Say It Ain’t So by Josh Berk (review)

Lenny, Mike, and Other Mike, fresh from solving an MLB murder mystery (Strike Three You’re Dead, BCCB 4/13), are settling into seventh grade, with Mike trying out for catcher on the school team, Other Mike obsessing over computer games, and Lenny snagging an announcer gig in the newly built booth on the ballfield. Lenny’s position allows him to witness the latest team drama, as the thuggish current catcher, Davis, is tossed off the team for stealing a cell phone, and Mike slides into his vacated position. Other Mike, whose social filters aren’t very reliable, actually befriends the disgraced Davis, who swears he’s been framed—and it’s possible he has and that Mike is the culprit. There’s even more foul play as it becomes clear that somebody has been stealing Mike’s signals, causing his cocky but talented pitcher to plummet from superstar to goat. Once again, Lenny’s on the case, and with a bit of assistance from the local librarian (who, as in the debut title, gets major props for excellent patron service), tracks down the thieves and saves the season. The trio is just as endearing this time around, bantering, arguing, forgiving and readily forgetting their way through new configurations of seventh-grade life that put pressure on their friendship. Lenny’s narrative flights play out as well-crafted stand-up comedy routines, making this series as attractive to humor fans as to baseball and mystery lovers.