Hey everyone! I’m super excited to share that I started writing my latest Ballpark Mysteries book last week, and guess what? It’s a Milwaukee Brewers mystery! Starting to write always takes a bit of time, but I’ve been diving deep into some fun background research to uncover the coolest angles for the mystery. It’s a bit of a puzzle at first, but somehow it always comes together in the end! With the Brewers, there are just so many fascinating elements to play with—it’s tricky but exciting!
Here’s a sneak peek from my draft where Mike and Kate are tailgating at a Brewers game:
“Watch out, Mike! Duck!” Kate Hopkins yelled at her cousin Mike Walsh. He was a few steps ahead of her in the parking lot outside the Milwaukee Brewers stadium.
But before Mike could bend down, a bright yellow-and-blue object hit him in the side of his head. It slowly slid off and fell to the ground with a plop.
Mike’s hand flew up to rub the side of his head. “Ouch!” he called out. “Hey, watch it!” His cheeks flushed, making his freckles stand out even more in the afternoon sun. Mike stopped rubbing and checked his hand for blood. Nothing. Just blue stains from the blueberries he’d squished onto his pancakes that morning.
Kate stepped up beside him, her brown ponytail bouncing beneath her baseball cap. She leaned over and grabbed a brightly colored Milwaukee Brewers beanbag from the ground. “It's cornhole,” she said. “You know, the game where you toss beanbags into a hole on a slanted board!” She handed it to Mike.
Mike continued to rub the side of his head while he examined the beanbag. It was blue with a big yellow Brewers logo. “I know what cornhole is,” he said. “What I don’t know is who threw that at me?”
Stay tuned for more updates on this mystery adventure! #chapterbooks #baseball #kidlit #reading #brewers #milwaukee #amwriting
New England readers can join me in Nashua NH at Kids Con!Kids Con NE Nashua, NH April 6, 2025 welcomes bestselling children's author of the Ballpark Mysteries and Football Mysteries book series, David A. Kelly! ⚾
⭐️ Get Tickets & Info: Kidsconne.com/
kidsconne.square.site/
David A. Kelly is the author of over thirty children’s books that have sold over 1.5 million copies, including his bestselling Ballpark Mysteries series by Random House, in which cousins Kate and Mike visit MLB ballparks to solve mysteries, and the Football Mysteries series, in which they visit NFL stadiums. David’s latest picture book, Tee Time on the Moon, takes readers to the Moon with Alan Shepard as he hits two golf balls during the Apollo 14 mission.
⚾ davidakellybooks.com/
✍️ kidsconne.com/speaker/davidakelly/
@kidscon @davidakellybooks #kidsconne #comiccon #kidlit #childrensbooks #bookseries #kids #teens #family #fun #author #bookfair #festival #literacy #read #workshops #activities #nashua #boston #newhampshire #newengland #funthingstodo #spring
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Celebrate President's Day with the Ballpark Mysteries and the Washington Nationals!
#chapterbooks #baseball #kidlit #reading #nationals #presidentsday
Join me this April 6th in Nashua, New Hampshire! I'll be signing Ballpark Mysteries and Football Mysteries books at Kids Con New England!
I love getting fan mail. Here's one I received today (PS-I let her know I already have a Kansas City book, The All-Star Joker!):
"I just wanted to send a note about how thankful I am that you write great wholesome kids sports content. My boys love sports and it feels like there is so little out there that involves a real plot and interesting stories around sports. It's not fun to read books that just regurgitate facts and stats.
We love your Baseball Mysteries - and while we would love a KC Royals book - I'm thrilled as a mom that your most recent books are about legends like Satchel Paige and Willie Mays. Thank you again!! Your books are so fun to read together with my boys."
#chapterbooks #baseball #kidlit #reading
Negro Leagues in the Hall of Fame - In 2020, the National Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York, announced that seven Negro Leagues were officially declared major leagues. That means that 48 records and statistics from Negro Leagues games between 1920 and 1948 are now part of the history of Major League Baseball.
Two of the best players in the Negro Leagues, Satchel Paige and Willie Mays, are featured in my latest Ballpark Mysteries books!
Check out the Negro Leagues Electees page (link in comment) from the National Baseball Hall of Fame highlighting Hall of Fame players who spent part or all of their time in the Negro Leagues.
Free David A. Kelly author visits? That's right-I have a few openings this Thursday, 2/13 a free, 20 minute author visit. Offer limited to schools with grades 1-4. Booking link in comments! (Sorry, there's a limited number and they go fast. I hope to be able to offer some more in future months).
Read my latest newsletter about Black History Month and baseball - mailchi.mp/davidakellybooks/feb-rickwood
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We can't wait!! My son is a huge ballpark mysteries fan and a bigger Brewers fan! Thanks so much for all you do to keep sports kiddos reading!!
Yes! So excited!
Fun!!! It would be wonderful for the late, great Bob Uecker to be featured somehow in the story. 💙💛