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Starting Pitcher
by Duane DeckerBluesox 2. Ed Lasky used to be aan all-star shortstop. He has a good arm and control, and he doesn't want to go back to the minors. Can he be convinced and make the change to becoming a starting pitcher?
Hit and Run
by Duane DeckerChip Fiske was a nimble, place-hitting specialist, but his short stature haunted him all the way up from the bush leagues. Now that he was big-time, he still threw his Sunday punch at the first wisecrack . . . and there were plenty of them, because this crowd liked big fellows and long-ball clouts. Then Kennie Willard came along-even more of a lone wolf than Chip. For Kennie was a Negro, the first in the League, and slated strictly for the benches. These two youngsters help each other to become really "big league"-in spirit and in action. You'll call HIT AND RUN one of the best baseball stories Duane Decker has ever written.
Fast Man on a Pivot
by Duane DeckerAt last Second Baseman Bud Walker was back again with the Blue Sox-this time, he profoundly hoped, to stay. He was not a spectacular player, just a reliable one. But he could make that double play. He had figured out to a split second just how to make the pivot and get off the throw in the absolute minimum of time. His teammates liked him, particularly the pitchers, for whom he saved game after game by his expert handling of the double play. But the fans insisted on flashy young Devlin, their choice for the second-base spot. From their hot partisanship sprang an almost unbearable situation for Bud. The manager rightly refused to take him out of the line-up while the Sox were still winning, and the incredible result was that the fans rooted violently for the defeat of their own team-and the banishment of Bud for good. In this, his finest book, Mr. Decker has built up the suspense, from the first page to the last, with a craftsmanship only matched by the skill of his expert baseball reporting.
The Catcher From Double-A
by Duane DeckerPete Gibbs showed promis when he first came to the Blue Sox, but time and World War II have taken their toll. His confidence has been shaken and he doesn't know whether he has what it takes. Excellent baseball action and characterization.
The Big Stretch
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 6. Ex-bat-boy, Buster Stookey, has a chance to play 1st base for the Blue Sox. He's replacing Marty Blake and it won't be easy even if Blake has become a human sieve. Blake can still hit the long ball and the fans still love him--so does the front office.
Switch Hitter
by Duane DeckerRookie Russ Woodward was going to be one of the greatest baseball players. He knew he was potentially worth a million dollars--all you had to do was ask him. He was fast, a natural and great fielder, could bat equally well right or left handed, and his biggest enemy was himself. He disobeyed orders, ignored instructions in his first season in the major league, and created dissension within the team by being a lone wolf. His patient manager tried everything from fining him, sending him back to the farm team to banishing him, but he couldn't succeed in knocking off that big chip Russ had on his shoulder. He finally learned what "team" meant, but it was a long time before he could work it out for himself. An excellent sport story.
Mister Shortstop
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 8. Andy Pearson had come up through the Blue Sox chain, but when he was ready for the big league, the Blue Sox had no place for him; their regular shortstop was at his dazzling best. Andy was too valuable to ride the bench and too good to be handed over to a serious competitor. So he was sold to a seventh-place club and, as he failed to shine in that depressing atmosphere, shifted from one second-division club to another. Then, just as he had decided to give up baseball, he found that the Blue Sox had purchased him, to replace their once brilliant shortstop for the last month of the season. Next year, when their newest star came up from the farm, Andy was back on the bench. To win the job of shortstop took even more than ability and determination. Andy had to discover the Blue Sox' secret-the intangible something which, against all likelihood, kept them winning World Series year after year.
Long Ball to Left Field
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 9. The Blue Sox had a problem. After nearly ten years in left field, the famous Kennie Willard had retired, and someone was needed to take his place and bat in the clean-up slot. They had Mike Jaffe, a bonus boy, who had proved during his two years with the Sox that he could do just what was wanted: hit that long ball to left. But Mike didn't want to be an outfielder; he was convinced that he should be a pitcher, as his father had been. Feeling like this, Mike just naturally was sympathetic toward pitchers, even when they weren't on his own team. Since this proved to be an unsatisfactory state of mind for a potential slugger, Mike began to spend more and more time on a Sox farm club instead of with the Sox themselves. Because Mr. Decker is a strictly major-league baseball writer, he resolves this situation in a true-to-life way. Boys will enjoy this sports novel both for its excitement and its authenticity.
Third-Base Rookie
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 10. At last the years had taken their toll of Johnny Madigan, the Blue Sox' pint-sized third baseman. The originally derisive label, good-field-no-hit, had long ago become his badge of honor; but now his never too robust batting average had dropped to .243 and he was a full step slower going to his left. The front office had acquired the best third-base prospect in the league to take his place, giving up a fine veteran pitcher to get the prize rookie. But Madigan was not the man to accept his sentence without protest, and when he discovered that the new boy was Vic Scalzi, from his own home town, he found himself suddenly in possession of a secret weapon. Scalzi had served a jail term for robbery, although his older brother was the guilty man. The core of this story is the vivid baseball action. The human interest is young Scalzi's emotional problem, which Mr. Decker presents with great skill and insight.
