Return of the Home Run Kid Book

Sylvester's baseball has been so dismal that the coach has him warming the bench. So when Cheeko offers to show him a few pointers, he eagerly accepts his offer. But Sylvester can't help thinking there's something fishy about Cheeko.

Publishers Weekly

The prolific Christopher has written yet another action-packed sports story, this one a sequel to The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. A new baseball season has started, but Sylvester Coddmyer III is not hitting homeruns like last year. In fact, he is hardly hitting the ball at all, until mysterious Cheeko appears and teaches Syl about aggression on the field. Though the boy begins to play well, he cannot help but question Cheeko's advice and is even more confused when his evasive coach from last season appears and advises him differently. Ultimately Syl must make his own decisions about how to play the game. This tale aptly explores the intangible aspects of baseball: attitude, confidence, camaraderie and respect. The author successfully balances sizzling play-by-play accounts of games with brief, general descriptions, thus creating a quick-paced story that vividly captures the sport's sights, sounds and spirit. With many facets of his life addressed, Syl becomes a believable and likable protagonist. Ages 8-12. (May)