How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
Review Detail
Young Adult Fiction
895
A Good Book for Baseball Fans
Overall rating
3.0
Plot
3.0
Characters
3.0
Writing Style
3.0
WELCOME TO THE SHOW by Frank Nappi is the third in the Mickey Tussler series featuring (you guessed it!) Mickey Tussler. Mickey is an autistic pitching protégé who has been called up to “The Show” to try to help the Boston Braves make their way to the World Series. Mickey’s stepdad/mentor is the new manager of the Braves, and the novel follows their season-long trials and triumphs through many twists and turns.
Without having read the first two books, I was able to dive into the story of Mickey and Murph and their shared love of America’s pastime. With guest appearances by many real life baseball greats from the 1950s, WELCOME TO THE SHOW is a gift to those of us who love the history of the game, and the play-by-play narrative of some of the games is a special treat.
Although liberties are certainly taken with baseball history, Nappi seems to know his stuff. WELCOME TO THE SHOW is sprinkled liberally with baseball-isms, and it will engage those who understand the intricacies and the jargon of baseball. Of the characters in the book, Mickey is definitely the highlight, and his tendency to wander off on verbal tangents adds to the charm of the book.
One drawback for me in the book is the development and the chronicling of the personal relationships. Murph and Molly (Mickey’s mom) are married and they have a drawn out conflict over where each feels happiest, and every time passages about that mini drama came up I found myself rushing through them to get to the next ballgame. Mickey’s friendship and budding romance with Jolene is important to the plot, but it becomes tiresome too. Another problem with the book is the shifting perspectives in the narrative. Nappi tries to show all sides of every important situation from the perspective of every character involved, and it doesn’t work well, and he attempts to give personal background to the characters by delving into multiple characters’ thoughts, and that is also clumsy at times.
Although the book isn’t perfect, WELCOME TO THE SHOW is a nice novel for the young baseball fan. There are plenty of passages to skim through, but the action on the baseball field makes it well worth the read.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Without having read the first two books, I was able to dive into the story of Mickey and Murph and their shared love of America’s pastime. With guest appearances by many real life baseball greats from the 1950s, WELCOME TO THE SHOW is a gift to those of us who love the history of the game, and the play-by-play narrative of some of the games is a special treat.
Although liberties are certainly taken with baseball history, Nappi seems to know his stuff. WELCOME TO THE SHOW is sprinkled liberally with baseball-isms, and it will engage those who understand the intricacies and the jargon of baseball. Of the characters in the book, Mickey is definitely the highlight, and his tendency to wander off on verbal tangents adds to the charm of the book.
One drawback for me in the book is the development and the chronicling of the personal relationships. Murph and Molly (Mickey’s mom) are married and they have a drawn out conflict over where each feels happiest, and every time passages about that mini drama came up I found myself rushing through them to get to the next ballgame. Mickey’s friendship and budding romance with Jolene is important to the plot, but it becomes tiresome too. Another problem with the book is the shifting perspectives in the narrative. Nappi tries to show all sides of every important situation from the perspective of every character involved, and it doesn’t work well, and he attempts to give personal background to the characters by delving into multiple characters’ thoughts, and that is also clumsy at times.
Although the book isn’t perfect, WELCOME TO THE SHOW is a nice novel for the young baseball fan. There are plenty of passages to skim through, but the action on the baseball field makes it well worth the read.
My thanks to the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
Good Points
Main character with autism
Excellent play-by-play narrative of baseball games
Excellent play-by-play narrative of baseball games
Comments
Already have an account? Log in now or Create an account
Powered by JReviews
How to resolve AdBlock issue?
X
FEATURED GIVEAWAYS
It’s Live! Cover Reveal: THE VERITAS PROJECT by C. F. E. Black + Giveaway (US Only)
We're so excited to celebrate the cover reveal for The Vertias Project by C.F.E. Black, releasing 3/16/2021! Before we get to the cover, here's a note from the author: Ever walked into a crowded...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Sunshine (Marion Bauer) ~ (US Only)
Sunshine (US Only) Author: Marion Bauer Release Date: May 18th, 2021 Publisher: Candlewick Press About The Book Newbery Honoree Marion Dane Bauer evokes the “summer t...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: LEGENDBORN (Tracy Deonn) ~ (US Only)
LEGENDBORN (US Only) Author: Tracy Deonn Release Date: September 15th, 2020 Publisher: MK McElderry About The Book An Instant New York Times Bestsel...