Rebel In Right Field
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 12. The ball shot on a sinking line over second base into right field, and Danny Redd watched it as he charged. It was a treacherous line drive, and it was his or nobody's. Danny saw that he should dive for it; instead he stretched his glove to his shoe tops. He felt the ball hit the glove, but he knew it had hit the turf a fraction of a second before. The umpire didn't see Danny trap the ball and called the play an out. Danny had apparently saved the inning, and he couldn't understand why manager Jug Slavin was angry about it. Danny Redd was the new right fielder for the Blue Sox, and he was on his way. He did everything right, but he wouldn't take a dive or crash into a fence for anyone. His older brother had finished his baseball career before it began by always getting hurt, and Danny wasn't going to make the same mistake. Great ballplayers aren't made that way, however, and how Danny slowly arrived at this painful conclusion is the climax of one of. Mr. Decker's finest baseball stories.
Showboat Southpaw
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 11. Sam Sloat was a nineteen-year-old pitcher, and for a left-hander he had good control. He had a good curve, too, but he seldom used it. He figured he didn't need it, not when he could just blow his fast ball past the hitters. The Blue Sox called him up from Triple-A at the end of the season and when he got a chance to pitch, with the game still wide open in the last inning, he shook off his catcher until he got the signal for the fast ball. Then he blew three batters in succession back to the bench, and that was the game. His next performance was even more startling-a complete game using nothing but the fast ball. But back home, in the fall, a frightening thing happened. Showboat Sloat felt the first ominous twinge in his left arm. How he dealt with the situation makes a wonderfully satisfying story, which provides not only plenty of baseball action, but also the picture of a man in the making.
The Grand-Slam Kid
by Duane DeckerBlue Sox 13. Fame came to Bucky O'Brian with a pinch-hit home run during his first game with the Blue Sox. Suddenly his chance of replacing fading catcher Pete Gibbs became excellent, for Manager Jug Slavin needed a catcher who could hit. There was nothing to warn any of them that he would be batting .209 the following season and getting boos from the fans. Bucky hated to bunt and never more so than the day his roommate Oklahoma had a no-hitter going. Coming toward Bucky was a pitch too high to bunt, but easy to hit out of the lot. Here was an opportunity to get the Sox in the scoring column, to save the day for Oklahoma, and to redeem himself. What happened then, surprised every player on the field. It also brought Bucky to his senses so that his education as a complete ballplayer could begin in earnest. This warm-hearted installment of the Blue Sox saga is sure to be a favorite with the team's many fans.
Jokelopedia: Athletic Antics Special Mini Edition
by Ilana Weitzman Eva Blank Alison Benjamin Rosanne GreenWhat's more fun than telling a good joke? Jokelopedia - "the mother of all joke books!" - will give kids one-liners that will make them the funniest kid at home, around the neighborhood and in class. Spending time laughing together is a great way to teach kids the value of Having Fun with family and friends. Let the laughs begin!
Meet Julie (American Girls #1)
by Megan McdonaldMoving is no fun, even just a few miles away. Julie Albright, a nine-year-old girl growing up in 1974 learns that life can be unfair when she has to move across town and attend a new school - one different than her best friend Ivy. Julie has other dreams too - like playing basketball. She is excited when she learns that her new school has a real basketball team. But soon, Julie finds herself facing a change she never expected.
Swimming: Merit Badge Series
by Boy Scouts of AmericaA guide to completing the swimming merit badge for Boy Scouts.
Scuba Diving: Merit Badge Series
by Boy Scouts of AmericaA guide to completing the SCUBA diving merit badge for Boy Scouts.
Don Nehlan's Tales from the West Virginia Sideline
by Don Nehlan Shelly PoeThis is the story of legendary West Virginia University coach Don Nehlan. It is the story of his 20 years of coaching West Virginia football.
