Double Play at Short (Classics Series) [Paperback]

Matt Christopher (Author), Karen Meyer (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1997 | Grade Level: P and up | Series: Classics Series (Book 52)

Twelve-year-old Danny thinks that there is something very familiar about the girl who plays shortstop on the team he faces during the championship series, and his curiosity leads him to a surprising discovery about his own adoption.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6?Danny Walker, 12, was adopted as an infant. When he notices something familiar about Tammy Aiken, a girl playing shortstop on a rival team, he studies her and even takes photos of her on the field. Finally, Danny's mother reveals that he has a twin sister who was adopted by another family, and that they have just moved back into a nearby town. Christopher does his typically good job of describing the baseball play-by-play. However, he peppers this far-fetched plot with clues that are about as subtle as a ton of bricks. Readers will find it implausible that Tammy would not only move back in town, but also end up playing shortstop, the same position as Danny on a rival baseball team. Also unbelievable is the fact that he would notice other similarities between himself and the girl?batting with the same left-handed stance and having the same grin. When Danny finally blurts out the truth to his twin, she is shocked. Readers will be just as incredulous at the idea that Tammy's adoptive parents never believed the children would meet when they moved back into the area. Die-hard fans of Christopher may want to read this one, but it's not one of his most memorable books.?Blair Christolon, Prince William Library, Manassas, VA
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-6. Twelve-year-old shortstop Danny Walker feels he is a sure bet for the all-star team, until he meets Tammy Aiken, the new shortstop for the opposition. Like Danny, Tammy is a great player, but other similarities (both have red hair, a similar stance, and field right-handed but bat left-handed) make Danny uneasy. When further investigation reveals that both are adopted and share the same birthday, Danny becomes convinced that the two are twins, separated at birth. While the long-lost twins subplot offers few surprises, the outcome of the baseball series will hold the reader's interest, and Christopher's unusual ending (in which both twins are able to walk away as winners) will satisfy sports fans. The inclusion of so many female players is a bonus. Kay Weisman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (April 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316142018
• ISBN-13: 978-0316142014
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.4 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #306,670 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #33 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Christopher, Matt

More About the Author

Matthew F. Christopher was born on August 16, 1917, in Bath, Pa. He was the oldest of nine children and a talented athlete, playing baseball, football and soccer in high school. He became interested in writing at the age of 14 and in 1940 had his first story published in a detective magazine. He began writing children's books in the mid 1950's with the publication of THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT (Little, Brown and Company).

Christopher became well-known for his sports fiction novels for children with over 130 titles bearing his name. He was awarded numerous writing honors from state organizations as well as the 1993 Milner Award. Besides books, he had about 275 short stories and articles published in over 65 children and adult magazines over the years. He is considered America's best selling sports book author.

Matt Christopher and his wife Cay were the parents of four children and the grandparents of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He died in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Double Play At Short, May 10, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Double Play at Short (Classics Series) (Paperback)

I think the book Double Play At Short was a very good book. Matt Christopher is the author of this book, he writes many sports books. This was a book I couldn't put down because I was curious of what was going to happen next.The characters were just like people I know. They acted the same way and had the same hobbies. This book is about a kid named Danny. He makes it to the championship series of his baseball league when he gets very mysterious of someone on the other team. He takes pictures of her and does a lot more to figure out who she is. If you read this book, you will find out what happens next. I think this book would be a very good book for any ages to read, whether it's an adult or kid. That's how much I think other people would enjoy this boook as much as I did.

4.0 out of 5 stars It was a GREAT book, May 2, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Double Play at Short (Classics Series) (Paperback)

I liked the story about a boy who plays baseball and encounters a girl. He has many similarities and he wants to find out more about her. His mom tells him that she is his twin and his mom died at birth. The boy's team faces his sister in the championship. His sister knows that they are twins and they both play ther best and he and his sister have a geat time after the game.

4.0 out of 5 stars It was a GREAT book, May 2, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Double Play at Short (Classics Series) (Paperback)

I liked the story because of a boy who plays baseball and encounters a girl. Ho has many similarities and he wants to find out more about her. His mom tells him that she is his twin and his mom died at birth. The boy's team faces his sister in the championship. His sister knows that they are twins and they both play ther best and he and his sister have a geat time after the game.