The Fenway Foul-Up (Ballpark Mysteries #1)

by David A Kelly (Author) Mark Meyers (Illustrator)

Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade
Now leading off the line-up--book #1 in a brand-new early chapter book mystery series where each book is set in a different American ballpark. "The Fenway Foul-Up" includes a fun fact page about Boston's Fenway Park. Illustrations.
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ALA/Booklist

Folding information about Fenway Park and its colorful history into the tale, Kelly also artfully slips in simple red herrings along with real clues to the thief's identity and the bat's whereabouts that sharper readers may pick up before the young detectives do...Leading off a formulaic series that will take Mike and Kate to baseball parks around the major leagues, this book should draw baseball fans as well as budding whodunit aficionados.

Kirkus

Historical details about Fenway Park, including the secret code found on the manual scoreboard, a look at Wally the mascot and a peek into the gift shop, will keep the young baseball fan reading. 

Publishers Weekly

Kelly kicks off his Ballpark Mysteries series of early readers by introducing cousins and budding sleuths Mike Walsh and Kate Hopkins, who are trying to figure out who has stolen the lucky bat of a star Boston Red Sox player. While few readers will doubt whether Mike and Kate will save the day, Kelly throws in plenty of behind-the-scenes Fenway Park trivia (both in the story and in an appendix) and keeps the story moving at a quick pace, which should easily hold baseball-lovers' attention. Meyers contributes b&w artwork not seen by PW. Also available: The Pinstriped Ghost. Ages 6-9. (Feb.)

Copyright 2011 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

"...should score with the series chapter-book gang, particularly kids who enjoy the blend of fiction and information that keeps the Magic Tree House thriving. There are a couple of sly misdirections to please beginner mystery readers, some Fenway-specific trivia to intrigue nonfiction readers, and the promise of the entire gamut of major-league baseball stadiums yet to visit for those continuing with the series. A scattering of black-and-white pictures and appended "Dugout Notes" extend the fun." - The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

..".Any 6- 9 year old baseball fan would step to the plate and devour this book like a box of Crackerjacks! Kelly intersperses the perfect mix of sports action, crime-solving and facts about Fenway Park." - Examiner.com

David A Kelly
DAVID A. KELLY has written for many newspapers and magazines, and Babe Ruth and the Baseball Curse, published in spring 2009, was his first book for children. He lives 15 minutes from Fenway Park in Newton, Massachusetts, with his wife Alice; two sons, Steven and Scott; and a dog named Sam.

MARK MEYERS grew up in Utah and studied art in San Francisco at the Academy of Art University. This is his first project for Random House.
Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9780375867033
Lexile Measure
590
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Random House Books for Young Readers
Publication date
February 22, 2011
Series
Ballpark Mysteries
BISAC categories
JUV028000 - Juvenile Fiction | Mysteries, Espionage, & Detective Stories
JUV032010 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Baseball
JUV045000 - Juvenile Fiction | Readers | Chapter Books
Library of Congress categories
Baseball
Theft
Stealing
Mystery and detective stories
Cousins
Baseball stories
Fenway Park (Boston, Mass.)
Massachusetts Children's Book Award
Nominee 2014 - 2015

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