Game 1 (Barnstormers Series #1) Book

This book is unlike anything I would usually read, but it was well recommended to me by a respected GR Friend. I wish this, which is part of the Sluggers series, had been written when my two sons were involved in Little League. Perhaps my 5 year old grandson will have an interest in baseball and I can provide him with the set.

This was a quick little read for me, providing a pleasant interlude in a busy day. It was the first of the books, originally entitled Barnstormers: Game 1 . Set in 1899, the early years of baseball, when teams would travel around the country to small towns and cities, earning their pay through the ticket proceeds, a clear picture of the time was viewed. The story involves a family of barnstormers, description of games played and a neat little mystery. I discovered belatedly that I would have to continue on with other installments to find the solution.

Although Loren Long is named as the author, he is also a talented bestselling illustrator. His many drawings are cleverly executed and add to the pleasure of this tale. The series was co-written by Phil Bildner, who added information and interest with his snippets of descriptions of baseball terminology.


I am an avid baseball fan, so this was a sweet little picture for me into an earlier era when the game was still developing.