The Boy Who Saved Baseball

by John Ritter

Overview

Tom Gallagher is in a tight spot. The fate of the Dillontown team rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. If Tom's team loses, they lose their field too. But how can they possibly win? Just when everything seems hopeless, a mysterious boy named Cruz de la Cruz rides into town and claims to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Dante Del Gato, Dillontown's greatest hitter ever. Since he walked away from the game years ago, Del Gato hasn't spoken a word to anyone. But now he might be Tom's only hope for saving his hometown. From the award-winning author of Over the Wall and Choosing Up Sides comes this imaginative tale of one boy's struggle to preserve the spirit of the game he loves.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780142402863
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	03/17/2005
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	81,012
Product dimensions:	7.76(w) x 7.14(h) x 0.61(d)
Lexile:	660L (what's this?)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

John Ritter has written many novels and numerous short stories for Young Adult readers. His first novel, Choosing Up Sides, published in 1998, won the 1999 International Reading Association Children’s Book Award for Older Readers and was designated an American Library Association Best Book for Young Adults. Kirkus Reviews praised Choosing Up Sides, which attacked the once-prevalent views of religious fundamentalists toward left-handed children, as, “No ordinary baseball book, this is a rare first novel.”  In 2004 Ritter received the Paterson Prize for Books for Young People for his third novel, The Boy Who Saved Baseball.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

Enthralling . . . filled with memorable moments. (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

A baseball tale of legendary dimension . . . another stellar read. (Booklist, starred review)

Editorial Reviews

"Enthralling . . . filled with memorable moments."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A baseball tale of legendary dimension . . . another stellar read."—Booklist, starred review

"This tale is peppered with both optimism and dilemmas; it has plenty of play-by-play action, lots of humor, and a triumphant ending."—School Library Journal

"Readers will relate to the themes of overcoming reticence, the drive to meet an impossible challenge, and the thrill of growing into a team."—Children's Literature

From the Publisher

Anyone who believes there’s magic in baseball will find satisfaction in this inspiring story. Young Tom is a modestly skilled baseball player on a youth team. This summer they’re playing for more than a trophy. Old Doc has agreed not to sell his extensive land, which includes the baseball field--but only if the team can win the big game against the rich kids from the suburbs. Narrator Robert Ramirez voices the characters, especially the kids, with distinctive yet delicate color. Tom's vulnerable confidence and determination are brought to life. Ramirez does justice to the mixed culture of this Mexican-American border town struggling to hold onto old ways. N.M.C. © AudioFile 2004, Portland, Maine

AUG/SEP 04 - AudioFile