Goodbye, Mr. Spalding by Jennifer Robin Barr
Published by Calkins Creek Books on March 26th 2019
ISBN: 1684371783
Pages: 272
Goodreads

Take me out to the ballgame, to any ball park, in any city and this reader is happy.  Barr’s first middle age novel is a winner for any age reader who loves baseball and especially for those who appreciate the history of American’s favorite sport.  All of the characters show their love of the game but more important is their place within the family and community.   Jimmy and Lola have a friendship that is built on mutual respect and caring, something not frequently found in a relationship of a 12 year old boy and girl.  Relationships of family members, neighbors and classmates feel honest and valued.  This book brings to life some of the issues during the Great Depression and how it affected those who loved the game of baseball.  The old photos and Author’s Notes are an added bonus.

Add this to all middle school media centers and to public library collections.   Goodbye, Mr. Spalding is an excellent choice for students assigned the genre of historical fiction.  It is also going to gain a following with preteen boys and girls who adore our favorite American pastime.

 

Submitted by Jan Hamilton, retired youth services librarian in Scarborough, ME