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Mar 17, 2005 | ISBN 9780142402863 | Middle Grade (8-12) Buy
Mar 17, 2005 | ISBN 9781101200469 | Middle Grade (8-12) Buy
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Mar 17, 2005 | ISBN 9780142402863 | Middle Grade (8-12)
Mar 17, 2005 | ISBN 9781101200469 | Middle Grade (8-12)
Tom Gallagher is in a tight spot. The fate of the Dillontown team rests on the outcome of one baseball game, winner take all. If Tom’s team loses, they lose their field too. But how can they possibly win? Just when everything seems hopeless, a mysterious boy named Cruz de la Cruz rides into town and claims to know the secret of hitting. Not to mention the secrets of Dante Del Gato, Dillontown’s greatest hitter ever. Since he walked away from the game years ago, Del Gato hasn’t spoken a word to anyone. But now he might be Tom’s only hope for saving his hometown. From the award-winning author of Over the Wall and Choosing Up Sides comes this imaginative tale of one boy’s struggle to preserve the spirit of the game he loves.
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 . . .
John Ritter has written many books and numerous short stories for young adult readers. His first novel, Choosing Up Sides, won the 1999 International Reading Association Children’s Book Award for Older Readers and was designated an American Library Association Best Book for… More about John Ritter
“Enthralling . . . filled with memorable moments.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review“A baseball tale of legendary dimension . . . another stellar read.”–Booklist, starred review“This tale is peppered with both optimism and dilemmas; it has plenty of play-by-play action, lots of humor, and a triumphant ending.”–School Library Journal“Readers will relate to the themes of overcoming reticence, the drive to meet an impossible challenge, and the thrill of growing into a team.”–Children’s Literature
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