Abner & Me

Baseball Card Adventures #6

by Dan Gutman

Cannons are blasting!
Bullets are flying!
Wounded soldiers are everywhere!
Stosh has time-traveled to 1863, right into the middle of the Civil War. In possibly his most exciting and definitely his most dangerous trip yet, Stosh has decided to answer the question for all did Abner Doubleday, a Civil War general, really invent the game of baseball? It's all big laughs, dramatic action, fast baseball games in the middle of a battlefield. You'll be blown away by this sixth amazing baseball card adventure!

Genres: Sports, Baseball, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Childrens, Fantasy, Civil War

176 pages, Library Binding

First published March 15, 2005

About the author

The author of over 80 books in a little over a decade of writing, Dan Gutman has written on topics from computers to baseball. Beginning his freelance career as a nonfiction author dealing mostly with sports for adults and young readers, Gutman has concentrated on juvenile fiction since 1995. His most popular titles include the time-travel sports book Honus and Me and its sequels, and a clutch of baseball books, including The Green Monster from Left Field. From hopeful and very youthful presidential candidates to stunt men, nothing is off limits in Gutman's fertile imagination. As he noted on his author Web site, since writing his first novel, They Came from Centerfield, in 1994, he has been hooked on fiction. "It was fun to write, kids loved it, and I discovered how incredibly rewarding it is to take a blank page and turn it into a WORLD."

Gutman was born in New York City in 1955, but moved to Newark, New Jersey the following year and spent his youth there.

Reviews

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Combo of Historical & Fiction

Another fine book by Dan Gutman. This was a bit less baseball and more Civil War history.

I love these books. I highly recommend.

[Jayren · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like this book because this book takes place back in the 1800's and modern day today. The main characters are a boy and his mom. Him and his mom venture out to save Abraham's life and get an autograph from the person who maybe created baseball. When they finally get to the 1800's they are in a middle of a war between the redcoats and the militia of the American colonies. When they get there they realize that the guy that maybe created baseball, he didn't know what was baseball and they were in terrible trouble. Back home he has a common enemy from his arch-enemy against the other baseball team. When they get back he went up against the away team and they won! After he did that his mom decided not to go to work and she was sitting in the kitchen after he got a ride from his coach coming back. His mom wanted to save Abraham's life by getting a tazer and shocking the criminal who killed Lincoln and then they went back in time but it was to late. He shot Lincoln but he wasn't dead yet. All in all, this book is good because it creates suspense in some parts of the story.

[Sahmed3 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Stoshack decides to find out whether or not General Abner Doubleday invented baseball. But he ends up in the middle of the American Cival War. So when he tries to go back, he ends up meeting Abner Doubleday. Then he goes on a wild trip that includes trying to stop Lincoln's assasination. This is a book about loss of innocence.

[Jordan Bergs · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't too bad, I thought the historical aspect of this was more interesting this time based on it setting in 1800s which is at least 40 or 50 years older than the rest.

[Andreas Altefrohne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm problably the first and only german person who read this book. I wish it was about Soccer and had more Hasslehoff in it.

[Jake H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot-
There has always been a controversy between who created the game of baseball. Most people say it was Abner Doubleday. Joe Stoshack, also known as Stosh, wants to travel back in time to find out the truth. The only problem is, is that there is no baseball card of Abner Doubleday. Stosh sent out letters to try to find one of him. It turned out that there was a picture of him. He told his mom that he was going to travel back in time. Stosh's mom said that he could only go if she went with. Of course, like any mom, she tried to make the adventure educational. When they traveled back in time, they ended up in 1863... In the middle of the Civil War. Gun shots were being fired at them. Stosh picked up his mom and ran. They found 3 soldiers and a drummer boy. There names were Willie, Rufus, Little John, and Joshua. Rufus was shot and killed. The soldiers told them that Abner Doubleday was a General in the Civil War. Later on, when Willie, Rufus, and Little John tried to take them to General Doubleday, Little John was shot and almost killed until Joe's mom stepped in and saved his life. Once they got to General Doubleday, they asked for an autograph on the baseball... Did Abner Doubleday really create the game of baseball? What will they do with an autographed Abner Doubleday baseball? Will they make it back to present time before getting killed?

Characters-
Joe Stoshack; Nicknamed Stosh, courageous, curious, loves baseball.
(Joe is the Dynamic character because he finds out about Abner Doubleday and doesnt thinks of him of him the same.)
Abner Douleday; confused, old fashioned, Genreal in the Civil War, gets angry easily
Joes Mom; Educational, caring, smart, nurse in present time, helps people.
Willie; Soldier in the Civil War.
Joshua; Soldier in the Civil War.
Little John; Young drummer boy in the Civil War, was hurt badly.
Rufus; Soldier in the Civil War, dead.

Key Issues-
The main Idea of this book is to show what times were like and how people acted and had in 1863.

Other Information-
I gave this book 3 stars because it wasn't really about baseball. It just talked about what they did during there adventure and what they ran into. The end of this book was well thought out. I recommend this book to people who like wars or baseball. Compared to other books in this Series or by this author, I did not like this book. I wasn't interested in it as much as I was with other Dan Gutman's books.

