Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This is one of my favorite books by Mike Lupica. It is about a boy named Hutch who is on a summer baseball team and is very good. Then a shortstop named Darryl comes and takes Hutch’s spot at short stop so they are always fighting and mad at eachother. Then they go to their “World Series” and Darryl and Hutch become teammates and good friends.

Goose is on the left, Duck is on the right.

I like to imagine that when we’re off to human work doing human things, they don’t just lie about sleeping. They are like Chester Cat from Bunnicula — they have intelligent conversations and read excellent literature.

Goose is the older brother, and although he’s very much a cat, I’ve always thought he acts like a dog — he’ll even beg for table scraps! Here he is, ready to pounce on some hamburgers we’ve cooked up:

His love for food is so great that it has overcome his modesty and belly. Long ago when Goose was a kitten, he was quite the active “sports kitten.” He would relentlessly chase laser lights and play with balls of twine. Now… well, check out this recent photo of him:

As he’s become accustomed to the cushy lifestyle Cindy has provided for him, he’s less of a “sports cat” and more of a sports fan — a sports fan who particularly enjoys snacking while watching the game. Which is why I know he’d love these two books from our food books theme and sports books theme, respectively: The Chocolate Touch by Patrick Skene Catling and Million-Dollar Throw by Mike Lupica:

But Goose isn’t just a meathead cat with sleep and food on his mind. He’s also a proud and sensitive soul — here he is, defending his home from the neighborhood bully:

Which is why I know he’d also enjoy Crash by Jerry Spinelli, all about Crash Coogan, a smug jock and bully who changes for the better.

When that mean neighborhood cat sneaked into our home, it upset Duck, Goose’s little sister, to no end. She’s always been a little skittish, and whenever someone new enters a room, she’ll run and hide:

When the humans aren’t home, I think Duck is spending all her time looking into conspiracy theories. I think she believes she’s a human, her brother thinks he’s a dog, and she’s spent her lifetime trying to figure it all out. So a book she would have read over and over would be The Doom Machine by Mark Teague:

But despite her… erm, unique theories, she’s still just a nerdy, shy, nervous kitten at heart — so someday she should pick up Ann M. Martin’s Mary Anne Saves the Day (BSC #4) and Libby on Wednesday by Zilpha Keatley Snyder.

These two books are all about two shy, smart, sensitive girls who eventually come out of their shells.

Perhaps one day I’ll go visit Duck and Goose and catch them with their reading glasses near the fireplace, curled up next to a good book, right before bed:

A rare moment where Duck doesn't run away. But she doesn't like having her photo taken, either!

Based on what I’ve told you about Duck and Goose, my eccentric feline nephew and niece, what books would you recommend to them?

— Nancy

Nancy spends quite a lot of time giving personalities to animate animals and inanimate objects. She loves to eat, sleep, and is a little bit skittish herself, too.

More about Nancy »

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This book is about a boy named Nate “Brady” who has a chance to win a million dollars at a patriots game. His best friend has an eye condition that someday she will go blind. Will Nate make the through and help his friend get her eyesight back?

Heat by Mike Lupica

The season may be over, but if you’re a baseball fan, you don’t have to wait until spring training to get your fix. Kidsmomo to the rescue! Just check out Heat, written by famous sports columnist Mike Lupica.

The book is about 12-year-old Michael Arroyo, who has an amazing arm and dreams of making it to the major leagues. And he’s already on his way as the star player for his little league team.

But then a rival team’s coach accuses him of being too old for the league. No problem, right? Michael can just show everyone his birth certificate, can’t he? Actually, no. Because his birth certificate is stuck in Cuba, and Michael is an orphan living with just his older brother — even though it’s against the law, it’s just the two of them fending for themselves. And no one can know, or else they’ll be sent to foster care, or worse, back to Cuba.

Oh, and did I mention that Michael has girl trouble too? (Of course he does.)

PLUS, with the recent World Series match-up, the timing couldn’t be better to pick up this book — it takes place in the Bronx, and Michael’s goal is to pitch in the Little League World Series at Yankee Stadium! So if you’re a Yankees fan, then you can continue your celebrations, and if you’re a Yankees hater, then you can get worked up all over again. Either way, you’ll at least root for Michael.

Don’t believe me? Read an action-packed excerpt from the book for yourself, or check out these book trailers made by Heat fans:

This one was created by J.C. at Dowdell Middle Magnet School — minor spoiling warning!

Of course, if you’ve read Heat already, add your voice to the mix! You don’t have to make your own video (dude, we’re not slave drivers here); just leave a comment with your opinion on the book.

— Karen