Baseball Books

Brooks, Bruce – Throwing Smoke

When his teammates on the Breadhurst Newts baseball team continue their losing ways, Whiz uses an unusual printing press to create several star players in hopes of winning a game. AR

Carter, Alden – Bull Catcher

Pete and Jeff continue their friendship and love of baseball as they progress from ninth grade through high school in their small Wisconsin town.

Chabon, Michael – Summerland

When Summerland, an area known for its perfect weather and controlled by tiny beings known as ferishers, is threatened by an ancient enemy, they enlist the aid of baseball player Ethan Feld, who sets out to vanquish giants, goblins, and a magical ball club. AR

Deuker, Carl – Heart of a Champion

Baseball is the glue that holds Seth and Jimmy's friendship together. Will Jimmy throw away his natural talents and his future, or can Seth help him? AR

Deuker, Carl – Painting the Black

When star athlete Josh Daniels moves in across the street, Remy Ward doesn't realize how much his life will change during his senior year at Seattle's Crown Hill High. AR

Feinstein, John – Change Up: Mystery at the World Series

While covering baseball's World Series between the Washington Nationals and the Boston Red Sox, teenage sports reporters Stevie and Susan Carol investigate a rookie pitcher whose evasive answers during an interview reveal more than a few contradictions in his life story. AR

Gaetz, Dayle Campbell – No Problem

Curt has it all: friends, summer job, a promising career in baseball; then he begins experimenting with drugs.

Gantos, Jack – Joey Pigza Loses Control

Joey, who is still taking medication to keep him from getting too wired, goes to spend the summer with the hard-drinking father he has never known and tries to help the baseball team he coaches win the championship. AR

Gratz, Alan – The Brooklyn Nine : A Novel in Nine Innings

Follows the fortunes of a German immigrant family through nine generations, beginning in 1845, as they experience American life and play baseball. AR

Gratz, Alan – Samurai Shortstop

While obtaining a Western education at a prestigious Japanese boarding school in 1890, sixteen-year-old Toyo also receives traditional samurai training which has profound effects on both his baseball game and his relationship with his father. AR

Haven, Paul – Two Hot Dogs With Everything

Although everyone credits him and his superstitions for the Sluggers' first winning streak in 108 baseball seasons, eleven-year-old Danny Gurkin believes that his discovery of a secret from the team's past may be the real reason behind the ball club's success. AR

Hughes, Dean – Team Picture

Trying to hold on to the new-found stability in his life in a foster home, thirteen-year-old David worries about the growing moodiness of his guardian Paul and the fluctuating fortunes of his Pony League baseball team. AR

Jennings, Patrick – Out Standing in My Field

Fifth-grader Ty Cutter, named after baseball great Ty Cobb, has lots of enthusiasm for the game but very little talent, which makes life difficult for him and his father, who is coach of Ty's team. AR

Johnson, Scott – Safe at Second

Paulie Lockwood's best friend Todd Bannister is destined for the major leagues until a line drive to the head causes him to lose an eye and they both must find a new future for themselves. AR

Lord, Betty Bao – In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

In 1947, a Chinese child comes to Brooklyn, where she starts to feel at home and make friends when she discovers baseball and the Brooklyn Dodgers. AR

Lupica, Mike – Heat

Pitching prodigy Michael Arroyo is on the run from social services after being banned from playing Little League baseball because rival coaches doubt he is only twelve years old and he has no parents to offer them proof. AR

Lupica, Mike – The Big Field

When fourteen-year-old baseball player Hutch feels threatened by the arrival of a new teammate named Darryl, he tries to work through his insecurities about both Darryl and his remote and silent father, who was once a great ballplayer too. AR

Lynch, Chris – Gold Dust

In 1975, twelve-year-old Richard befriends Napolean, a Caribbean newcomer to his Catholic school, hoping that Napolean will learn to love baseball and the Red Sox, and will win acceptance in the racially polarized Boston school. AR

Myers, Walter Dean – The Journal of Biddy Owens

Teenager Biddy Owens' 1948 journal about working for the Birmingham Black Barons includes the games and the players, racism the team faces from New Orleans to Chicago, and his family's resistance to his becoming a professional baseball player.

Namioka, Lensey – Yang the Youngest and His Terrible Ear

Recently arrived in Seattle from China, musically untalented Yingtao is faced with giving a violin performance to attract new students for his father when he would rather be working on friendships and playing baseball. AR

Peck, Robert Newton – Extra Innings

After a tragic airplane crash that claims the lives of most of his family, sixteen-year-old Tate goes to live with his wealthy great-grandfather and his adopted black great-aunt Vidalia and he finds unexpected solace in the stories of her childhood spent traveling with a Depression-era Negro baseball team. AR

Ritter, John – The Boy Who Saved Baseball

The fate of a small California town rests on the outcome of one baseball game, and Tom Gallagher hopes to lead his team to victory with the secrets of the now disgraced player, Dante Del Gato. AR

Ritter, John – Under the Baseball Moon

Andy and Glory, two fifteen-year-olds from Ocean Beach, California, pursue their respective dreams of becoming a famous musician and a professional softball player. AR

Ritter, John – Over the Wall

Thirteen-year-old Tyler, who has a problem with anger, spends a summer with his cousins in New York City, playing baseball and sorting out his feelings about the Vietnam war that took his grandfather's life. AR

Scaletta, Kurtis – Mudville

For twenty-two years, since a fateful baseball game against their rival town, it has rained in Moundville, so when the rain finally stops, twelve-year-old Roy, his friends, and foster brother Sturgis dare to face the curse and form a team. AR