Fred Bowen
When Fred Bowen was growing up, his favorite books were the Chip Hilton sports series. He read the books by flashlight late at night and at school when the teachers weren't looking. Now Fred is the author of his own sports series (for kids 7 to 11 years old), and he says, "Nothing pleases me more than to hear that a kid stayed up late reading one of my books."
Sports author Jim Naughton, writing in The Washington Post Book World, said: "It is with gratitude, not to mention relief, then, that one approaches the rapidly growing oeuvre of Fred Bowen of Silver Spring, who writes books about baseball—just baseball—and writes them well. . . .Children who love the game will appreciate that Bowen loves it too."
So far, Fred's series includes T.J.'s Secret Pitch, The Golden Glove and The Kid Coach. His fourth book, Playoff Dreams, has just been published (September 1997). Fred's stories always include exciting baseball action. He wants his readers to feel as if they are pitching with the bases loaded or batting against a full count.
But Fred's books aren't all play-by-play. There are lessons to be learned from playing sports and Fred makes them an important part of his stories (although his readers don't have to know that). In T.J.'s Secret Pitch a kid perseveres when quitting would be easier. In The Golden Glove a kid learns to trust himself and worry less about the old glove he has to use. In The Kid Coach an awkward boy finds a way to make a difference. And in Playoff Dreams, a star player finally learns that he's not the only player on the team.
In a subtle way, Fred also shows kids that when they play baseball they are part of a larger tradition—one that includes Babe Ruth and Cal Ripken. That's why Fred always mixes a little sports history into his stories and includes a special history section at the end. Fred comes up with the history angles for his books by drawing on the games he watched as a kid on the family's black-and-white TV, or read about in newspaper articles or books. "Through the years, I've collected a lot of baseball knowledge—quirky facts, player trivia and historical dates—without even trying," he says.
Many of his plots and scenes come directly from his experiences playing Little League at Gatchell's Pit in Marblehead, Massachusetts, in the 1960s, and from coaching a kids' baseball team in Silver Spring, Maryland, for the past seven years. T.J.'s Secret Pitch is about a kid who wants to be a pitcher but he's small for his age (Fred was the shortest boy in his fifth-grade class) and his pitches don't pack enough power to strike out batters. T.J.'s luck changes when he discovers the "eephus" pitch, an off-beat pitch used by real-life major leaguer Rip Sewell in the 1940s. T.J.'s Secret Pitch won the Family Channel Seal of Quality and is a reading CORE book in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was also on the Fairfax County (Virginia) Libraries 1997 summer reading list for grades 3-6.
In The Golden Glove, Jamie loses his favorite glove and his self-confidence when he is forced to play with someone's castoff. When Fred was a Little Leaguer he lost his favorite glove and his parents wouldn't buy him another one. Like Jamie, Fred borrowed a glove and learned that he could still be good player even without his "golden glove." The history section includes illustrations of some very simple gloves (no webbing, no pockets) used by some of baseball's greatest players.
Fred got the idea for his third book, The Kid Coach, when he showed up late to coach a practice for his kids' baseball team. He got to wondering what the kids would do without him. In The Kid Coach, the kids lose their coach at the beginning of the season and decide to coach themselves. It turns out to be a very interesting season for the kids, especially when they have to figure out a way to stop a home-run hitter on a rival team. Sports history helps them out. They learn about player-coach Lou Boudreau of the Cleveland Indians and his strategy for stopping Red Sox slugger Ted Williams.
Playoff Dreams is about a kid who is a star player on a team going nowhere. The idea came from Fred's coaching experience. His team of fourth graders was pounding another team of fourth graders. The score was 14-1. And then one of Fred's kids smacked a grounder to the shortstop who quickly grabbed it and threw right to his teammate at first base. But his teammate dropped the ball and then bumped heads with runner when he bent down to pick it up. Fred felt very badly for the ace shortstop. The history looped into this story is about Ernie Banks a fabulous player on Chicago Cubs, but the Cubs never made the playoffs or the World Series.
Fred's books are published by Peachtree Publishers in Atlanta and book five in the "AllStar SportStory" series is due out in the Spring of 1988. Fred turns his attention to basketball in Full Court Fever and a team that is too small to win, just might have a plan to overcome the size difference.
Further information about Fred Bowen and his books is available on his website.
