16th September 2014, MB Publishing, 134 pages, Ebook, Review Copy
Themes: friendship,
ghosts, time travel, baseball,
Content: slight
spookiness, some humour
Summary from MB Publishing
Twelve-year-old April O'Day's summer has gotten off to a flying
start. As the new bat retriever for the Harpoons, her hometown's minor
league team, she's fetching bats and doling out great advice to players
and coaches alike. In a word, she's becoming indispensable. But
mysterious things are happening at Haney Field, which April and her best
friend - and fellow baseball enthusiast - Darren Plummer are determined
to uncover. As they quickly learn, this is no ordinary season. In fact,
it's a whole new ball game.
Nayu's thoughts
Please
don’t be put off by April being sports mad. Okay, I didn’t
understand a lot of it as I’m not into sport at all, and at first
sometimes it felt that there was too much technical jargon, but with
the glossary at the front (far better than being at the back when you
only see it once you’ve finished the book) and the intriguing
action which goes on this is an ace read. Yes, is a baseball nerd. I
think it’s pretty incredible how she gets her ‘job’, and its
hard to find words when she discovered the mystery at the baseball
ground.
Initially
I was freaked out by the shadows and questioned why I was reading the
book, but thankfully I didn’t put it down and was soon captivated
in April’s search to find out what happened. I liked all the
tension when one main character acted out of character, because it
hindered April & Darren’s investigation somewhat. Through
April’s knowledge and skill she is rewarded with certain privileges
which were totally cool! I think it sends a positive message to find
what you’re passionate about, and nurture that enthusiasm because
you never know where it will take you. I’m left wondering if there
will be a book 2 for April – I really I can see her in action both
on and off the field!
Find out more on R M's website.
Question & Answer session with R M Clark
Nayu here! It was a real pleasure finding more about April's adventure with R M Clark, who's written a fun book and who gets added to my growing list of friendly authors ^o^
Nayu 1)
What made you make tell the tale from April's point of view instead
of Darren's? That is the only reason why I wanted to read the book,
because it was from a girl's point of view.
R M: I
wanted a different approach to a baseball-based story. I see no
reason why a girl can't be as involved in and know as much about
baseball past and present as a boy. When I first pitched this book, I
had many agents tell me no one would be interested in baseball story
from the viewpoint of a girl, which is probably why it was rejected a
few hundred times! I refused to make a gender switch and eventually,
I found an agent and publisher who "got" April's story.
Thanks, folks!
Nayu 2)
Okay, the other reason I wanted to read the book was because for some
obscure reason I really enjoy reading about sport mad girls, despite
not enjoying watching sport being played. (The same goes for horses,
adore reading about them, just not being near them or watching them).
There is a fair amount of terminology and 'sport speak' in the book,
but there's something which makes April's adventure so much more. Was
it one of your aims to make the book appeal to readers who aren't
that bothered about sport?
R M: Certainly.
I like to say that this is not a "baseball book", but
rather a story of redemption set at a minor league facility. Sure,
April is a "savant" of the game, but what she really
understands is people, even more than most of the adults. She seems
to know what players are going through and how to help them. She can
match wits with the Harpoons' crusty manager one day and the elderly
owner the next. I tried to keep the baseball jargon to a minimum, but
we did add a glossary to help with some of the terminology.
Nayu: 3)
I confess that I was more than a little freaked out when April first
saw the shadows (I think I can say that without any major spoilers),
and that was with me reading in daylight. I was pretty relieved when
the truth was uncovered, which lead to a lot of investigation by
April and Darren. Why did you choose to look at that particular time
in baseball history?
R M: The
Negro Leagues had some of the most talented, yet underappreciated
baseball players ever to grace the diamond. It was worth reminding
the readers of the struggles so many of the Negro Leagues player went
through, like segregation, prejudice, poor transportation and
facilities, low pay, and little or no chance of making the majors.
It's a stark contrast to the modern amenities of current professional
players and only a 12-year-old girl and her friend are able to make
the connection.
Nayu: 4)
You touched on an important current topic with April's dad's
situation. I was surprised that he wasn't caught by the authorities
at the end - had you considered that happening at all? Will there be
a book 2?
R M: Unfortunately,
everything he did (going on and staying on disability) was perfectly
legal. I even based him on a composite of people I know who have
worked the system for many years. If only the real-life folks would
have an epiphany like April's dad!
As
for book 2, I have considered it and I even have a few notes
scratched out somewhere. I think April is ready to move on from bat
retriever and become a baseball scout.
Nayu: 5)
Where is your favourite place to write? What kind of food and drink
to you like to keep you going?
R M: I
sit on a rather uncomfortable stool in my kitchen when I write, which
keeps me focused on the task at hand. I prefer not to be distracted
by any kind of sustenance. One might even say I suffer for my craft.
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