game in disgrace just before his team played in its first World Series. Maybe Tom has one more hope: Cruz de la Cruz, the mysterious boy who just rode into town on horseback claiming to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Del Gato . . .

John H. Ritter's new novel celebrates the holy game of baseball, playing larger-than-life games with heroism, redemption, and the making of a legend. Cruz on. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

A Magical Book from a Writer's Writer!
John H. Ritter is a writer's writer. The way he paints the western landscape and his careful building of a modern day Tall Tale (in the manner of Twain's "Jumping Frog..." story) speak to his brilliance, too rarely available in juvenile literature today.

But Ritter is also a storyteller's storyteller. In no way do his multiple story layers and seamless literary craftsmanship lose the young reader or baseball fan or the middle school language arts teacher (like me) or the fantasy book lover of any age.

In The Boy Who Saved Baseball, Ritter pays great homage to songwriter Bob Dylan, (thus the story's setting, Dillontown, and the wondeful "Blowin' in the Wind" ending) and to Latino writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez's One Hundred Years of Solitude (thus the magical 100-year-old ballpark, the Mexican-American setting, and the dip into magical realism in creating the myth of Dante Del Gato).

I highly recommend this funny, uplifting, and brilliant story to readers of all ages.

We need John Ritter's next novel NOW!!!

My Favorite Book of the Year!!
I love this book! I've already read it three times and you have to to see all the cool stuff in it. I really like Cruz de la Cruz and Tom and Maria Flores. But del Gato is my hero because he is so honest and doesn't care what people say. This book is a mystery and a legend and you never see the ending coming-you think you do but you don't. That's why I read it all over again. My dad loved it, too.

how the boy saved baseball
The boy who saved baseball

This book is about a kid named tom and he is at a game and he makes an awesome catch and the team likes him from then on. It is about modern day and the kid is about 13 or14 and he is the type of kid that is really shy and does not like to talk or any thing and wants to be all that he can. The only reason why I read was because it is about baseball. Baseball is an ok sport to play but not as good as others. I do though like this book because fighting for a place for a baseball field. The book in the end ended in a way because they had a deal if they the team did not win the last game the diamond would get bull dozed over and they would never play baseball again. But they did win the last game and the field did not gat bulldozed over and thy cheered a lot. Over all it wasn't a bad book for little kid.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball
The book I read was "The Boy Who Saved Baseball." I really loved this book because baseball is my favorite sport. This book is about a boy named Tom who has to win a game or else his town will be gone, trashed, and bulldozed. However, the team did win an exciting game by the score of 5-4. This book will open your imagination. It can be for anybody who loves sports or baseball. I give this a 5 star. ***** I think this book is appropriate for 6-8 grades.

Best Book Ever!
An exciting book that I could read over and over again.
If you like sports, this is the book for you. It describes baseball, and thrills you to the last page. One can really picture what was happening in one's imagination, it felt as if I was playing the game right there in Dillontown. ... Read more

Book Description

To look at Oscar Westerwit, you might think, Hey, just another New York City squirrel. Only thing is, you'd be wrong. . . .

For Oscar, life is good in New York City in the year 1900. He's the Mayor of Central Park -- the greatest place on earth for the squirrels, chipmunks, mice, and other animals who live there. He's the manager of his baseball team, the Central Park Green Sox, and shortstop, too. What could be bad?

Plenty, that's what! Big Daddy Duds, jewel thief, all-round thug, and leader of rats, is about to invade the park with five hundred of his closest friends. And when he does, the other animals who live there will be turned out of their homes. Everyone looks to the Mayor to save them, but he may not even be able to save himself from the invaders.   The Mayor of Central Park is a rich and fragrant evocation of old New York, with a community of animals who are as lively as characters in a Damon Runyon story, brought to life in a blend of humor and heartbreak that is vintage Avi.

Reviews (1)

fairly good story
The setting of this book takes place in 1900.The main character in the book is Oscar Westerwit, a squirrel who loves baseball and Broadway musicals.He heads up a team of animals to over come a gangster rat named Big Daddy Duds who ties to bring trouble to the park area.Find out if their plan works in The Mayor Of Central Park!


The book was easy and fun to read.


The characters in the book are animals.Children enjoy animal stories most of the time. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Learning to face adversity even after a war's end
Ken's father spent WWII in the Minidoka Japanese-American Internment Camp in Idaho. Ken, the author was raised in Seattle. Shorty is stuck in the barracks without friends, surrounded by noise and boredom. No one has anything to do. His dad sees verves fraying and has an idea, Build a baseball diamond and organize games. The men make the diamond, the women improvise the uniforms. Games are scheduled under the gaze of the guard towers. Shorty scores a big hit under nervous angry pressure. After the war, he continues to be taunted, but learns self respect under the pressure of adversity. The benefit from this book, is that there is no whitewash. It is honest, and yes, he was called Shorty, cuz life is like that.

