Inside the Park

Gr 4-6–Imagine the 1990 film Home Alone set in a major league baseball stadium and you’ll have the gist of Williams’s engaging novel. Twelve-year-old catcher Timothy, who is Black, has been benched due to a batting slump. He’s troubled at home, too, feeling overlooked by his parents and lost among his four siblings who enjoy teasing their sensitive brother. Timothy’s dream? Playing in the majors for his beloved Nashville Wildcats. An unlikely series of events after a game lands Timothy locked inside their stadium overnight. After his initial shock, Timothy embraces the adventure and takes ownership of both the stadium and his future. He faces off with two bumbling thugs who have broken into the arena, intent on sabotaging the team's playoff hopes. Using stadium equipment to thwart the bad guys helps Timothy reclaim his batting mojo and his destiny to play in the majors. Through keenly observed characters and sharp dialogue, the book will resonate with readers, who will recognize their own sibling relationships and the enduring importance of family. Adding interest and depth are references to the Negro baseball league and its players: Timothy’s family nickname is “Pumpsie,” after Elijah “Pumpsie” Green, the first Black player on the Boston Red Sox, which was the last of the major league teams to integrate. Timothy’s unseen grandfather, a history professor and author, lectures on the Negro leagues. His wise advice, “the last shall be first,” leaves Timothy—and young readers—inspired.