Week 7 – Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Books for Adults DB 88118 Beartown, book 1 by Fredrik Backman Annotation: In the isolated Swedish town of Beartown, the residents' hopes are pinned on the local amateur hockey team winning the championships. When the team's star is accused of raping the coach's daughter, it threatens to tear the town apart. Translated from the 2016 Swedish. Some violence, some strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2017.

DB 84600 The Flood girls by Richard Fifield Annotation: Nine years after her mother kicked her out, Rachel Flood returns to her tiny Montana hometown. She's in AA now, but locals still remember Rachel's wild ways. When her mom is injured, Rachel takes her place on the local softball team, the Flood Girls. Strong language and some descriptions of sex. 2016.

DB 13822 The year the Yankees lost the pennant by Douglass Wallop Annotation: Joe, a middle-aged baseball fan, strikes a a bargain with the Mr. Applegate, an agent of the Devil, who offers him the opportunity to become the greatest outfielder of all time for his favorite team, the Washington Senators. Delighted with the prospect of beating the Yankees, Joe ignores the darker eternal aspects of the bargain he has struck with the mysterious Mr. Applegate.

DB 87116 Selection Day by Arawind Adiga Annotation: Two young brothers from the slums of Mumbai, Manju and Radha, both have a talent for cricket. They must deal with the high expectations of their controlling father, who is obsessed with the sport and believes cricket is the family's ticket to social advancement. Some strong language. 2016.

DB 81005 The Sweetheart by Angelina Mirabella Annotation: Philadelphia, 1953. Leonie Putzkammer wants more from life than waiting tables and living with her widowed father. But when a wrestling promoter comes to town, she throws her hat in the ring and becomes the Sweetheart, Gorgeous Gwen Davies. Some strong language. 2014. DB 74690 Calico Joe by John Grisham Annotation: In 1973 Chicago Cubs record-breaking rookie Joe Castle from Calico Rock, Arkansas, steps up to bat against New York Mets pitcher Warren Tracey--and the outcome changes both their lives. Decades later Warren is dying, and his son Paul tries to bring the two ballplayers back together. Bestseller. 2012.

DB 49947 Horse heaven by Jane Smiley Annotation: In two years on the horse racing circuit, anything can happen, both on and off the track. Smiley's kaleidoscopic novel recounts the lives of owners, trainers, jockeys, and others involved in the daily activities of owning, caring for, and racing horses. Explicit descriptions of sex and strong language. Bestseller. 2000.

DB 66787 The art of racing in the rain by Garth Stein Annotation: Enzo, a mixed-breed dog, believes he will be reincarnated as a human. He stands by his master Denny Swift's side through Denny's race-car driving career, the birth of his daughter Zo, the death of his wife Eve, and a bitter custody battle with Eve's parents. Some strong language. Bestseller. 2008.

DBC15009 Phog Allen: The father of basketball coaching by Blair Kerhoff Annotation: Forrest C. ("Phog") Allen overcame the argument of James Naismith, inventor of the game, that basketball didn't need a coach. Allen served (for a while under Naismith) at the University of Kansas as coach from 1907 to 1909 and from 1919 to 1956, and as Athletic Director from 1919 to 1937, also heading the Physical Education Department for a time. Kansas City Star Sportswriter Kerkhoff has written an evenhanded yet generally laudatory story of a highly controversial figure who spoke his mind even when his words spelled trouble for him. He attacked some of his faculty colleagues in the KU Medical School, who objected to having a department head with a degree in osteopathy, carried on a running battle with the National Collegiate Athletic Association and stubbornly clung to his opinion --never heeded -- that the basket should be raised from 10 to 12 feet above court.

DB 95179 108 stitches, loose threads, ripping yards, and the darndest characters from my time in the game by Ron Darling Annotation: A former pitcher with teams including the New York Mets who went on to a long career in broadcasting and writing about baseball shares stories from the game. Includes vignettes about some of the hundreds of players he encountered on and off the field. Some strong language. 2019. DB 95858 All the way: My life in four quarters by Joe Willie Namath Annotation: Memoir of the Hall of Fame quarterback who shot to stardom when he led the New York Jets to an underdog victory in the 1969 Super Bowl game against the Baltimore Colts. As he recalls each quarter of that game, he also shares details of his personal life. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

DB 95229 Rough magic: Riding the world’s loneliest horse race by Laura Prior- Palmer Annotation: At nineteen, the author entered an annual endurance event where dozens of riders race wild ponies across 1,000 kilometers of the Mongolian steppes. She describes the grueling days that she rode through heat and storms in her bid to become the race's first female winner. Some strong language. Commercial audiobook. 2019.

Books for Kids and Teens DBC02487 Speed by Nathan Clement Annotation: Revving up behind a pace car, a competitive group of stock cars takes off with a wave of the green flag and engages in an action-packed race filled with squealing tires, bumps, spins, and rushing support crews. For preschool-grade 2.

DB 68601 Football Genius, book 1 by Tim Green Annotation: Sixth-grader Troy can predict football plays before they occur and wants to use this ability to help his favorite team, the Atlanta Falcons. But first he has to convince the team to take him seriously. For grades 5-8. 2007.

DB 96268 Up for air by Laurie Morrison Annotation: School is difficult for Annabelle, but the summer after seventh grade swimming with the high school team is fantastic--until she ends up over her head. For grades 5-8. 2019.

DB 74747 Able to play: Overcoming physical challenges by Glenn Stout Annotation: Profiles four professional baseball players: pitcher Mordecai Brown, who lost a finger in a farming accident; third baseman Ron Santo, who dealt with diabetes throughout his career; pitcher Jim Abbott, who was born without his right hand; and outfielder Curtis Pride, who was born deaf. For grades 3-6. 2012. DB 94447 Heroine by Mindy McGinnis Annotation: When a car crash sidelines Mickey just before softball season, she's determined to hold on to her spot on the team. She believes the painkillers she's been prescribed can help--until things spiral out of control. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2019.

DB 87582 Velocity by Chris Wooding Annotation: Cassica and Shiara have grown up in Coppermouth, a dust-choked town in the Outback, but now they hope to use their driver and mechanic skills to take on the Widowmaker, an off-road rally through some of the most dangerous places on Earth. Commercial audiobook. For grades 6-9 and older readers. 2017. DB 76347 Grace, gold and glory: My leap of faith by Gabrielle Douglas Annotation: Autobiography of Olympic gold-medal gymnast Gabrielle Douglas. Recounts her early life in Virginia, her professional training in Iowa, and the sacrifices she and her family made to support her dream. Credits her faith and family for her success at the 2012 London games. For senior high and older readers. 2012. DB 68072 Balls! by Michael J. Rosen Annotation: Features the history and construction of balls used in basketball, soccer, football, tennis, handball, golf, volleyball, and table tennis (ping pong). Discusses each ball's design and odd facts, including information about the associated sport. For grades 4-7. 2006.