Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse

Title: Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse
Series: Babe Ruth #1
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: February 24, 2009
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0375856037

 

Overview
Before 1918, the Boston Red Sox were unstoppable. They won World Series after World Series, thanks in part to their charismatic pitcher-slugger Babe Ruth. But some people on the Red Sox felt the Babe was more trouble than he was worth, and he was traded away to one of the worst teams in baseball, the New York Yankees. From then on, the Yankees became a golden team. And the Red Sox? For over 80 years, they just couldn’t win another World Series. Then, in 2004, along came a scruffy, scrappy Red Sox team. Could they break Babe Ruth’s curse and win it all?

Reviews
“It’s the lively sports lingo and compelling subject matter that keep newly independent readers in their seats until the final out.” -–Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books

“Here is vivid history retold…as if we are at the ball park, even making the reader assume The Babe’s real life as he began his career in somewhat astonishing circumstances…this kind of engaging story should be read aloud to fully appreciate the intensity and excitement of one of America’s endearing pastimes. —Children Literature

“Play-by-play descriptions of important games will keep baseball fanatics reading to the end.” —School & Library Journal

Resources
Read Interviews with the Author
Explore Fun Facts about Babe Ruth
Read Author’s Background
Read Author’s Note

Interviews and Press Coverage
Listen to an interview of David A. Kelly talking about his book, Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse

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The Soccer Surprise

Title: The Soccer Surprise
Series: MVP #2
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0553513226

From the author of the Ballpark Mysteries comes a brand-new sports-themed chapter book series featuring the coolest club around—the Most Valuable Players!

The MVP club wants to save an old field house close to their school. They could turn it into their very own sports center! Luckily, a famous soccer star is coming to town and wants to help. Can the kids and their all-star friend raise enough money for the field house? And will practice with a pro help them score big at their next soccer game?

Perfect for kids who love to compete in all kinds of contests and have fun with great friends, David A. Kelly’s new series teaches readers that when you’re a most valuable player, you love sports, always show spirit, and never give up! And don’t miss bonus back matter filled with cool sports facts in every book.

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The Pinstripe Ghost

Title: The Pinstripe Ghost
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #2
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: Feb 22, 2011
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0375867040

Batting second—and perfect for Halloweenbook #2 in an early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

Mike and Kate are waiting for Kate's mom at a boring press conference in Yankee Stadium when the team official says something that makes Mike perk up his ears. There are rumors that the ghost of Babe Ruth is haunting the new stadium! A chill air blasts down a service hallway before every home game, along with various thumps and bumps. Is the Bambino really searching for his missing locker?

The Pinstripe Ghost includes a fun fact page about New York's Yankee Stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed right at beginning readers.

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The Football Fumble

Title: The Football Fumble
Series: MVP #3
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0553513257

From the author of the Ballpark Mysteries comes the coolest sports club around—the Most Valuable Players!

The MVP kids can’t wait to play in the big football game. That is, until they catch a glimpse of their opponents! The team from Hamilton Elementary School seems bigger and—even worse—just plain mean. Taking on a tough opponent is never easy. Will this bully blitz keep the MVPs off their game? Or can they find a way to huddle together and win the day?

Perfect for kids who love to compete in all kinds of contests and have fun with great friends, David A. Kelly’s series teaches readers that when you’re a most valuable player, you love sports, always show spirit, and never give up! And don’t miss sports facts in every book.

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The L.A. Dodger

Title: The L.A. Dodger
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #3
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: July 26, 2011
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0375868856

Now batting third—book #3 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

It's spring break and Kate and Mike are off to Los Angeles to visit Kate's dad, a scout for the Dodgers. But all is not sunny in L.A.—strange things have been happening to Kate's dad. Pages have gone missing from his clipboard. He's gotten threatening phone calls. And he thinks he's being followed! Is someone after Mr. Hopkins's top secret scouting reports?

The L.A. Dodger includes a fun fact page about Los Angeles's Dodger Stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

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The Basketball Blowout

Title: The Basketball Blowout
Series: MVP #4
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: May 3, 2016
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0553513288

From the author of the Ballpark Mysteries comes the coolest sports club around—the Most Valuable Players!

The MVP club needs to raise money for their basketball tournament. At first, they think selling popcorn will be easy . . . but then Luke eats more popcorn than he sells! Plus there’s a new kid at school who might need the money even more than the team does. Can the MVP kids raise enough money, win the tournament, and help their friend?

Perfect for kids who love to compete in all kinds of contests and have fun with great friends, David A. Kelly’s series teaches readers that when you’re a most valuable player, you love sports, always show spirit, and never give up! Don’t miss bonus sports facts in every MVP book.

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The Astro Outlaw

Title: The Astro Outlaw
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #4
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: Feb 28, 2012
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0375868832

Now batting clean-up—book #4 in a new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

Houston, we have a problem! Before a game at the Astros' ballpark, Mike and Kate get to meet astronaut commander Nick Rice at the nearby Houston Space Center. He's planning to display a very rare moonrock at an autographing event later. But just before the event, a nefarious outlaw knocks out the commander and steals the moonrock! Can Mike and Kate figure out who did it . . . when their only clue is a broken green feather?

The Astro Outlaw includes a fun act page about the Houston Astros' stadium with trivia about the train on the outfield wall and the homerun gas pump.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

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The All-Star Joker

Title: The All-Star Joker
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #5
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: June 12, 2012
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0375868849

Next up to the plate—book #5 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark! 

The stars are out in Kansas City . . . the baseball stars, that is! Mike and Kate are at the All-Star game, and even get to go on the field during the Home Run Derby to catch pop-ups! That's where they meet Andy, whose dad, Josh Robinson, is an All-Star catcher. But before the Home Derby ends, Josh finds himself in hot water. Someone is playing practical jokes on the other players, and the coach is sure it's him. Andy swears his dad is innocent. Who would want to frame Josh? And why?

The All-Star Joker includes a fun fact page about Kansas City's stadium.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunnits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

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The Wrigley Riddle

Title: The Wrigley Riddle
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #6
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0307977762

Next up to the plate—book #6 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

Ivy-covered walls—they're the most famous part of the Chicago Cubs' historic ballpark, Wrigley Field. Mike and Kate can't wait to get down on the field to see the ivy for themselves. But when they do, they're horrified to discover patches of the ivy have been ripped away! Who would want to sabotage the stadium? Is it someone trying to curse the Cubs? Or is the rumor of a treasure hidden under the ivy tempting greedy fans? The Wrigley Riddle includes a fun fact page about Chicago's Wrigley Field.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.  

Amazon Best Books of the Year 2013 (So Far): Chapter Books

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The San Francisco Splash

Title: The San Francisco Splash
Series: Ballpark Mysteries #7
Published by: Random House Children's
Release Date: May 28, 2013
Pages: 110
ISBN13: 978-0307977793

Time for a seventh-inning stretch! The San Francisco Splash is book #7 in our early chapter book mystery series, where each book is set in a different American ballpark!

   Splash! A hit soars over the walls of the San Francisco ballpark on the bay and drops into the water. But then Mike and Kate hear another, much larger splash nearby . . . and this time it's not a baseball. It's a man overboard! And when he's pulled from the water, the old-time ballplayer discovers his World Series ring is gone! Is it at the bottom of the bay? Or was it somehow stolen by a long-ago rival?

   The San Francisco Splash includes several pages of "Dugout Notes," fun facts about San Francisco's recently built ballpark.

Cross Ron Roy's A to Z Mystery series with Matt Christopher's sports books and you get the Ballpark Mysteries: fun, puzzling whodunits aimed at the younger brothers and sisters of John Feinstein's fans.

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