The Funniest Man in Baseball: The True Story of Max Patkin

by Audrey Vernick (Author) Jennifer Bower (Illustrator)

The Funniest Man in Baseball: The True Story of Max Patkin
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade

A hilarious picture book biography about Max Patkin, a professional ballplayer turned legendary baseball clown, from the author of the acclaimed Brothers at Bat and other baseball nonfiction.

Max Patkin was pitching in the minor leagues when he was injured and had to leave his dreams behind. He joined the Navy and eventually was able to play again while in the military . . . and this time he got to pitch against superstar Joe DiMaggio. When Joe hit one of Max's throws out of the park, Max threw down his glove, left the mound, and chased Joe around the bases, making faces and imitating his every move. The crowd loved it! And a baseball clown was born.

This inspiring and comical biography carries an important message: Life doesn't always turn out exactly as you hope . . . but moving in a new direction can sometimes bring happy surprises.

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$17.99

School Library Journal

K-Gr 3—Vernick (The Kid From Diamond Street: The Extraordinary Story of Baseball Legend Edith Houghton) has hit another home run with this enjoyable account of baseball clown Max Patkin. As a young boy, Patkin longed to be a major league player. An injury ended his playing career but he pitched for a navy team during World War II. After giving up a home run to Joe DiMaggio, Patkin followed DiMaggio around the bases mimicking him and making faces. A career was born, and Patkin spent the next 50 years entertaining crowds at minor league games. Vernick's delightful prose combines with Bower's cartoon illustrations to ensure an engaging read—the opening sentence alone will hook kids ("Did you hear the one about the pitcher who walked into a ballpark?"). Photographs and references are included in the back. VERDICT A welcome addition to public and school libraries alike.—Margaret Nunes, Gwinnett County Public Library, GA

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Publishers Weekly

Growing up, Max Patkin had big baseball dreams, but was also "a funny guy, a goofy guy, always looking for a laugh." In this picture book biography, Vernick (Brothers at Bat) details Patkin's brief career as a ballplayer, first in the minor leagues and then with a team of enlisted players during WWII. During one game, he pitches against, then pokes fun at Joe DiMaggio, earning a reputation as a jokester in the process. A shoulder injury forces Patkin to retire from the game, but his talents as an entertainer land him an official role as a "baseball clown" and performer in the big leagues. Vernick writes in energetic prose that is well matched to debut illustrator Bower's cartoons, which depict Patkin's exaggerated movements and clownlike expressions on and off the field. Readers learn little about Patkin's personal life, though a quote from Patkin provides insight into how he felt about the unconventional role he filled: "In my heart I would have rather been a big-league baseball player. But then I'd have never made so many people happy." An author's note includes photographs and additional insight into Patkin's life and outsize personality. Ages 6-9. (Apr.)

Copyright 2018 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"Vernick has hit another home run with this enjoyable account of baseball clown Max Patkin."—School Library Journal

"A loving homage to the last baseball clown."—Kirkus

"Vernick writes in energetic prose that is well matched to debut illustrator Bower's cartoons, which depict Patkin's exaggerated movements and clownlike expressions on and off the field."—Publishers Weekly

"He's a jolly subject, and Vernick's lively text gives him full due."—Bulletin for the Center of Children's Books

Audrey Vernick

Audrey Vernick is the author of several picture books as well as the middle grade novel Water Balloon. She lives in Ocean, New Jersey. Please visit her at www.audreyvernick.com.

Steven Salerno has illustrated many picture books, several of which he wrote. This is his first about baseball. He lives in New York City. Visit him at www.stevensalerno.com.

Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9780544813779
Lexile Measure
940
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Clarion Books
Publication date
April 03, 2018
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF025210 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/20th Century
JNF007060 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Performing Arts
JNF054010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Sports & Recreation | Baseball & Softball
JNF007100 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Sports & Recreation
Library of Congress categories
United States
Baseball players
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiograp
JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / United States
Clowns
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Humor / General
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Sports & Recreation / B
Patkin, Max

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