Inside the Park - by Andrea Williams (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

From Andrea Williams, the bestselling author of We Are Family with LeBron James, comes Inside the Park, a funny kids book about a young baseball fan's misadventures after getting locked inside a pro baseball stadium on the eve of the biggest game of the season.

In this all-new, hilarious, action-packed middle grade sports fiction tale, Timothy "Pumpsie" Strickland, a baseball-loving twelve-year-old, is about to step up to the plate for the biggest swing of his life.

Pumpsie needs a win. Or to be more precise, he needs the Nashville Wildcats to win. Pumpsie's been waiting his entire life--twelve whole years!--for his favorite team to make it to the playoffs. And this year--finally!--they're just one win away.

But when Pumpsie accidentally gets trapped in Lookout Field the night before the last game of the season, with only a lost dog named Campy for company, he may have accidentally stumbled into the best night of his life. For a baseball fan like Pumpsie, using the pro batting cages, running the bases, playing with the public address system, and eating all the concession-stand junk food he can find is a dream come true . . . until he realizes he's not alone in the stadium. Foul plots are brewing beneath Lookout Field, and now it's on Pumpsie to swallow his fears, gum up his courage, and swing for the fences if he wants to save the Wildcats' postseason chances.

Inside the Park is a fun-filled, action-packed slice of wish fulfillment that's perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green or any kid who's ever closed their eyes and imagined stepping up to the plate with the game tied and the season on the line.

To save his team, Pumpsie will have to face more than just an empty stadium.

• An Action-Packed Adventure: When twelve-year-old Pumpsie Strickland gets locked in a pro stadium, he finds himself in a race against time to stop a plot against his favorite team, the Nashville Wildcats.
• An Unlikely Friendship: Trapped with only a lost dog named Campy for company, Pumpsie finds a furry best friend who helps him find his courage.
• Overcoming Fears: From freezing at the plate to facing down saboteurs, Pumpsie must learn to swing for the fences, both in baseball and in life.
• A Middle Grade Baseball Story: Perfect for young fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green, this funny and heartfelt novel is packed with play-by-plays, stadium hijinks, and the love of the game.

Review Quotes

"This warm, lively story has an irresistible protagonist and skillfully blends sports and family life. Williams' depiction of a close-knit African American family is marked by humor and rich cultural details. A delightful, action-packed, and satisfying read!" - Kirkus Reviews

"With broad appeal beyond baseball, this is a delightful coming-of-age story with humor, honesty, and heart." - School Library Journal