<p>From School Library Journal:  Grade 5-8-This novel goes beyond the usual baseball story by introducing the deeper issue of big developers encroaching upon nature and small-town life in rural California. Doc Altenheimer, an 87-year-old apple rancher, seems to be ready to sell his 320 acres of prime real estate that makes up a good part of Dillontown and its baseball field. He surprises young Tom and the rest of the residents by proposing that the decision should ride on a baseball game between the locals and the well-equipped summer-camp team down the road. Despite the odds against Dillontown, a surprise ending is in store. Characters are colorful and intriguing. There is the villainous mayor who believes there will be great prosperity if new roads and expensive houses are built. A mysterious boy, Cruz de la Cruz, arrives on horseback claiming to know the secret of hitting, and brings hope and spirit back to the residents. He and Tom seek out an old baseball legend, Dante Del Gato, a recluse who walked away from the majors many years before, and convince him to be their coach. Ritter's descriptive passages will have readers feeling they are actually at the ballpark tasting the swirling dust amid the authentic Mexican food cooked by the supportive townspeople. Spanish phrases blend in unobtrusively throughout the saga. This tale is peppered with both optimism and dilemmas; it has plenty of play-by-play action, lots of humor, and a triumphant ending.Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VACopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.</p>

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

John H. Ritter

Scholastic Books

Paperback young adult title about "The Boy Who Saved Baseball"

13-year-old Luke Bledsoe is a left-hander in a right-handed world. Moved from town to town, he's spent his life feeling like an outsider. Then, by chance, he steps on a baseball field and discovers he can pitch. But Luke's father, Reverend Bledsoe, believes that the left side is the side of Satan, and the baseball field is the Devil's playground. Luke has spent his whole life trying to please his father. Will he choose to give up the game he's come to love -- or turn his back on his family?

Choosing Up Sides

Teen & Young Adult

Perfection Learning

Andy Ramos, a freestyle skateboarding trumpeter, has dreams as big as a baseball moon. Born into a family of musicians, Andy wants to take his unique fusion of Latin jazz, rock, and hip-hop straight to the top. But when he crosses paths with Glory Martinez, a softball pitcher who has Olympic-sized dreams of her own, the mysterious fusion of their athletic and musical skills changes everything. Or is that because of the elegant but eerie man in black? "Under the Baseball Moon" is a stylistic blend of music, softball, and friends that will capture the hearts and souls of readers who marchaor skateboardato a different drum.

Under the Baseball Moon

Tom Gallagher finds himself in a tight spot. The fate of Dillontown rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. And it's all because Tom had to open his big mouth. If only he could get Dante Del Gato-the greatest hitter to ever play the game-to coach the team. But crazy ol' Del Gato hasn't spoken to folks in years, not after walking away from the game in disgrace just before his team played in its first World Series. Maybe Tom has one more hope: Cruz de la Cruz, the mysterious boy who just rode into town on horseback claiming to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Del Gato . . . 

Paw Prints 2008-04-11

Over the Wall

Literature & Fiction

The Desperado Who Stole Baseball

RECORDED BOOKS^

Fenway Fever

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by John H. Ritter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by John H. Ritter

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by John H. Ritter. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

Choosing Up Sides

Under the Baseball Moon

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

Over the Wall

The Desperado Who Stole Baseball

Fenway Fever