In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

Reviewed by:
  • The Fenway Foul-Up
  • Elizabeth Bush
Kelly, David A. The Fenway Foul-Up; illus. by Mark Meyers. Random House, 2011. 101p. (Stepping Stone Books) Library ed. ISBN 978-0-375-96703-0 $12.99 Paper ed. ISBN 978-0-375-86703-3 $4.99 E-book ed. ISBN 978-0-375-89816-7 $4.99 R Gr. 2-4.

Kate reaps a major benefit from her mother's job as sports reporter—an all-access pass that allows her and cousin Mike to roam the ballpark while Mom's in the press box. The Red Sox batting behemoth, Big D, loses his lucky bat shortly after batting practice, but fortunately for him, Kate and Mike are on the case, following a trail of sunflower-seed hulls, a shady grandpa with a suspicious poster tube, and a photographer with a tripod case that's just a little too convenient for stashing a purloined bat. As Big D struggles to stay afloat in the matchup with the Oakland A's, the kids race to restore the bat and save the game. While this debut of the Ballpark Mysteries series is unlikely to make the playoffs for literary awards, it 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. Programmatic? You bet. But hey, programmatic worked for Agatha Christie. [End Page 526]

...

pdf

Share