
A parent might reach for this book for a child who loves the statistics and strategy of sports but is a reluctant fiction reader. It brilliantly bridges the gap between nonfiction sports stats and a magical adventure. The story follows Alex, whose fantasy baseball league with his sister, Cleo, takes a bizarre turn when their chosen players start performing exactly as they predict in real life. They discover their grandfather's old baseball cards hold a special magic. This book is a home run for kids aged 9-12, blending themes of teamwork, creative problem-solving, and sibling collaboration in a fun, fast-paced narrative that celebrates both imagination and a love for the game.
The book deals with the death of a grandparent, but it occurs before the story begins and is handled gently, as a backstory element. The magic is a legacy from him. The primary conflict is a competitive rivalry which includes some mild trash-talking and unsportsmanlike conduct, but it's resolved in a positive, character-building way. The approach is secular.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewThe ideal reader is a 9- to 12-year-old sports fanatic, particularly one who is into statistics, strategy, and fantasy leagues. It’s an excellent choice for a reluctant reader who devours sports almanacs but avoids fiction. It also appeals to kids who enjoy magical realism and 'what if' scenarios grounded in the real world.
No preparation is needed. The book does an excellent job of explaining the concepts of fantasy baseball for the uninitiated. It can be read cold. A fun, but optional, activity would be to look up the real-life players mentioned in the book to connect the fantasy to reality. A parent has a child who is obsessed with baseball or another sport, can recite endless statistics, but shows little interest in reading novels. The parent says, "I wish they would read a chapter book with as much passion as they read the sports page."
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the magic and the core wish-fulfillment fantasy of controlling their sports heroes. An older reader (11-12) will also enjoy the magic but will better appreciate the strategic elements of the fantasy league, the clever problem-solving, and the nuances of the sibling rivalry and partnership between Alex and Cleo.
Unlike most sports books that focus on an athlete's journey, this book uniquely focuses on the fan's experience. It elevates the strategic, analytical side of sports fandom through a magical lens, perfectly capturing the spirit of fantasy sports. It is essentially 'The Indian in the Cupboard' for the modern, ESPN-loving kid.
Eleven-year-old Alex is obsessed with baseball stats. When he and his younger sister, Cleo, start a fantasy baseball league, they're shocked to find that their players' real-life performance perfectly matches their fantasy roster choices. They discover that their late grandfather's vintage baseball cards are magical. This leads to an escalating, high-stakes rivalry with a neighborhood antagonist, Mitch, forcing Alex and Cleo to combine their wits, baseball knowledge, and sibling teamwork to win the ultimate fantasy championship.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.