A Topps League Story: Book Four: The 823rd Hit
Written by Kurtis Scaletta
Illustrated by Eric Wright
Teddy “Bear” Larrabee, a slugger on the Pine City Porcupines, gets his 823rd base hit on his birthday, August 23—and it’s a home run! The Bear is a big believer in the power of numbers, so he asks Pines batboy Chad to retrieve the ball from the stands. There’s only one problem: the crabby fan in the ballpark who caught it. Chad really wants to keep the Bear happy and slugging, so he’s just got to figure out what the fan would be willing to trade for that 823rd ball.
The 823rd Hit is a book in a Topps League Story series. The book features the adventures, and misadventures, of the Pine City Porcupines and their two batboys: Chad, an avid baseball fan with a huge baseball card collection, and Dylan, who doesn’t know a thing about the sport. The fictional series has a unique twist: Chad solves problems by using information from Topps cards of real figures from modern baseball history.
This fun easy-to-read chapter book will engage readers through its illustrations as well as interesting, mystery type story line.
Children at the third grade reading level may find the book challenging, but accessible enough to enjoy reading it. The 823rd Hit will re-enforce reading level skills as well as comprehension skills. Third grade readers will want to read this story because it tells the story of friends, it involves a problem that the characters need to solve and it has a happy ending.
For children at the third grade reading level, this book is perfect as an early chapter book. Kids will feel accomplished by reading a chapter book that they can understand and follow. Teachers can use this book to reinforce story telling techniques. The book can be used in group discussions of friendship, problem solving techniques, and sportsmanship.
This book is an excellent addition to any classroom or school library.
Title: The 823rd Hit- Author: Kurtis Scaletta
- Illustrator: Eric Wight
- Publisher: Abrams Books
- Reviewer: Alessandra Oliveira
- Hardcover: 105 pages
- ISBN: 978-1-4197-0446-8
- Genre: Fiction
