Kidsreads.com - THE BROOKLYN NINE: A Novel in Nine Innings by Alan Gratz

THE BROOKLYN NINE: A Novel in Nine Innings
by Alan Gratz
Dial Books for Young Readers
ISBN: 9780803732247
Ages 8-12
320 pages

Felix, Louis, Arnold, Walter, Frankie, Kat, Jimmy, Michael and Snide have two things in common: they all make up one distinctive family spanning nine generations, and they all love baseball. Alan Gratz takes us on a journey through their family history and the history of baseball in THE BROOKLYN NINE: A Novel in Nine Innings. Each inning tells the unique story of each family member and their equally unique connection to baseball. Everything from the Civil War to the All-American Girls Baseball League to Sputnik is included along with America’s favorite pastime --- baseball!

Felix Schneider happens to be cheering on his favorite New York Knickerbockers, and his idol Alexander Cartwright, in 1845 when the unthinkable happens: a fire breaks out across the city, and it’s up to the volunteer fire brigade to stop the spread before it engulfs the city. Felix somehow becomes entangled and gets more than he bargained for. Union Soldier Louis Schneider is taking a break from the toils of war by playing baseball when shots ring out and the heat of battle ensues. When Louis goes looking for his lost baseball, he strikes up a friendship with the most unsuspecting baseball fan. Arnold Schneider gets caught up in a vaudeville show featuring one of his baseball heroes, King Kelly. After the show, Arnold comes to realize that even heroes aren’t always perfect.

Walter Snider is on vacation with his family on Coney Island, one of his favorite places. While there, he catches a makeshift baseball game featuring a black pitcher with a blazing fastball. Walter, however, meets resistance from the major leagues over the suspect pitcher. Frankie Snider has a gift with numbers and a love of the Brooklyn Robins. She meets a fellow fan at a game, and together they use Frankie’s smarts to stop a con man. Kat Snider leaves home during the Second World War to play baseball for the All-American Girls Baseball League. She learns about life and the reality of war while playing baseball on the road.

Jimmy Flint is up against more than he thought possible. His mother is off helping relocate the Brooklyn Dodgers to California, the Russians have launched Sputnik into space, and a bothersome bully is making life miserable at school. How will baseball solve his problems? Michael Flint is pitching another game in Little League Baseball. He jokes about Star Wars and Indiana Jones with his friends until baseball takes over. Michael has a chance to pitch an improbable perfect game. Will he overthink every pitch, or just let the love of the game guide his arm? Snider Flint’s reality is less than desirable. He is forced to live in an antique shop with his uncle after a fire destroyed his home. Perhaps sifting through some old relics will provide comfort and a little intrigue into his otherwise gloomy existence.

Alan Gratz effortlessly combines the complexity of history with the ever-evolving game of baseball. He also mixes in the family dynamics of the Schneider family and their ties to baseball that are passed down from generation to generation. I am not a self-proclaimed baseball fan, but that didn’t matter. While baseball may be the general theme that ties the Schneider family together, it was each family member’s story that peaked my interest. Fans of baseball, though, will not be disappointed as Gratz clearly shows his love and appreciation for the game.

--- Reviewed by Benjamin Boche (bennyboche@hotmail.com)

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