The Kid from Tomkinsville (Paperback)

by John R. Tunis (Author) "The train stood still..." (more)
Key Phrases: clubhouse porch, bat level, coaching lines, Fat Stuff, Harry Street, Dave Leonard (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A wonderful, timeless story that is entertaining while also addressing the problems of professional sports."--The Boston Sunday Globe

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Description

Right before the serious accident that ends his dream of pitching, Roy Tucker is called up from a small-town team in Connecticut to help the Brooklyn Dodgers out of a slump. Introduction by Bruce Brooks.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (August 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152425675
• ISBN-13: 978-0152425678
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #665,694 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best sports books ever, July 26, 2001

By	Charles Ashbacher "([e-mail])" (Marion, Iowa United States([e-mail])) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)

When I was in junior high, I was addicted to reading juvenile sports fiction. Shortly after beginning seventh grade, I went to the alphabetical beginning of the fiction section in the school library and began moving down the alphabet. As I went, I examined the books and read all that were sports related. In a little over two years, I had read every sports fiction book in the collection. Of all those books, the Kid From Tomkinsville was one of the most memorable.
While the background of the 1940's made the presentation difficult for someone in their early teens in the 1960’s, the descriptions of baseball more than made up for it. Roy Tucker is the title character and an excellent pitcher. However, immediately after one of his best games, he slips and cracks his pitching elbow. This finishes him as a pitcher and the main theme becomes his quest to come back as an outfielder.
He is initially very effective and believes success is assured. However, he soon begins to struggle and doubts creep in. The description of all of this is a combination of one of the best baseball stories as well as one of triumph as a combination of talent, hard work and persistence lead to his success. I still remember the scene where his manager comes to his room and tells him the problem is that he is playing for himself and not for his team.
John Tunis is one of the best writers of sports fiction that has ever lived. He makes baseball exciting, even when all the action is taking place off the field. While our society has moved on to a point quite different from the time period of the story, baseball is still a game where strategy, preparation and dedication can triumph over athletic ability. That has not changed, and the descriptions in this book will continue to keep the attention of baseball fans for decades to come.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the great baseball books, June 9, 2000

By A Customer

I read this book the first time back in the mid-80's in high school. I had a burgeoning love of baseball and fell deeply in love with Tunis' works. The point I got from this story is that there is always another door to get to your dream.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible!, August 8, 2000

A Kid's Review

I was hardly a baseball fan at all when I began this book. Now baseball is one of my greatest loves. This book is terrific! Whether you love baseball or not you'll be pulled in as Roy-the main character-tries to overcome a freak injury and rejoin the Brooklyn Dodgers.