Cairo Kelly and the Mann - Softcover

Butcher, Kristin

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1551432110 ISBN 13: 9781551432113

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers, 2002

Synopsis

Thirteen-year-old Kelly Romani is a renowned troublemaker and a Little League pitching phenomenon. With the playoffs approaching and scouting interest heating up, Kellyís future, while not assured, looks bright. Unfortunately, his independent streak and his willingness to take on authority usually land Kelly and his best friend Midge in trouble. When the boysí favorite umpire Hal Mann refuses to take a certification exam and is barred from officiating, Kelly and Midge decide that they must take a stand. Risking disqualification and disgrace, the boys attempt to force the league to reconsider its decision. As the situation becomes more desperate the boys learn the truth behind their friendís refusal to take the exam. The Mann is only convinced to change his mind when he realizes what else is at stake. Both boys learn some valuable lessons in doing the right thing, standing up for what you believe in and expecting the best from others. Along the way they also manage to teach the adults in their lives a few lessons.

About this title

About the Author

Kristin Butcher taught a variety of different subjects from primary school to high school before becoming an author. She credits her experience in the classroom with both helping her understand children and teens better, as well as making her a whiz at Trivial Pursuit. Kristin lives in Campbell River, British Columbia. For more information, visit www.kristinbutcher.com.

From Booklist

Gr. 4-8. In a lively first-person voice, middle-schooler Midge recounts how he and his best friend, Kelly, get several baseballinspired lessons in life. When their team's favorite umpire, Hal Mann, is disqualified for refusing to take a written baseball rule test, Kelly and Midge lead a players' strike. But "the Mann's" refusal hides a larger secret--illiteracy. As the boys try to address Mann's problem and get him reinstated, they face moral dilemmas before the tidy conclusion. A number of contrivances overwhelm the plot--Midge's father's prominent position in the league; an unpleasant neighbor who turns out to be the Mann's salvation--but the story has its attractions. The baseball is exciting, Mann's secret is sensitively handled, and the contrasting family dynamics between Kelly's looser, single-parent home and Midge's strict environment is edifying rather than cartoonishly overdrawn. Francisca Goldsmith
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

About this edition

• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 1551432110
• ISBN 13: 9781551432113
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 176