The Kid Who Only Hit Homers

by Matt Christopher

Book Overview

Over one million copies sold

Sylvester loves baseball, but he isn't what you'd call a good hitter. When he meets George Baruth, Sylvester goes from being a terrible hitter to the boy who hit only homers But how will he answer some of the difficult questions that go with his new talent? And what is the true meaning of success?

This beloved story about baseball, confidence, perseverance, and being a good teammate is a modern...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0316139874
• ISBN13: 9780316139878
• Release Date: July 1986
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
• Length: 151 Pages
• Weight: 0.25 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.9" x 7.6"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

A kid's dream comes true, and a book gets banned.

The Kid Who Only Hit Homers, by Matt Christopher, tells of a young boy who desperately wants to play baseball for his school. Unfortunately, he is neither a good fielder nor a skilled hitter. He quits tryouts and decides not to play. On the final day of tryouts, the mysterious George Baruth approaches him. This man teaches Sylvester how to field and hit a homerun every time. (spoiler) Everyone starts to ask him questions about this mysterious man and how Sylvester hits a homerun each time he goes to bat. (spoiler)These actions go on throughout the book (spoiler) Sylvester changes in several ways throughout the book. His skills as a baseball player increase dramatically. This leads to the improvement of his self-confidence, which allows him to feel more comfortable with himself. This book was banned because of Snooky Malone's belief in everyone's being born under a star, which some readers interpret as ant-Christian. I think that this book shouldn't have banned. (spoiler)

A childhood classic

This was my favorite book for a time when I was about seven or eight. I read all the Matt Christopher books and this one was the only one I read more than once. Where as all his other books are pretty realistic tales where a kid learns an important life lesson from sports, this one is different in that it is is more of a fairy tale - kind of like magical realism for kids.It's exciting enough to read about a kid who only hits homers but the book becomes even more interesting as a meditation on the meaning of success. The fact that I still remember this book at all is a true testament to how enjoyable it was. Buy it for your kid - among childrens literature, this book is a true classic.

THE BOOK WAS AWESOME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I suggest this book especially if u LOVE baseball... & even if u don't heck you'll still love it.I think it's right up there with the best-selling book...the BIBLE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great Book!

Growing up this was my favorite book. Every kid who is interested in sports shpuld read it.

The book was great!

Sylvester loved baseball, but he wasn't what you'd call a good hitter. He had already decided against joining the Redbirds when he met George Baruth. He said, " I'm going to help you become one of the best players ever." Before long Sylvester was hitting homers every time he was up to bat. But troubling questions come, like who is Mr. Baruth.The book was great. It had good detail and the story was like it was based on a true story. If you like baseball it's a great book to read.