Amazing
This book is an amazing resource for teaching students about the inequalities that took place during WWII. It is a reality check to all of those who stood by and watched their fellow friends and neighbors as they were forced to leave their homes and be placed in internment camps in Hawaii. This is not just a gut check. This book served to illustrate how the simple things in life can mean everything. This book receives my highest rating and is first rate with teachers everywhere.

Kid's Eye View of Japanese Camps, Being an Outsider
I read this to my "just-turned 8" year old son who really identified with the kid as "odd man out." The story both communicates what it was like to be in a Japanese internment camp from a kid's perspective, and communicates how it feels to be an outsider (a feeling I'm sure every child has felt some time) by talking about baseball and being the "littlest" and physically different kid. A nice, serious story with a smile at the end.

Our Thoughts
Our 4th grade class at Lamar Elementary in Arkansas thought the book was very interesting. Especially interesting was the information on the Japanese-Americans being taken to the camps. We felt that the book was sad because they had to go to camps. We also thought it was neat because it tells about the past and history that we never knew before. This book tells a lot of history. It was a two thumbs up!
We didn't know about the Japanese kept as hostages.

A really moving book.
This book tells the story of a boy inside an internment camp during WWII. It deals with a lot of feelings, yet shows how determined the detainees were to survive and create an acceptable life for themselves. The story demonstrates that one must continue to strive for a good life even when conditions hold little promise for happiness. ... Read more

Book Description

On April 15, 1947, Jackie Robinson stepped onto Ebbets Field as a Brooklyn Dodger and changed American baseball forever.

The first black man to play in the white major leagues, he had the courage to confront racism and fight for the rights of all black people, on and off the baseball diamond. He shattered the color barrier, and with tremendous skill and determination, he became not only one of the most legendary baseball players of all time, but also a great American hero.

Half a century later, Jackie Robinson's extraordinary story remains an important contribution to America's favorite pastime and to American history. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Stealing home
I think this book is the best because it tell`s how hard it had to be if you were black and what they go through. Jackie Robinson was one of the best player. When Jackie Robinson hit a homerun sometimes they would call it a foul ball or a singel. Not all the time they would call it a homerun. I hope you read this book because you will really see how it would be to walk in the shoes of Jakie Robinson.

Stealing home: The Story of Jackie Robinson
This book opened the eyes of 25 fifth graders to a world they new little or nothing about. I used it as a read aloud in my classroom, with outstanding sucess. The kids loved it. "Stealing Home" tells the story of Robinson, from his childhood in Pasedena, CA where his was the only black family in an all-white neighborhood, through college at UCLA and on into his career. Barry Denenberg, the author, recreates Jackie's life in a way that keeps the reader's interest throughout. In fact, this biography reads a little like a novel. In telling the story of Robinson, Denenberg also paints a portrait of all-black baseball leagues, the pressures faced as the first black man in established white baseball, and an America that excluded a huge portion of its citizens. This background is essential to young readers' ability to comprehend the true story, to be able to appreciate what Mr. Robinson faced in his career and life. However, Denenberg also focuses on the good relationships he had with his wife, Rachel, and Branch Rickey the man who took a chance and gave us one of the best players in history. "Stealing Home" is the story of Jackie Robinson, but it is also the story of the civil rights movement and of the diversification of American sports in a way that made our country richer and wiser. ... Read more

Book Description

Like every other kid in his class, Joe Stoscack has to write a report on an African American who's made an important contribution to society. Unlike every other kid in his class, Joe has a special talent: with the help of old baseball cards, he can travel through time. So for his report, Joe decides to go back to meet one of the greatest baseball players ever, Jackie Robinson, to find out what it was like to be the man who broke baseball's color barrier. Joe plans on writing a prize-winning report. But he doesn't plan on a trip that will for a short time change the color of his skin -- and forever change his view of history and his definition of

01-02 Golden Sower Award Masterlist (YA Cat.) and 00 Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Book Award (Intermed. Cat.)

Reviews (16)

Jackie & Me
For my book report I chose to read a book about Jackie Robinson. This book was entitled Jackie & Me, written by Dan Gutman.

