Game 2 (Sluggers) Review

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(More customer reviews)When Ruby Payne and her older brother Griffith stand on the deck of the steamer Meriwether Lewis and take a look at Uncle Owen's letter, they know danger lies ahead. His tattered note warns "Beware the Chancellor," and Griffith sees what appears to be blood stains. They fear for Uncle Owen's safety after reading even worse news about the Chancellor: "He mustn't learn of the baseball."
Ruby and Griffith know about the legend of the Chancellor, a wealthy and powerful man who supposedly possesses evil powers. They also remember the earlier warning they received from their Uncle Owen on the night of their father's funeral: "Be together, Always. Great danger lies ahead, an unspeakable kind. Things will speak to you in different ways. And, you mustn't tell a soul."
In Louisville, Ruby, Griffith and Graham learn some history, geography and a little more about the game of baseball. They find out why Louisville is called the River City and how Kentucky came to be known as the Bluegrass State. They meet J. F. Hellerich, creator of the Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Yet puzzling things occur to Ruby when she visits Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.
To understand the strange happenings, Ruby records in a journal what she sees, hears and thinks. After reading it, Ruby and her brothers begin to understand more about the power --- and the danger --- of the magic baseball. When Ruby, Griffith and Graham band together and hold the baseball, strange and wonderful things happen on the baseball field. The ghosts of graceful and mighty thoroughbred horses graze among the players, unseen by the cheering crowd. Only Ruby, Griffith, Graham and the Travelin' Nine are aware of the horses' presence --- and witness their power.
In Louisville, Ruby also gets to know more about the Travelin' Nine players, especially the silent Scribe, who is "the largest human being Ruby had ever seen." And Griffith understands, even more than his mother, about the danger and risks facing their family, especially to Graham.
The lovely illustrations, the convenient and easy-to-understand definitions about historic baseball terms and the intriguing storyline complement this enjoyable sequel. Even if your favorite team didn't make it to the World Series this year, Game 2 of the Barnstormers series will give baseball lovers of all ages something to cheer about.
--- Reviewed by Donna Volkenannt

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In the Corner: Great Boxing Trainers Talk About Their Art Review

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(More customer reviews)Considered by some to be the greatest book ever written about boxing, this book features interviews with a number of legendary boxing trainers as they talk about the art/craft of the sport. A must read for any serious fan of the fight game.

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Water, Water Everywhere (Sluggers) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Travelin' Nine have just beat the Chicago Nine and things are heating up more than ever as we've reached the fourth book in The Sluggers! Series, Water, Water Everywhere (Sluggers).
The year is 1899 and the Travelin' Nine continue to barnstorm their way across the good ole' U.S. of A., trying to raise money to pay off the Payne family's big-league debt. The book starts off strong as we learn about Ruby's mysterious disappearance and the team must come together to determine the future of the team.
In this installment, the Travelin' Nine are set to take on the Minneapolis Millers, but as they prepare for battle, they realize the chancellor has stacked the odds against them. They'll now face a team of professional ballists, the Minneapolis Lakers. As the Lakers lay out the terms, Ruby, Graham, and Griffith learn they're not permitted in the dugout. After all, if they're separated from the adults, the chancellor has a better chance of getting the magic baseball and whatever else he wants.
In Water, Water Everywhere, not only does the action heat up on the field, but it heats up off the field as Ruby, Graham, and Griffith roam the stadium, trying to avoid the chancellor's men. They spot their bald eagle, and have an encounter with the man from the trolley and the park. He says he's here to help them, but how do they know if they can trust him? The old man gives some sage advice, "One who is with you is not with you at all."
As Graham makes a heartfelt birthday wish, he gets exactly what he asks for. But questions still remain: Was it real? Can it possibly be true? Or is it all just a dream?
And if you don't think that's enough, we're left hanging as an intruder storms the Travelin' Nine's train at the end of the book. Will the chancellor's men finally get what they want, or does another adventure await?
Water, Water Everywhere is a suspense-filled, non-stop adventure. This is by far, my favorite book in the series, yet. The first three books have set the story up so well, that Water, Water Everywhere is full of drama. You're so drawn to the characters by this book, that you can't wait to find out what's going to happen next, and just when you think you're about to find out the truth, you're pulled in again to another adventure. Superb writing weaves you from one mystery to the next and all I have to say is...Bring on Sluggers! 5!!!


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Great Balls of Fire (Sluggers #3) Review

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(More customer reviews)Every pitcher who's ever hurled one over the plate has wished they were firing a missile--or better yet, a fireball. In Great Balls of Fire (Sluggers), the third book in the Sluggers series, the pitcher of the Travelin' Nine is doing just that, but why?
There are many questions that need answers as The Travelin' Nine are still barnstorming their way across the good ol' U. S. of A. to help pay off a substantial debt incurred by Uncle Owen. This time, the team heads to Chicago with a 1-1 record.
In Sluggers! 2, the team managed to spit out a win as the kids began to learn that the baseball their Uncle Owen had given to them on the night of their father's funeral was magical. Doc and Woody came through with timely fielding, Crazy Feet and Tales smacked clutch hits, and champion horses provided that extra kick, helping the barnstormers to their come-from-behind victory.
In this installment,Griffith is convinced more than ever that Uncle Owen owes money to the Chancellor and has a run-in with one of his men on the train, who states that the Chancellor "wants what you have."
Ruby also has an encounter with a mysterious stranger, and even though she doesn't know why, she knows that he will change the Travelin' Nine.
And Graham launches a towering shot out of the park when he thinks no one is looking. Unfortunately, the wrong eyes may have seen what the youngest Payne can do with a baseball.
As the Travelin' Nine take the field, the kids know it's time for all of them to place their hands on the magic ball. Their fears and worries continue to grow, wondering who's watching. But because of the baseball, this time, strange things begin to happen on the field that reference the Great Chicago Fire. Even a gigantic cow appears on the field--could they use it to their advantage?
The mystery deepens at the end of the book when Griffith has an encounter with the Chancellor who confirms that he wants something and also has something Griffith wants. What could they possibly be?
Bildner and Long have done it again with another mysterious, fun, and action-packed book! Out of the first three books of the series, this is my favorite because, as answers begin to unfold, the action reaches an escalated level. My heart was pounding as Griffith came face to face with the Chancellor and I'm dying to find out what the Chancellor has that Griffith wants. I thought the references to the Great Chicago Fire were phenomenal along with the old baseball lingo that continues to inform us in the margins.

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Where there's smoke... The year is 1899 and the Travelin' Nine are barnstorming their way across the good ol' U. S. of A., trying to raise money to pay off the Payne family's big-league debt. Pulling into Chicago, Griffith has a run-in with an enormous thug and is more convinced than ever that the nefarious robber baron called "The Chancellor" knows about their magic baseball. Ruby also has an encounter with a mysterious stranger, and even though she doesn't know why, she knows that he will change the Travelin' Nine. And Graham launches a towering shot out of the park when he thinks no one is looking. Unfortunately, the wrong eyes may have seen what the youngest Payne can do with a baseball. Chicago is a hot town, so the Paynes better keep their cool. The Travelin' Nine still have more money to make! #1 New York Times bestseller Loren Long and Texas Bluebonnet winner Phil Bildner create a memorable modern-day parable where three siblings embark on the adventure of a lifetime and discover the strength in family, the power of faith, and the true magic of baseball. New York Times bestselling series!

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