Fred is also a member of Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. Visit his page at www.childrensbookguild.org/bowen.htm
Reviews
The Final Cut
Fred Bowen
Four good friends want to be on the Middle School basketball team. The dialogue is contemporary, but the story has nice pat answers, all of which are politically correct: girls playing with boys on intramural teams, everyone supporting and complimenting each other, a stepfather who is friendly and concerned. Even though two of the boys don't make the team they accept it and start practicing on their own. The book portrays an ideal world which may allow boys to see there is another way to accept responsibility for their own actions and express anger, that friendship and dedication are more important than selfishness and blaming others. 1999, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 10 to 13, $4.95. Reviewer: Janet L. Rose
ISBN: 1-56145-192-4
Full Court Fever
Fred Bowen
Illustrations by Ann Barrow
Michael Mancino is a rather typical 7th grader. He likes hanging out with friends but he especially loves to play basketball. With his school's annual game against the 8thgrade boys team approaching, Michael begins to search for an edge, particularly after he and his teammates lose a pick-up game to some of their older opponents. Michael finds his advantage in an old Sports Illustrated magazine story about the UCLA men's basketball team in the 1960's and the secret of its success, a full-court, pressing defense. After embracing the new strategy, Michael's team, the Falcons, starts to gel, winning several games in the run-up to the season finale against the 8thgraders. This is an excellent book, where the author adroitly describes the lives of his well-defined characters. The author deftly interweaves UCLA's actual success into his narrative, even including a final chapter about the Bruins' 12 NCAA titles from 1964-1975. The story is also filled with skilled descriptions of playing basketball, making this title sure to please the young sports fan in your house. 1998, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 8 to 12, $4.95. Reviewer: Bruce Adelson
ISBN: 1-56145-160-6
The Golden Glove
Fred Bowen
Illustrated by Jim Thorpe
Jamie loves his favorite glove (a Cal Ripken, Jr shortstop glove) and he knows that with it he will be an even better player. Unfortunately Jamie seems to have a knack for losing things, his hooded sweatshirt, a basketball, and now he he has lost his baseball glove. Dad is angry and tells Jamie that he'll just have to play with a borrowed glove. Pete at the Sports Shop is sympathetic and gives Jamie a lot of information about gloves--care, history, and some tips about using a glove. But as Jamie learns, its not the glove that makes the player, but the player that makes the glove. A good story with a concluding history section includes illustrations and facts about baseball gloves. 1996, Peachtree, Ages 8 up, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56145-133-9
The Kid Coach
Fred Bowen
Illustrated by Ann Barrow
What is the team going to do? The coach, Mr. Skelly, just doesn't seem to have time for the team. Scott and his teammates come up with an idea. Scott will request that he be assigned as the player coach. It is a predictable, but pleasant story, with kids cooperating, honing their ball playing skills, and eventually ending up with a winning season. The work by the "Brain," who collects statistics about the team and its opponents, brings home the message that both playing talent and brain power are needed to achieve success. Bowen also provides historical information to support his story. 1996, Peachtree, Ages 8 to 12, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56145-140-1
Off the Rim
Fred Bowen
For days when the sun warms the outdoor court, young hoop-shooters may like cooling down with Fred Bowen's Off the Rim. Chris gets playing tips from Greta, the high-scoring star of the middle-school girls' basketball team-and from her mother, who was a star when girls played a different brand of the game. As with all Bowen's baseball and basketball titles, this one is marked by fast action and believable, contemporary characters. The short section in the back on the history of women's basketball makes for especially interesting reading in March, which is Women's History Month. 1998, Peachtree, Ages 8 to 12, $4.95. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum
ISBN: 1-56145-161-4
On the Line
Fred Bowen
Illustrations by Ann Barrow
As all basketball players know the shots "on the line" are the easiest to make, because free throws are taken without being guarded. Marcus is by far the best player and leading scorer on his junior high team, except at the foul line. When taking free throws, he clutches and rarely makes his shot. Although he practices and is determined to overcome his problem, he becomes frustrated. Afraid of being fouled, Marcus plays a less aggressive game, thus passing up his chances to score. His father, a school principal, allows Marcus to use the gym. While there, he learns an underhanded shot from the "weird" custodian, Mr. Dunn. Although this "granny" shot looks strange, it works! Marcus is not sure that he has the nerve to use this technique in a game, until he learns a valuable lesson from Mr. Dunn. Young sports fans will enjoy the action of the games and the lesson that practice makes perfect. 1999, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 7 to 11, $4.95. Reviewer: Laura Hummel
ISBN: 1-56145-199-1
Playoff Dreams
Fred Bowen
Illustrated by Ann Barrow
Brendan is a great baseball player, but his team is not so hot. He really loves the game, but his Dad, a musician and his mother a pediatrician really aren't much attuned. They do support their son, and they come to the games. Brandan learns to be a team player, does his very best to get the Cubs into the playoffs, and his efforts go right down to the last play in the last game. The history looped into this story is about Ernie Banks a fabulous player with the Chicago Cubs, but the Cubs never made the playoffs or the World Series. 1997, Peachtree, Ages 8 up, $4.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot
ISBN: 1-56145-155-X
T J's Secret Pitch
Fred Bowen
Illustrated by Jim Thorpe
T.J.'s Secret Pitch is about a kid who wants to be a pitcher but he's small for his age and his pitches don't pack enough power to strike out batters. T.J.'s luck changes when he discovers the "eephus" pitch, an off-beat pitch used by real-life major leaguer Rip Sewell in the 1940s. T.J.'s Secret Pitch won the Family Channel Seal of Quality and is a reading CORE book in Montgomery County, Maryland. It was also on the Fairfax County (Virginia) Libraries 1997 summer reading list for grades 3-6. 1996, Peachtree, Ages 8 up, $4.95. Reviewer: Peggy Jackson
ISBN: 1-56146-119-3
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Added 10/01/1999
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