The Batboy

April 1, 2010
Gr 5-10-Brian's dad, a former big league pitcher, left Brian and his mom years earlier, and the boy still longs for his return. This summer, Brian has won a coveted spot as a batboy for the Detroit Tigers during home games at Comerica Park. He relishes his dream come true: hustling to complete tasks, enjoying a sleepover at the ballpark, and his front-row seat for the on-field action. On his days off, he plays on a travel team with his best friend, Kenny. Then his favorite player, Hank Bishop, returns to the Tigers following a suspension for steroid use. Bishop is stumbling at the end of his career: this is his last chance to reach a milestone 500 home runs. Brian shyly attempts to befriend his hero, but Bishop treats Brian and his teammates with frosty disdain. Lupica is at the top of his game, crafting a crisp, fast-paced novel teeming with edge-of-the-seat baseball drama. He limns his characters with well-observed detail and dialogue. Brian is a recognizable, multilayered teen; he's close to his mom, though they struggle to communicate and understand one another. Meanwhile, he learns the hard truth: "no matter how much Brian loved baseball, it was never going to make his father love him more." Though this novel will undoubtedly appeal to those who equate summer with baseball, it should also win over readers who appreciate finely crafted storytelling and engaging characters."Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA"

Copyright 2010 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2010
Grades 5-8 After Brian Dudley lands his dream job as a batboy for the Detroit Tigers, he is disappointed when his hero, Hank Bishop, who has been given a final chance by the Tigers after a steroid scandal, proves to be uncommunicative and even hostile. Brians parents are divorced, and communication with his dad, an exmajor league pitcher who is working as a coach in Japan, is also difficult. Despite Brians efforts to reach out, his father doesnt respond to e-mails or letters. Eventually, though, Brian does find a way to talk with Hank, who proves to be a softy. Lupica has hit upon an effective formula for his novels, giving his readers a behind-the-scenes look at major league sports. In this novel, he adds genuine insights into family dynamics and the emotional state of his hero. Pair this with Wes Tookes Lucky: Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever (2010), which also describes the life of a major league batboy.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2010, American Library Association.)