(4) K-3 Illustrated by Mark Elliott. This joint biography parallels Jackie Robinson and Hank Greenberg--baseball players who both faced prejudice because Robinson was African American and Greenberg was Jewish. Beginning with their births, Fishman traces their careers until their fateful 1947 collision at first base, where Greenberg encouraged Robinson to ignore the heckling. Elliott's figurative art is handsome but stiff.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. As a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines, Chad discovers that his baseball cards can help the team mascot brighten a young fan's day (Jinxed) and inspire a player to steal bases (Steal). Though they're about as substantial as ballpark popcorn, these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league fun, offer avid baseball fans a seat in the dugout. Review covers these Topps® League Story titles: Jinxed! and Steal That Base!

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. As a batboy for the Pine City Porcupines, Chad discovers that his baseball cards can help the team mascot brighten a young fan's day (Jinxed) and inspire a player to steal bases (Steal). Though they're about as substantial as ballpark popcorn, these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league fun, offer avid baseball fans a seat in the dugout. Review covers these Topps® League Story titles: Jinxed! and Steal That Base!

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. Batboy Chad's baseball cards help calm his teammate so he can pitch a perfect game (Zip It!) and satisfy a grumpy fan who's been asked to return Teddy "the Bear" Larrabee's birthday home-run ball (823rd). They're insubstantial, but these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league action, offer baseball fans quick and easy reads. Review covers these Topps® League titles: Zip It! and The 823rd Hit.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 1-3 Topps® League Story series. Illustrated by Eric Wight. Batboy Chad's baseball cards help calm his teammate so he can pitch a perfect game (Zip It!) and satisfy a grumpy fan who's been asked to return Teddy "the Bear" Larrabee's birthday home-run ball (823rd). They're insubstantial, but these chapter books, filled with stats and minor league action, offer baseball fans quick and easy reads. Review covers these Topps® League titles: Zip It! and The 823rd Hit.

Reviewer: Nancy Hull

(4) 4-6 In his latest adventure, thirteen-year-old Stosh travels back in time to try to prevent Roberto Clemente's death but finds he can't change the past. When Stosh's great-grandson appears to escort him to an ecologically despoiled future, Stosh sees that his actions in the present can affect the future. Gutman ties Clemente's real-life idealism to the book's obvious message.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Jim Burke. After finishing sixth grade, Honus Wagner, a homely, bowlegged boy, worked in the mines near Pittsburgh but devoted all his free time to his greatest love, baseball. Yolen uses a colloquial writing style and quiet humor to describe Honus's ascent from a humble beginning to being one of the greatest baseball players ever. Burke's uncluttered paintings capture the man's strength.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley

(4) 4-6 Stosh travels back to 1920 to attempt to save Ray Chapman, a Major League player who died after being hit by a pitch. Stosh brings a doctor along, but they aren't able to convince anyone that they can save Chapman's life. Because of its compelling emotional and historical details, this is one of the better books in the contrived series.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 Ritter deftly sets this sports story in the Wild West, whipping up a quick-moving tall tale full of unexpected twists. Billy the Kid arrives in a California town where the local baseball team is challenging the Chicago White Stockings for high stakes. Ritter mingles historical figures with characters of his own creation at poker tables, baseball games, ice cream socials, and gunfights. Good fun.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) 4-6 This eighth sports-themed adventure about Stosh, who can time travel with the help of baseball cards, finds the main character and the school bully seeking out Jim Thorpe in order to warn him about impending scandal. Though the story drags with overexposition, baseball fans will revel in the historical name-dropping and sports action.

Reviewer: Jack Forman

(3) 4-6 After being swindled out of a valuable baseball card by an unscrupulous dealer, Griffin Bing comes up with a plan to steal it back. He's assisted by an assorted group of friends including tentative Ben, "computer genius" Melissa, and plucky animal lover Savannah. Readers will enjoy the action and adventure as well as the kid-power theme in this entertaining read.

Reviewer: Beth L. Meister

(4) YA High school freshman Toby is trying to adjust to his new, fatherless life--mainly by convincing himself that his dad will come home, his older brother's drug use isn't a big deal, and throwing out his mom's American Express bills is a good idea. Though too many issues leave a few plot points dangling, Toby's struggles with his life ring true.

Reviewer: Jeannine M. Chapman