Screaming at the Ump

Casey Snowden lives with his father and grandfather at Behind the Plate, their family-run umpire training school in New Jersey. The 12-year-old spends his days surrounded by baseball and the art of making tough calls, even as he wrestles with his own decisions about his future. The school's latest class of umpire trainees arrives just as Casey starts seventh grade at a new middle school. He navigates friendships, a journalism assignment, and growing questions about his absent mother while helping his family run the unique institution. The arrival of a former MLB player at the school forces Casey to confront issues of truth, judgment, and integrity. His experiences at Behind the Plate and in his personal life intersect as he learns what it means to make the right call both on and off the field. This middle-grade novel explores themes of family bonds, growing up, and the complex nature of truth through the lens of America's pastime. The baseball setting serves as both backdrop and metaphor for larger questions about decision-making and responsibility.

Readers appreciate the authentic baseball details and umpire school setting, which creates a unique backdrop not often seen in middle-grade books. Multiple reviewers note the book's humor and the strong father-son relationship at its core. Strong points from readers: - Relatable middle school friendship dynamics - Educational aspects about umpiring and baseball rules - Balance of sports and family themes - Engaging male protagonist for young readers Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly in some sections - Baseball terminology can be confusing for non-fans - Some side characters lack development Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (258 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) One reader on Goodreads notes: "Perfect for kids who love baseball but aren't necessarily star athletes." An Amazon reviewer mentions: "The umpire school setting makes this stand out from typical sports fiction."

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🎯 The book's protagonist, Casey Snowden, lives at a baseball umpire school run by his father - one of only two such schools that existed in real life at the time of publication. ⚾ Author Audrey Vernick has written multiple acclaimed baseball-themed books, including "Brothers at Bat" and "She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story." 📖 The story explores themes of journalism ethics and truth-telling, as Casey must decide whether to publish a potentially career-damaging story about an umpire student. 🏫 The fictional Three Nations Umpire School in the book is inspired by real umpire training facilities like the Wendelstedt Umpire School in Florida. 🌟 Before becoming a children's book author, Vernick worked as a copywriter and earned an MFA in creative writing from Vermont College.