Posted in News & Updates
Spotlight on Happy Girl Lucky (The Valentine's #1) (Holly Smale), Excerpt, Plus Giveaway! ~ (US Only)
Today we're excited to spotlight Happy Girl Lucky (The Valentine's #1) by Holly Smale. Read on for more about Holly, an excerpt & plus giveaway! Mee...
Posted in News & Updates
Giveaway: Curls (Ruth Forman) ~ (US Only)
Curls (US Only) Author/Illustrator: Ruth Forman/Geneva Bowers Release Date: December 22nd, 2020 Publisher: Little Simon About The Book A joyfully poetic board b...
Posted in News & Updates
Indie Superstars with the Authors of Of Thorns and Beauty + Giveaway (US Only)
Welcome to YA Books Central's "Indie Superstars" column. This event will spotlight the best and brightest of the indie community. You don’t want to miss out on these talented ...
Posted in News & Updates
Latest Book Listings Added
City of Spells, the follow-up to Alexandra Christo's gritty...
Step into an opulent world filled with risk, romance,...
Charming illustrations and step-by-step instructions take little ones through a...
The differences between Bertram and his neighbor Alan were never...
Children will love to press the soft, silicone buttons on...
Joy Luminieé, a scrappy teen from Queens, NY, can barely...
Latest Member Reviews
"Years ago, the Court of Owls overtook Gotham City, ending the reign of superheroes and creating a new Gotham built..."
"Seren Rhys is glad to be leaving the orphanage but nervous about what awaits her at her godfather's estate, Plas-y..."
"AMERICAN BETIYA is a breathtaking contemporary read about identity, family, and racism. Rani is an Indian American with dreams of..."
"‘The Story Blanket’ by Ferida Wolff and Harriet May Savitz, illustrated by Elena Odriozola, is the story of Babba Zarrah,..."
"‘My Best Friend Prince Charming’ by Cindy Ray Hale tells the story of Ryker and Shannon, two best friends who..."
" The Story: Willow is a figure skater who has been sidelined from her team by an injury...."
"NOW THAT NIGHT IS NEAR is a lovely poem in a picture book about going to sleep. A cat travels..."
"MOMMY LOVES YOU is a sweet board book of love between mother and child. The book features mother and baby..."
"CALM BUNNY is a colorful board book that walks young children through some simple yoga poses to help promote focus..."
"THE PROBLEM WITH PIERRE is a sweet picture book about a picky cat, good friends, and problem-solving. Bertram and Alan..."
"NOISY TRACTOR is a cute board book with an interactive element that presents some farm-themed basics. Each page features some..."
"RAVAGE THE DARK is a satisfying conclusion to a YA fantasy duology. In this sequel, we begin with Cayo, Amaya,..."
"Thirteen-year-old Anamaria has an encounter from Thirty, a strange woman who insists she's from the future. Anamaria lives in Ciudad..."
"‘Admission’ by Julie Buxbaum is a modern and definitely current read on a topic that has been in the news...."
"‘Running’ by Natalia Sylvester is a trend-setting anthem for anyone who has ever wanted to be the change they wish..."
"Lily can see the future and when she sees her friend killed, she tries to save her. Lily is an..."
"CITY OF SPELLS is a stunning conclusion to an enthralling YA fantasy duology. The book plunges us into the story..."
"CHRISTMAS PARADE is another cute and brightly colored board book from Boynton. In this book, children see a Christmas parade,..."
"BEST FRIEND IN THE WHOLE WORLD is a sweet picture book about friends and doing the right thing. Roland lives..."
"What worked: This is one intense psychological tale of a girl trying to reconnect with her sister after she joins..."