Click Here To Purchase From Amazon The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park.

Author: Paul Mullen

ISBN: 978-1-933197-30-2

The world of a 12-year old sixth grade youngster is very often filled with many challenges and is not always a smooth sail, as we learn from Paul Mullen’s debut young adult novel, The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park.

Mullen’s story takes us into the life of young Michael “Fuji” Powers, who is the youngest of his family consisting of three brothers, two sisters and parents, living fifteen miles east of Cincinnati. He was nicknamed “Fuji” because his brothers taunted him, claiming that he was adopted from Japanese royalty, as he didn’t bear a resemblance to anyone else in their family being small, short and around five-foot-three.

As the story gradually unfolds, we notice that what appears to be meaningless events eventually build up to an moving climax.

We immediately discover that all Michael ever wanted to do was play baseball and his ultimate goal was to one- day play at his dream baseball park, Great American Ball Park, the official base ball-stadium of the Cincinnati Reds. And he would be the last of his brothers to have a shot at playing in this great baseball park.

Michael’s big opening to realize his dreams arrives when he tries out and makes the Withamsville-Tobasco “WT” Cardinals, a class “C” ball club that for fifteen years had been perennial Clermont County champs. This was most likely the first big challenge he ever faced in his young life for he had to prove to his overbearing father as well as his sometimes annoying brothers and friends that even the smallest kid who has the will and love for baseball can live out his dream. Michael was also love-struck with thirteen-year old Cathy Stuckman who could hold in her own as a ballplayer with any of her male classmates. Cathy was a little older and a head taller than Michael, however this did not deter him from chasing after her. However, unfortunately, Michael had to compete with his fifteen-year-old brother Dave, or as he was nicknamed “Salty,” for Cathy’s affection.

Sadly, Michael’s first game with the Withamsville-Tobasco “WT” Cardinals was not exactly his finest. To add insult to injury not only was he ridiculed by some of his team mates for his pitiable performance but he was also subjected to some verbal and physical abuse from his father who reminded him that if it were not for him pulling a few strings, Michael would never had made the team.

Michael is also reprimanded for not being serious in understanding that this was his one shot to play on a major league field. Deeply upset and angry, Michael decides that he had enough, and possibly for the first time in his life, stands up to his father and shouts “It’s your dream, not mine, maybe I don’t want to live in this family anymore.” Upon hearing these words, Michael’s father, who is fuming, stops their van and shoves Michael out on the street. However, Michael’s mother’s maternal instincts take control and she hollers at her other son Billy to take Michael home on his brother’s Davey’s bicycle.

Notwithstanding the unrelenting bullying by one of Michael’s team –mates as well as the embarrassment he feels when his coach hauls him over the coals in front of his girlfriend Cathy, Michael does manage to improve his baseball skills during the course of the season.

His big break crops up when a ball squad from a higher league drafts the team’s superstar just prior to the final championship game.

The team’s coach now turns to Michael and calls upon him to replace their star player. You can well imagine the pressure placed on a twelve-year old when he is asked to fill the shoes of the team’s hero!

Mullen proves that he is quite adept at working a few threads with writing that is poignant, captivating and a pleasure to read.

The characterization of Michael is appealing to young as well as adult readers as we follow his quest in fulfilling his mission of not only playing at his dream baseball park but also becoming a hero to his team -mates, family, friends, and his girlfriend Cathy.  In addition, the story succeeds where so many similar books fail as Mullen educates his readers in depicting the realities of life with its ups and downs thus managing to make it not only a good yarn but also thought provoking in a way that kids will be able to relate on at least some level.

As a footnote, I would like to mention according to the publicity material I received, that Paul Mullen is on a mission to combat the illiteracy that exists among 6 million middle and high school students who are unable to read at basic reading levels. It is a problem, as he states, “that we as a society can’t afford to ignore.” The Day I Hit a Home Run at Great American Ball Park was crafted specifically to address illiteracy among these children. Apparently, the Archdiocese of Cincinnati has expressed a need for 30, 000 copies of the book, if funding can be found. Mullen is actively searching for donations and corporate sponsors to help make this and other placements of the book a reality.

 The above review was contributed by:  The Publisher & Editor of Bookpleasures.com, Norm Goldman, B.A. LL.L, Retired Title Attorney: Norm is also a travel writer and together with his artist wife, Lily, the couple meld Norm's words with Lily's art. To check out their travel site click on Sketchandtravel.com   Click here to view Norm’s Reviews & Interviews.

To read Norm's Interview With Paul Mullen CLICK HERE