Under the Baseball Moon

I have never enjoyed a book so much or been so surprised by a book as I was by Under the Baseball Moon. You start off thinking it's a sports story, then you realize it's a musicians story, then you see that it's really both mixed in together and SO MUCH more. It's very difficult for me to descrbe it, only to say this book now stands as my favorite book of all time. It's humorous and mysterious and has the most amazing plot and so many interesting characters you really like. You get so taken away by this mysterious thing that's happening to Andy and Glory that they become like your closest friends since it sweeps you away too. I won't spoil it for you except that you need to pay attention all the way through tthe book because the ending will ASTOUND you. I hope they make a movie out of this book real soon so then I can see everything that happens in real life. I would say ten stars if I could its such a good book!!

The finest contemporary author of baseball books for teens has written not just another baseball - or, in this case, softball - book; rather, a multilayered and thoroughly engrossing love story starring two 15-year-olds determined that this will be their "breakout summer." Freestyle skateboarder Andy Ramos "paints the town" with his old trumpet and his unique style of music, "cultural fusion." Glory Martinez also has grand dreams, of a career in fast-pitch softball. Yet first she needs to make the travelball team and impress the scout from UC Berkeley. Andy and Glory soon realize that each makes the other's craft better - takes it to a higher level. But is some strange "outside force" responsible for Andy's breaks, or Glory's shoulder problems? Did Andy make a deal with the devil? What's going on in this "organical beach town filled with soul," Ocean Beach, California? This magical mystery tale is told with brilliance, grace and style, from the lyrical first page to Andy's song lyrics that end it. "Under the Baseball Moon" gets my vote for breakout book of the summer. (A version of this review originally appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly.)

Thank you John Ritter again, for another great book. I highly recommend "Under the Baseball Moon." to everyone, whether they are a musician, softball player, lawyer, mom, dad, student...and everyone else too, mainly because it is just plain fun to read a good book. The scenes are truly authentic, the characters are easy to identify with, and the research is impeccable. It has all of the good qualities that I have come expect from John's work.

WOW. what an honestly incredible book. i should've known by the cover that this was not just your everyday sports book but more of a "pull you out of this world book". once again john ritter takes you into a different direction than you ever imagined. although it's a different book from "boy who saved baseball", this one is probably better. more inventive if that's possible and deeper and surprising. truly this is a great one to recommend to all friends and family of any age, especially musicians and skaters and fastpitch softball players. they won't be able to put it down. two thumbs up!

Under the Baseball Moon absolutely rocks. I can't say it more perfect than that because it's a wild, lyrical, almost magical, story that only John Ritter could write. It's about two high school stars, Andy, who loves music and plays trumpet in a garage band (who rocks), and Glory, who loves baseball "like crazy" and plays fastpitch softball and has a smoking great pitching arm (who also rocks). But on their way to becoming superstars, something really weird happens in OB California, described as a "beachtown filled with soul," and it tangles them up in the strangest and most interesting story I've read in a long time. Anyone will love this book. I bought it for my son, who loved it, but I couldn't put it down either. It's a definite must read for sports and music lovers or anyone who wants a great, well written, offbeat mystery with plenty of action and surprises. Congratulations to John Ritter for another "superstar" novel. And as I'm telling everyone: Get it for whoever, but grab one for yourself too. You'll be glad you did!