Barnstormers Game 1

Published as Barnstormers: Game 1, Magic in the Outfield (Sluggers) is an old-time baseball story that is a must-read adventure. The story begins as Griffith, Graham, and Ruby have just attended their father's funeral, and the siblings are left with many questions. "Mother said we're going to be barnstormers. What does that mean?" Ruby asks. Uncle Owen explains that barnstorming is when folks travel around the country presenting plays, giving lectures, or performing exhibitions like dancing, tightrope walking, or baseball. Turns out, barnstormers can make a lot of money which is why the kids must join their mother and their father's wartime traveling baseball team, The Travelin' Nine, on a tour of America. No one will tell the kids why the team needs money so badly. Their only clue is a baseball with a hole the size of an acorn in it that their Uncle Owen gives to them the night of their father's funeral. They know very little about its significance except that their father made it with his own two hands and carried it with him throughout the war. Uncle Owen not only entrusts them with the ball, but lets them know that great danger lies ahead and they need to be together, always. In this first book in the series, the Travelin' Nine head to Cincinnati to take on the local team. As the game progresses,the kids learn that when all three of them hold the ball, strange things happen. What would you think if a massive locomotive came thundering in the outfield during a baseball game? To make it even more mysterious, only the Travelin' Nine and the kids are the ones to witness the marvel. Since this is the first book in the series, many questions are left unanswered that make you want to pick up Sluggers 2. The story ends with the siblings and the team questioning the strange occurrences and preparing to board a steamboat that will take them to Louisville for their next game. What I love about this book is the mystery involved. It's enough to keep you satisfied, but also enough to make you want to read on. You get a feel for old-time baseball with baseball lingo defined in the margins, and you're pulled into a magical world where strange things are abound. Loren Long's illustrations are absolutely amazing and add to the allure and mystery. It's a book that will appeal to any baseball lover, but also those interested in mystery and fantasy.

The BARNSTORMERS Game book series for young readers - 8 THROUGH 12 - is visually very exciting. Fabulous illustrations by Loren Long. Intriguing story line which will hook the readers' minds and emotions from the beginning. Appealing family unity theme. Interesting "side margin" notes giving the definitions of the baseball language usage of the 1899 era in which the stories are set. Easy to read shorter chapters which are enchanced by the author's wonderful illustrations helping the characters to come alive for the reader. Each book in the series is called a "GAME" with a new title and number (theme) which beckons the reader to follow the mystery into the next "GAME", (next book in the series). Historical facts of the time in the local area where the games are set seem true to fact. Very nice new series for boys and girls, and their parents.

These books follow a barnstorming baseball team. Game 1 is in Cincinnati, two is in Louisville, and three will be Chicago. The first book was filled with references to Cincinnati history and landmarks. When baseball terminology is used, the words are defined in the margins. I am purchasing this series for my grandsons (ages 5 and 3). They have heard the first book and enjoyed it. I am looking forward to the next books because they are set in cities we visit often. As "grandma reader", I enjoyed talking with the five-year old about what the baseball terms mean. The books remind me of the Lemony Snicket books because there is sadness and a lot of unexplained events. The boys enjoyed the story and we look forward to what will happen next.

Here's the beginning of great new series for kids. BARNSTORMERS: The Tales of the Travelin' Nine is written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Loren Long. Set in 1899, BARNSTORMERS brings historic baseball to life for readers. The story centers around three siblings, Griffith, Ruby, and Graham. Still recovering from the death of their father, the three children are traveling with the colorful ball team, the Travelin' Nine. Their exhibition games are meant to earn money to pay the debts left behind after the death of their father. Adding excitement to the story is a mysterious baseball given to the children by their father's brother, Uncle Owen. The baseball has seen better days, but its torn stitching and acorn-sized hole seem to promise miraculous things if the siblings keep it close during these trying times. Could it be the baseball that causes the crazy visions the team sees on the field as they play ball? Bildner creates a wonderful picture of the past as he takes readers through the team's first game against Cincinnati. With historical baseball terminology explained in the margins, kids of today are treated to a magical glimpse into the history of early baseball. The lyrical text does not talk down to younger readers, but instead challenges them to read and appreciate Bildner's engaging style. Add in the mystical illustrations of Loren Long, and I can't wait to see the story continue. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"