Baseball practice needs a flat open space,
so the city park is a great place!
But sharing the outfield with the zoo can be beastly!
Nick and his buddies love baseball, practicing whenever and wherever they can (no Little League yet in Wisconsin in 1948). They’re thrilled when the new owner of the town’s pro team promises a chance for kids to be on the field for opening day! (or is it just for boys?)
Read the first chapter here to meet Nick and the rhino (free, courtesy of the publisher), then head to your local library or independent bookstore for the rest of the story.
Your close encounter with unusual animals and/or minor league baseball?
**kmm
Book info: The Rhino in Right Field / Susan DeKeyser. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2018. [author site] [publisher site] Review copy and cover image courtesy of the publisher.
My book talk: For the chance to be Mudpuppy batboy for day, 12-year-old Nick will do anything – work harder in Pop’s shoe repair shop, help uncle Spiro with mysterious errands – as the baseball team’s new owner plans an extravaganza for Opening Day.
That bully Pete thinks he’ll be chosen batboy, but Nick can win this contest based on essay-writing and baseball skills – if only his Pop would sign the permission slip… hmmm
He and Ace practice fielding with Penny (wow, can she throw!), hoping Nick’s baseball won’t wind up in the rhino enclosure (again).
His Greek immigrant father is sure that working hard in the family shop is Nick’s destiny, but Uncle Spiro wants to make his own way in post-World War II Wisconsin.
Where will Nick be on Opening Day – in the Mudpuppy dugout or listening on the radio in the shoe shop?
Declared 
Of course, she will scoop this summer!
Accepted to Harvard? Check.
Waiting for that car to return from the hanging forest,
Faking death without dying?
Why does she have to run the household instead of writing?