In this book's introduction, Joe Stoshack explains that he has a very special talent. When Joe holds a baseball card in his hands he can travel back in time. Later in the book, this talent becomes very useful when Joe has to write a history report on an African-American who made the world a better place. For his report, Joe decides to go back in time to meet Jackie Robinson. He wanted to meet Jackie because he loved sports and knew a great deal about baseball. Joe also wanted to understand what it felt like to be the first black man in professional baseball.

Joe leaves Louisville, Kentucky, and is transported back into Jackie's time. He soon arrives in front of Macy's in New York, on April 14th, 1947 and finds he has become black. Joe was soon introduced to Jackie. Joe was invited to sleep on Jackie's couch because Joe helped a good friend of Jackie's after he had been attacked with a broken bottle. Eventually, Joe is accidentally made a batboy for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson's team. At first, Joe was nervous and scared that he was a black kid. He was treated badly by the white boys. He soon learned how difficult it was to be a black person, and how badly it feels to be made fun of for being black.

Joe soon understands the pain and frustration Jackie felt being a black man among all white team-mates. Jackie was sent threatening letters, called bad names, and treated very rudely and unkindly. Jackie Robinson was brave and strong, he refused to fight back and he refused to quit. The other players didn't want to be Jackie's friend, and they often ignored him altogether. One day, Pee Wee Reese started joking with Jackie. During the baseball game, Reese put his arm around Jackie and the crowd gasped in shock because it was the first time a white player had shown affection for a black player.

[...]Joe wrote a very informative and sensitive report about Jackie Robinson. He explained all the discrimination and segregation that Jackie had to endure. Joe learned that Jackie was a talented, dignified, and an honorable ball player, who eventually became well liked, admired, and respected.

Great combination of baseball fantasy and history
With Jackie and Me, Dan Gutman has improved upon the idea he started with Honus and Me. Joe Stoshack is still travelling through time via baseball cards, but for this book he experiences one of the great events of the 20th Century: Jackie Robinson breaking the baseball color barrier. Gutman also presents Robinson as a great role model for Joe and real kids like him who have trouble understanding that real strength is often shown through the ability to ignore ignorance, or by confronting it with talent and truth instead of fists.

Jackie and Me
Tim Young
Jackie and Me
A Baseball Bananza Dan Gutman 2000

The book is adout a kid named Joe who is sent back to the 1947 and meets Jackie
Robinson. He travles with Jackie by beighing the Dodgers bat boy. this book is great and you wont want to put it down.
When Joe is going through time he wakes up as an african american and in the 1940s they are not beighing treated fairley. This book also points out that even though Jackie is a pro ball player,people still look down on him. this book has a biography and a kids book in one. I give this book an 8 out of 10.

Jackie and Me
I am 10 years old and I like to read sports books.One of the best sports books ever that I have ever read is is Jackie and Me.This book is about a kid who goes back to 1947 to see Jackie Robinson. When Joe went back to 1947 to see Jackie Robinson it was the year that he broke the color barrier.Read this book to see if Joe and Jackie becomes friends.I liked this book because it is a sports book and I like Jackie Robinson.I could never put the book down because it was so awesome.

DAN GUTMAN, YOU ROCK!!
Jackie & Me is a great book, combining sports with going back in time. I like how the pictures look like photographs. Like I said, DAN GUTMAN, YOU ROCK!! ... Read more

Book Description

When Joe Stoshack hears about Shoeless Joe Jackson -- and the gambling scandal that destroyed the star player's career -- he knows what he has to do. If he travels back in time with a 1919 baseball card in his hand, he just might be able to prevent the infamous Black Sox Scandal from ever taking place. And if he could do that, Shoeless Joe Jackson would finally take his rightful place in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

But can Stosh prevent that tempting envelope full of money from making its way to Shoeless Joe's hotel room before the big game?

Reviews (9)

SHOELESS JOE AND ME
This book rocked so much it was the best book i've ever read!!! It was my favorite book of all times. I did a report on this book and got a A. This book tells a lot of facts about the "Black Sox Scandle" It is helpful for trus facts. I would give this ten stars if I could.

Shoeless Joe Jackson and Me
Shoeless Joe Jackson and Me is a great book written by Dan Gutman. It is a story about a boy named Stosh who can travel back into time using baseball cards. He learns the story about the White Sox scandal with 9 players who got kicked out of baseball for throwing the World Series. He tries to go back into time to the 1920's and stop Shoeless Joe Jackson player for the Chicago White Sox, from throwing the World Series. This book has great detail and really shows how it was in the 1920's. This is a great time travel book, and I would recommend this book to any one that likes a good thrill. You might know some other books written by Dan Gutman, like Honus and Me, Jackie and Me, and Babe and Me . I hope you check out some of the other great books that Dan Gutman has written.

