To continue our monthly series of book lists for youth, the Washington Talking Book & Braille Library would like to recommend the following titles.
August, 2007 -- Sports Fiction
Mr. Baseball by William H. Hooks. A Little Leaguer wishes his baseball-loving five-year-old brother weren't quite so enthusiastic. P-2. Large print book LP 15040.
Casey at the Bat by Ernest Lawrence Thayer. In this classic poem, it's down to the last inning of a losing game when the mighty Casey steps up to bat. K-3. Cassette book RC 33552.
Play Ball, Amelia Bedelia by Peggy Parish. Amelia translates things literally. What will happen when she's asked to steal bases or run home during a game? K-3. Braille book BR 10144. Cassette book RC 40197. Large print book LP 13506.
Sports Stories You'll Have a Ball With edited by Reading Rainbow. Seven short stories about kids and sports taken from Reading Rainbow segments. K-3. Braille book BR 14337.
Centerfield Ballhawk by Matt Chistopher. It seems so unfair that his sister has inherited their father's homerun skills, while Jose has not. Grades 2-4. Cassette book RC 12240.
Dear Ichiro by Jean Davies Okimoto. Henry's grandfather takes him to a Seattle Mariners game, where he cheers for Ichiro Suzuki and Kazuhiro Sasaki. Grades 2-4. Cassette book CBA 7487.
The Losers Fight Back by Barbara M. Joosse. Lucy and Willie are determined to prove that their team shouldn't be called “The Losers”. With advice from Willie's detective partner, they figure out how to become winners. Part of the Wild Willie Mystery series. Grades 2-4. Cassette book RC 52476.
Secret Weapon by Stephanie Peters. Lisa, who is small for her age, has trouble playing soccer until the coach devises a plan to turn her into a valuable fullback. Book #3 in the Soccer Cats series. Grades 2-4. Cassette book RC 57861.
The Boonsville Bombers by Alison Cragen Herzog. When Emme retrieves the ball from Owen Zabriskie's 3,000th hit, she wonders if she might be able to exchange it for a place on her brother's 6th grade team. Grades 3-6. Cassette book RC 38376.
The Kid Coach by Fred Bowen. After their baseball coach quits, the team decides that Scott can coach and play at the same time, but things don't go as smoothly as they'd hoped. Grades 3-6. Braille book BR 13567. Cassette book RC 5268.
Soccer Sam by Jean Marzallo. Sam's cousin is visiting him for a whole year. He teaches Sam and his friends the sport he loves best - soccer! Grades 3-6. Large print book LP 13197.
Wrongway Applebaum by Marjorie Lewis. Because Stan has a hard time remembering - especially directions - he's only allowed onto the 5th-grade baseball team after his grandmother agrees to coach him. He'd desperately like to earn his teammates' respect. Grades 3-6. Cassette book RC 27094.
Cairo Kelly and the Mann by Fred Bowen. Cairo and Midge are always in trouble for their pranks, but when they learn that their favorite umpire can't read, they decide it's time to get serious. Grades 4-7. Braille book BR 15093. Cassette book RC 57092.
Heartbeat by Sharon Creech. When everything in her life seems to be changing, Annie can at least count on the rhythm of her running to be a comforting presence. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 62114. Large print book LP 20606.
Joey Pigza Loses Control by Jack Gantos. On a visit to his dad's, Joey's life, including his pitching skills, are turned upside down when his dad convinces him to stop taking his hyperactivity medication. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 51237. Large print book LP 22900.
Honus and Me by Dan Gutman. Shortly after finding a valuable baseball card, Joe discovers that when he holds it, he can travel back in time to the player's games. First in the Baseball Card Adventure series. Grades 4-7. Cassette book CBA 6818.
Penalty Shot by Matt Christopher. Now that he has a tutor, Jeff's grades are no longer standing in his way, but someone is resorting to dirty tricks to keep him off the hockey team. Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 45363.
Spike It! by Paul Mantell. It's bad enough that Jamie has to share her father and her bedroom with her new stepsister, but now Michaela is outshining her on the volleyball court too! Grades 4-7. Cassette book RC 56635.
Wheel Wizards by Matt Christopher. Now that he's in a wheelchair and can't play basketball, Seth is convinced that his life is over. An amazing wheelchair team makes him see things differently. Grades 4-7. Braille book BRW 910. Cassette book RC 53573.
Summerland by Michael Chabon. Although his baseball skills are pretty poor, 11-year-old Ethan is the one recruited to head the effort to save the Summerlands by defeating a team of magical creatures. Grade 5 and up. Braille book BR 14395. Cassette book RC 54987. Large print book LP 19703.
The Toilet Paper Tigers by Gordon Korman. The Tigers not only have to put up with an incompetent coach, but with the man's pushy granddaughter as well. Grades 5-8. Cassette book RC 42948.
The Boy Who Saved Baseball by John H. Ritter. Only winning one particular baseball game will save a small California town from developers. A disgraced player and a mysterious stranger give 12-year-old Tom Gallagher winning tips. Grade 6 and up. Braille book BR 15146. Cassette book RC 56513.
Tangerine by Edward Bloor. Paul's parents are so focused on his older brother's football triumphs that they fail to notice his darker qualities. As Paul develops his skills on the soccer field despite his coke-bottle glasses, he keeps out of his brother's way in the present, and tries to remember what really happened in the past. Braille book BRW 1058. Cassette book RC 46159.
To order these books and others like these, use the link to the "On-line Catalog (OPAC)" at www.wtbbl.org. Order these books or use keyword search or subject search to find more like these. You can limit your search by reading level and/or material format.
Link to previous Recommended Reads.