Salute
by C. W. AndersonFrom the Book jacket: "If I only knew someone who would give him a good home." The owner of a fine horse, just crippled on the track, made the remark and Peter overheard him. Peter was ten and his father had taken him to his first race at Saratoga. He had always loved horses-Mohawk's owner could tell that from the way he acted. Could he take the horse? His father said he could, so a few days later Mohawk came home. Happy, busy days followed for both Peter and Mohawk, for no horse ever received more tender care. He grew strong and lively too. And when another year came around, he ran again and won $500. Perhaps you can guess what Peter did with his money. ... He bought a yearling, and, most exciting of all, Salute was a grandson of the great Man o' War. The artist's beautiful lithographs were all drawn directly on the zinc plates, a technique which gives them a rich depth in tone and quality. C. W. ANDERSON "Young horse lovers are extremely fond of C. W. Anderson's books. They have handsome horse portraits, and they tell in simple, straightforward fashion of the experience of children with horses." -New York Herald Tribune C. W. Anderson grew up in Wahoo, Nebraska, and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. His first book, Billy and Blaze, was published by Macmillan in 1936. Since then more than half a million Billy and Blaze Books have been sold, and Mr. Anderson has come to be recognized as America's foremost author- illustrator of horse stories. He has written such favorites for young readers as A Filly for Joan and High Courage, as well as books for horse enthusiasts of all ages such as Heads Up, Heels Down, C. W. Anderson's Complete Book of Horses and Horsemanship, and Twenty Gallant Horses. Horses still dominate Mr. Anderson's life as an artist and sportsman. He has a country home in Mason, New Hampshire, where he rides, and a studio in Boston.
Coop
by Jack TeeterWhen integration finally came to Lindsey County Comprehensive High School in Lutrell, Georgia, athletic director Tom Pierce decided that the black kids would play on the JV for the first year, even the upperclassmen. That idea didn't sit well with Coop. He played the best athletes, regardless of race, on the Baseball Varsity. Despite threatening phone calls and visits from the local KKK boys, Coop and his daughter and scorekeeper, Janet, came out winners-the Rams were state champs! Today, Coop is no longer a teacher. He's a box stacker at Southland Cup, banned from ever stepping on a ball field in Lindsey County. In fact, Coop hasn't spoken to anyone for seventeen years; he was injured in an automobile accident. The particulars of that long-past wreck are still vague. The passenger in Coop's vehicle that night was Becky, Janet's dearest friend and girlfriend of Sonny, the star of that state championship team. Three days after the wreck Becky was dead, and her parents learned that she had been pregnant. Coop's inability, or unwillingness, to cooperate with the local authorities cost him everything.
Merry Go Round in Oz
by Eloise Jarvis Mcgraw Lauren Mcgraw WagnerDescription by Reilly and Lee Publishing: When Robin Brown of Cherryburg, Oregon, climbed on a scarlet merry-go-round horse at a carnival, he never dreamed he and his horse would go cantering right off to Oz. Nor could Fess, the pageboy, foresee, when he awoke that morning in the little Munchkin kingdom of Halidom, that before night he would discover a National Disaster and set off on a perilous Quest with Prince Gules, to save the kingdom. As for Dorothy and the Cowardly Lion, how could they guess that their simple trip to order Easter eggs would turn into a search for magic treasure? Yet all these things happened, and all these astonished travelers-plus a Steed, a Flitter- mouse, and a Unicorn-eventually wound up as companions, in the most exciting and curious adventures of their lives. A thrilling new story of wit and courage, danger and fun, lovable and fearsome characters in the wonderful Land of Oz.
Little Vic
by Doris GatesLITTLE VIC is the story of Pony Rivers and his love for Little Vic, grandson of the famous race horse, Man O' War. The story traces the progress of the orphaned Pony Rivers from New York City to the winner's circle at California's Santa Anita Race Track. He reaches this destination because of his love for Little Vic, whom he has been with throughout the horse's young life and in whom he kept faith when all others had given up. Both boy and horse prove themselves when, riding at night on the Arizona ranch to which the horse has been sent for training, they rescue a group of campers from a flash flood. Then the boy truly understands the horse's greatness and the victory in the Santa Anita Handicap follows quickly.
Two If By Sea
by Roger BaxTwo Englishmen married while serving in Russia during WWII. They return to England after the war, but their brides are not allowed to leave Russia. The men decide to smuggle them away via sailboat. They will need a lot of lucky breaks and pure good luck for their plan to succeed.
Miracle in the Making: The Adam Taliaferro Story
by Scott Brown Sam CarchidiOn September 23, 2000, Adam Taliaferro had a lot going for him. He was a promising young football player on a full scholarship at Perm State University who seemed to have a career in the NFL in front of him. But after a jarring hit on an Ohio State running back, he woke up flat on his back in a hospital, unable to feel anything below his neck. His doctors said he would probably never walk again. Determined to prove those doctors wrong, Adam and his family embarked on a courageous journey of determination and faith that would end with Adam walking on his own two feet once again. Miracle in the Making is the remarkable story of that courageous achievement over incredibly long odds. It's the story of a recovery called miraculous by his doctors-a story of tragedy and triumph, of hope and inspiration, and a story that will remain with the reader long after the final page is turned.