"Shoeless Joe & Me" is an awesome book!
"Shoeless Joe & Me" is awesome. You might want to read ten chapters a day, so that on the third day, you'll be at my favorite part of the story. When you start Chapter 1, it's nothing like you would expect. Don't you think it would be eleven chapters or something? Well, you already know it's not eleven because I'm talking about Chapter 21. The book has 24 chapters, but it doesn't seem too long because it is so much fun to read.

Baseball fans will like this book because it is 100% about baseball. I learned that Joe Jackson had the the one and only homer in the whole 1919 World Series. I also learned that after the 1919 World Series, he got thrown out of baseball, but he didn't stop playing. I think he played in a different league, and everyone was noticing him!

I'm going to read...ummmmm..."Jackie and Me" next!

You must read/buy this book !!!!
This an amzing book with an intresting end. I read this book in the car for 5 days. I read it 2 hours a day. At first I just read 5 to 6 pages a day Monday. But after that I couldn't put it down!! ... My teacher also read us Jackie and Me which I would also rate 5 stars!! I'm now trying to get Honus and Me, Babe and Me, and Mickey and Me. I made myself ONLY read it in the car it gave me something to do in the car. I am 10 and I think this book should be for 7 and a half to 13 year olds. Get this or check it out today!! Some other books you will like if you liked or are intrested in Shoeless Joe and Me are: Fever 1793 for ages 9-15 it is a very good book too! The School Story ages 7-13 this is a REALLY GOOD BOOK by Andrew Clements!!!! And last but not least A Week In The Woods and The Laudry News both by Andrew Clemtents too ( a week in the woods ages 9-14 The Landry News 8-12). I hope you pick up this book and the others I recomended today!! today!! As you can see many others like this book to!! I hope my
review helped you a lot!! And thank-you for reading my review. (All other books I reviewed are my favorites 5 stars, 4 stars, and 4 and a half stars). 2 other good books are Dear Whiskers ages 7-10 4 and a half stars and Lizzie At Last ages 8-14 5 stars. Any American Girl Doll or Amelia or even other types are also great for girls 7-12. Thanks again!!!!!

This Book Rocks
I got this book on easter and knew from the start that it was going to be good. If you like adventurous, mysterious, exiting, and sports like books read Shoeless Joe and me. Best of all it's aseries so if you like it you can keep on going! ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Baseball's Biggest Bloopers The Games That Got Away
I read the book Baseball's Biggest Bloopers The Games That Got Away by Dan Gutman. This book was about players that blew it big time! Many of thwe games lost the World Series for the team. But somtimes it just lost the game and the team came back and won the Series. In this book there are 12 humiliating stories that will make even you, fell bad for the players. My favorite story was Herb Washington Designated Pick-Off Victim. It was about an olympic runner that was taken to the Oakland A's. When he got to the Statdium he didn't even know how to play baseball, and teh A's tought him how to paly and then n one game he got picked-off. I would recommend this book to anyone that likes baseball or any sports.

A must for baseball fans
Baseball is a tough sport to play sometimes. Many times players make mistakes called bloopers. These bloopers you see in almost every game. Sometimes they cost a regular game, a pennant, or to make it worse the world series! This book has tons of it. It talks about players who mess up the game so bad they have the rest of their life to think what they did wrong! You will enjoy this book so much that once you done reading, you can't stop! So buy this book. It's called Baseballs biggest bloopers the games that got away. This will be one of the greatest baseball books you will ever get! ... Read more

Book Description

When Joe Stoshack's dad ends up in the hospital after a car accident, he has two words to say to his son: Mickey Mantle. For Stosh has a special power -- with a baseball card in hand, he can travel back in time. And his dad has a rare card -- Mantle's valuable 1951 rookie card. "I've been thinking about it for a long time. Go back to 1951. You're the only one who can do it," Dad whispers.

That night Stosh grips the card and prepares for another magical adventure. But when he opens his eyes, he's not in Yankee Stadium -- he's in Milwaukee on June 8, 1944. And how he wound up there is not half as surprising as what he finds!

Reviews (2)

Mickey and Me
This was a great book! It started out sad. Then Joe's dad asked him to go back in time to save Mickey Mantle. Instead of ending up in Yankee Stadium watching a game-Joe ended up in Borchert Field watching the Milwaukee Chicks play! It was a very good book. I will read Babe and Me next.

The Best Of The Series
I read all the "...and Me" books and this one was definitely the best. It had the biggest plot twist in the series that REALLY surprised me. ...