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School Library Journal
Reviewed on April 1, 2009
Gr 5-8 In this prequel to "The Boy Who Saved Baseball" (Philomel, 2003), once again the fate of a baseball-loving town rests on the outcome of an epic game. In the 1880s, orphaned Jack, 12, is riding west to seek out his long-lost uncle Long John Dillon, a mine owner in California. Dillontown began as a boomtown, but with its gold seemingly tapped out, the townsfolk have pinned their hopes on their mighty baseball team led by C...Log In or Sign Up to Read More
Horn Book Guide
Reviewed on January 1, 2009
Ritter deftly sets this sports story in the Wild West, whipping up a quick-moving tall tale full of unexpected twists. Billy the Kid...Log In or Sign Up to Read More
Junior Library Guild
Reviewed on May 1, 2009
Inventive, engaging, and flat-out fun, The Desperado Who Stole Baseball is a tall tale starring a tall-tale teller. As Jack Dillon rides alone across the desert, he may not have much more than his wits, but that’s plenty. His oversized boasts (“I practically invented baseball”) are entertaining and endearing; they even win over Billy the Kid. In Dillontown, Jack hopes to meet John Dillon, who he believes is his long-lost uncle. When Jack, who’s white, sees that John is African American, he’s surprised, but he still thinks they could b...Log In or Sign Up to Read More