Barnstormers’ Baseball, Will this Author Hit a Home Run Yet?
Game 1 Barnstormers written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Loren Long
A while back, I had an opportunity to read and listen to the first book in a new historical fiction series for 7 -10 year olds. Game 1 (Barnstormers)
Set in 1899, the first book in the series leaves us with more questions than answers: we know the children’s father died in the war and that he possessed a mysterious baseball but it unclear why the ball is significant. We also hear their uncle’s warning that great danger lies ahead but so far have only encountered mysterious visions and sounds.
For children who are fascinated with baseball and how it was played 100+ years ago,this series may yet prove very appealing. Personally, I was frustrated that the author left me stranded on second base – with many, many unanswered questions.
Game 1 (Barnstormers) at Amazon.com
Game 1: #1 in The Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin’ Nine Series at Amazon.ca
I had a deal with an agent (now deceased) who proposed: you read my property and I’ll read yours. The story concerned a yound boy whose father had escaped from jail and everyone in town wondered if this man would come back and steal away the boy and get vengence on the town. That was the first chapter. The rest of the chapters were old time school antics. and anticipation for the return of the con. Well. the man never did show up. My son, then in Gr. 5 tried to read it and couldn’t get past chapter 4 because it was boring. I told this to the agent who said, “Well, I like it, and it will be published.” And there you have it the secret to writing success: it’s not what you write but who likes your writing. This is why I gave up up on traditional publishers.