[Alex Riggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abner and Me is about a boy named Joe Stoshack. He has the abilities to travel through time with any photos or basball cards. Joe's parents are divorced and they both live in Cooperstown, New York. The book starts out with Joe Stoshack in Social Studies class. His teacher Mrs. Van Hook is giving a lecture on the Civil War, Missouri Compromise. He doesn't find it really interesting. When Joe gets to his dads house, his dad was at the Baseball Hall of Fame. So, Joe went there. When Joe gets there he sees a Civil War baseball. It said that it was the first baseball, by Abner Doubleday. Joe's dad told him that now one really knows who invented baseball, evryone thought it was myth, and it would be cool to know who did. Then Mr. Stoshack took Joe to his moms house. When Joe got there his great uncle Wilbur was watching t.v. and his mom was making dinner. Joe went straight upstairs and sent a email to the Baseball Hall of Fame saying, "Do you have any pictures or souveniors of Abner Doubleday, I'm willing to pay ten dollars maximum." The next day a package showed up on Joes door step; it was a picture of Abner Doubleday. Joe told his mom that he was going to travel through time to see if Abner Doubleday actually invented baseball. But, Joes mom is very tired of him going through time because shes always worried something is going to happen to him. So, she makes Joe take her with him. To see if Abner Doubleday did invent baseball and the other adventure at the end of the book, you have to read the book!

This book is good for people 8-10 years old.My opinion on this book is that I did I not like it that much

[Kai C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jan 27 Kai C block 3 Author, Dan Gutman

The main character Joey goes to school and plays Baseball but he can also go back in time touching Baseball cards and old pictures. He goes back in time to try to meet the guy who mite have invented baseball, Abner Doubleday. When him and mom go back in time right into the middle of the battle of Gettysburg. They almost get shot while hiding in a graveyard so they go to a trench with four other union soldiers. Joey picks up a rifle and starts to shoot at Confederate soldiers until the battle ends. He goes to a hospital and see's a man get his leg sawed off. He meets General Doubleday and finds out that he did not invent Baseball. They go back to regular time but go back in time again to try to save President Lincolin but fail.

The main idea of the story I fell is to be grateful for what you have. In the story, Joey complains about a baseball game and he has a nice house and car and goes to school. When he goes back to the Civil war he see's kids as old as him killing people and being killed. Most of the soldiers never went to school and didn't have a lot of money. They had to life in holes in the ground and constantly be alert or they might get killed. He saw men in the hospital tents getting their limbs sawed off and thrown into a pile of cut off arms and legs with some still with their shoes on. When he gets back to his time he doesn't complain during his game and just thinks that it's just a silly game. He appreciates having a nice house to live in and he keeps feeling like a cConfederate is aiming a rifle at him and he thinks that he is lucky that he doesn't have to worry about that but solders did.

[Big Nasty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book a lot. This book was awesome, yet a bit unreal. I say this was unreal because they travel through time using photos and baseball cards. Joe, a young boy who loves baseball, has a special power that allows him to travel back to a past historical era. Joe and his mom, the prime characters, use a photo of Abner Doubleday to travel back to the battle of Gettysburg during the Civil War to find out if he really invented the game of baseball. They end up in the middle of the war with their lives in danger. The main characters along with the readers learn many aspects of the Civil War and other historical events happening during the same time period. Baseball is Joe's favorite sport. It is also my favorite sport too, so I put myself in Joe's shoes as I read the novel. Because the author does a fabulous job describing the plot throughout the story, I got a good understanding of the Civil War and it made learning history become fun. The author describes the characters so well, that he brings them to life. Besides learning about history in an interesting way, the book shows how the main characters changed their relationship throughout the story. The author has other books like this one where Joe travels back to a historical period relating to baseball. I enjoy this whole series because the stories are interesting and I learn a lot. This was a fabulous book to read and I recommend it to everyone of all ages.

[Max W · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot Summary:
Stosh is back with another wacky time travel adventure. This time he is heading back to 1863 to visit Abner Doubleday the inventor of baseball. This time before he leaves on his trip his mother decides she would like to go along. His mother thinks his travels are so educational even though Stosh has almost been killed at least four times before. Read more to find out. Baseball Card Adventures series book # six.
Main Characters:
Joe “Stosh” Stoshack (dynamic character): He is a very good baseball player and he collects baseball cards. He has a special power because he can travel through time using his cards. He has traveled back several times to see past players. Honus Wagner and Babe Ruth are just two of the greats he has seen on his travels.
Terry Stoshack: Terry is Joe’s mother. She is a nurse in Louisville, Kentucky. Terry is over protective of Joe. She doesn’t like it when he goes on his trips into time.
Key Issues:
Death, War, Assassinations, and Cheating.
Other information:
Why did I give the rating I did?
Because it was good but I didn’t like the end at all.
What were my personal reactions to the book?
It was really good up until the end.
Who do I think would like this book? Why?
Any person who likes sports because I don’t even like baseball but I think this book is well written.

[It'S Me · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose to read another book in Dan Gutman's baseball series. The book is called Abner and Me. This is the fifth book in the series that I have read and it is action-packed. It is historically accurate as well.
Stosh is the main character and he is able to travel back in time with his special baseball cards. In this book he wants to travel back to 1863 to meet Abner Doubleday. He wanted to find out if Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball.
The story takes place during the Battle of Gettysburg. Stosh traveled with his mom and landed right in the middle of a firing squad. They were able to escape. With the help of the soldiers, Stosh and his mom found Abner Doubleday.
Stosh's mom saved a man's life. He was one of the soldiers that helped them find Doubleday. Abner gave Stosh's mom a special medal and that's when Stosh was able to ask if he invented the game of baseball. Abner told Stosh that he had never heard of the game. Abner then learned how to play the game, but he didn't invent it.
This book was a little misleading because most of the books end the way the reader would expect. I expected Abner to be the creator of baseball. This book also has much more action and danger than the others in the series. I would recommend it to people who like action, history and baseball.

[Nick McCarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book there are three main characters. Abner Doubleday, