Samurai Shortstop - Softcover

At a time when Japan is eager to shed ancient traditions, Toyo is caught up in the new sport of baseball, but when his father decides to teach him the way of the samurai, Toyo grows to better understand his uncle and father while also using his new knowledge to excel at baseball. Jr Lib Guild. An ALA Best Book for Young Adults. Reprint.

Alan Gratz was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee. After a carefree but humid childhood, he attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing and later a Master's degree in English education. In addition to writing plays, magazine articles, and a few episodes of A&E's City Confidential, Alan has taught catapult building to middle schoolers, written more than 6,000 radio commercials, and lectured as a Czech university. Currently, Alan lives with his wife Wendi and daughter Jo in the high country of western North Carolina, where he enjoys reading, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, watching baseball.