Honus & Me

Joe Stoshack, a young baseball enthusiast who struggles on the field, discovers an ultra-rare 1909 T-206 Honus Wagner baseball card while cleaning his neighbor's attic. The card, known as the most valuable baseball card in existence, leads him to a confrontation with a deceptive card shop owner. Through an unexpected turn of events, Joe finds himself transported through time where he meets Honus Wagner himself. The legendary shortstop becomes Joe's mentor, sharing wisdom about baseball and life while taking him on a journey to the 1909 World Series. During their adventure together, Joe experiences the golden age of baseball firsthand and learns valuable lessons about believing in himself. The story combines historical baseball facts with elements of fantasy, weaving together the past and present. The novel explores themes of self-discovery, perseverance, and the timeless connection between generations of baseball players and fans. It stands as both a sports story and a coming-of-age tale that celebrates America's pastime.

Readers rate this book highly for getting kids excited about baseball history while incorporating time travel adventure. Parents and teachers note it works well for reluctant readers in grades 3-6. Likes: - Makes baseball card collecting interesting to modern kids - Strong blend of history and fiction - Clear, straightforward writing style - Appeals to both sports fans and non-sports fans - Teaches about Honus Wagner without feeling educational Dislikes: - Some found the time travel premise unrealistic - A few readers wanted more historical detail - Several mentioned the story moves slowly in parts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (2,700+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (230+ ratings) Scholastic: 4.5/5 (100+ ratings) "My reluctant reader son couldn't put it down" appears frequently in parent reviews. Teachers often praise it as a strong choice for baseball-themed units or historical fiction lessons.

Million Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica A middle school quarterback finds his path intertwined with an NFL star through a contest that could win him a million dollars while teaching him about sports, life, and what matters.

The Trading Game by Alfred Slote A young baseball card collector learns lessons about friendship and integrity when he discovers a rare card that changes his life.

Baseball Card Adventures: Jackie & Me by Dan Gutman A boy uses a magical baseball card to travel through time and meet Jackie Robinson, experiencing firsthand the challenges and triumphs of breaking baseball's color barrier.

The Rookie by Scott Sigler A student discovers he has a chance to become the first teenager to play professional football through a futuristic sports program that tests his physical and mental limits.

Last Shot by John Feinstein Two young reporters uncover a point-shaving scheme at the Final Four basketball tournament while learning about sports journalism and investigative reporting.

🏆 The T206 Honus Wagner card featured in the book is the most valuable baseball card in the world, with one selling for $7.25 million in 2022. ⚾ Hall of Famer Honus Wagner, nicknamed "The Flying Dutchman," played 21 seasons (1897-1917) and was one of the first five players inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame. 📚 Author Dan Gutman has written over 160 books for children, with more than 40 million copies sold worldwide. 🎯 The Baseball Card Adventures series includes 12 books, each featuring a different baseball legend, from Jackie Robinson to Babe Ruth. 🎬 The book was adapted into a TV movie titled "The Winning Season" in 2004, starring Matthew Modine as Honus Wagner and Mark Rendall as Joe Stoshack.