Martin is new to the neighborhood, and wants to make a good impression on his new teammates. But when he loses his lucky baseball bat, Martin fears that he has also lost his ability to play baseball. Will Martin be able to continue his winning streak without the bat?
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About the Author
Matt Christopher is the best-selling name behind more than 120 sports books for young readers.
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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.
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.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A tale of simpler, less hectic days,
By KidsReads (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Lucky Baseball Bat: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (Matt Christopher Sports Fiction) (Paperback)
After reading the first couple of chapters of THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT, I had to go back to the copyright page to see just when this book was written. After all, the hero of the story, a young boy named Martin and his younger sister Jeannie are invited into the house of Barry Welton, a teenager they had just met after Martin had an unfortunate incident on the ball field that left him sad and disillusioned.Can you imagine something like this being written in 2004, without sinister consequences? But a brief look indicated that this engaging story was written in 1954; it has been re-released by Little, Brown to celebrate the Golden Anniversary of the first offering of the prolific children's author Matt Christopher. Indeed, reading THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT is like stepping into a time warp, similar to viewing an episode of "Leave it to Beaver" or "Father Knows Best." If only we could enjoy those simpler days again, when parents didn't have to worry (as much) about the intentions of strangers; when kids were grateful for small pleasures, such as succeeding in sports, without the distractions of television, computers, or other impediments to childhood. Martin's depiction, as well as the exposition of his family's relationship, is so foreign to modern sensibilities (unfortunately so) that Christopher could well have written his debut book in 1854. Even the simple illustrations by Robert Henneberger denote an era long gone, before manga became the dominant expression artwork directed at young people. Martin is the new kid in town, anxious to prove himself on the diamond. First impressions get him off to a poor start until Barry, a star athlete, gives him one of his old bats, which transforms the youngster into a hitting machine and helps change the minds of his formerly ambivalent teammates. When the bat is broken during a game, Martin, with the help of some other newfound friends, learns that the power lies within him, not in a piece of wood. The lesson seems obvious in today's know-it-all world, but it still has a certain charm, at least to people of a certain age. Indeed, parents (and grandparents) might find this tale more enjoyable than their offspring. Progress has offered kids and their families vast opportunities. Still, there's something to be said for the simple pleasures of a less hectic period. --- Reviewed by Ron Kaplan (ronk23@aol.com)
13 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Sportsy boys with lower reading skills will enjoy this one,
By A Reading Teacher (Kansas City) - See all my reviews
This review is from: The Lucky Baseball Bat: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (Matt Christopher Sports Fiction) (Paperback)
Good book to use as first chapter book with boys reading (instructionally) at early third grade level. The names are kind of outdated, but it's hard to find a real book at lower reading levels. This one fills the bill.
7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GREAT BOOK!,
This review is from: The Lucky Baseball Bat: 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition (Matt Christopher Sports Fiction) (Paperback)
This book is perfect for the little ones into baseball!! My sons both wanted to keep reading chapter after chapter! It is such a warm, loving story with great values!
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Inside This Book
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First Sentence:
MARVIN bit his slip and mopped his damp forehead with a grimy handkerchief. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
own bat Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jim Cassell, Barry Welton, World Series, Grasshoppers League, Kenny Stokes, Rick Savora, Jerry Walker New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
MARVIN bit his slip and mopped his damp forehead with a grimy handkerchief. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
own bat Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Jim Cassell, Barry Welton, World Series, Grasshoppers League, Kenny Stokes, Rick Savora, Jerry Walker New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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