From Publishers Weekly
Slote skillfully blends comedy, suspense and baseball in a highly entertaining tale. Jason, 11, has just been cut from his Little League baseball team: he concentrates too much on baseball cards and not enough on the actual game. Mack Henry, the custodian at Jason's former school, surprisingly gives the boy some pointers and tells him about the game's earlier days. As Jason investigates further, he discovers a card for Buck McHenry, a great 1930s pitcher who retired early from baseball and worked as a school janitor in Michigan. Jason is convinced that Mack must be Buck McHenry; the man finally admits his identity, but asks the youngster to keep it a secret. Jason breaks his promise, however, by telling Aaron, Mr. Henry's grandson. Appealing characters, lively dialogue and animated baseball descriptions convey the game's rich history and vivid spirit in a story that addresses the importance of family, friendship and respect for others. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-- Jason Ross, a mediocre Little League catcher but avid baseball card collector, is convinced that a local school janitor named Mack Henry is actually a famous pitcher from the Negro Leagues. Jason pressures Mr. Henry into admitting that he is indeed Buck McHenry and talks him into coaching a newly formed team. Things start to unravel, however, when a television sportscaster gets wind of the story, and Jason learns that Mr. Henry has been lying. The novel suffers from some slowness of plot and drawn-out scenes. (It takes approximately 200 pages to describe about 10 hours of action.) And Mr. Henry's false admission to being Buck McHenry is never satisfactorily explained. However, Jason's discovery of the Negro Leagues may lead readers to learn more about the shameful long-term segregation of baseball. This element gives the book a thoughtful perspective that many sports books never achieve--or even attempt, for that matter. So, despite a loosely constructed, improbable plot, this novel does have some likable characters, a bit of a mystery, and an element of seriousness. These features combine to make the book a welcome addition to sports fiction collections. --Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
