The Baseball Bat: Learning to Control Anger and Anxiety with Help from Gramps

This book is a combination of a compelling fiction story and a self-help book for anger and anxiety.In 1968, 10-year-old Tom Mochina struggles to make friends, fit in with his classmates and control his far-too-frequent angry outbursts. He dreams wishfully of becoming a star baseball player, being a top student in his class and attracting the cutest girls in town.He lives in suburban Michigan with his immigrant single mother, who works hard to provide for Tom, so he often spends afternoons playing catch by himself and batting rocks into the nearby woods. One day, he takes a break from his diligent baseball practice to explore the woods behind his house.He follow a trail down to the lake and meets a friendly neighbor, who he comes to know as Gramps. Tom and Gramps talk about school, baseball and love but Gramps helps Tom to understand his anger and anxiety in a way no one else has.Gramps gains Tom's trust as the two spend more time together. Through vividly real troubles, Tom grows to rely on Gramps advice about how to overcome his fears, control his anger and become the boy he really wants to be.

James Shaw was born in southeast Michigan and lived there through high school. He attended Alma College in Michigan and earned an MBA before getting his doctorate degree in clinical psychology. He's now president of Genuine Anger Management Institute. He's also an adjunct professor and works in private practice. He enjoys boating and spending time with his grandchildren. This is his fourth book. Others include Defensive End, Throw a Good Pass, and I'm So Glad.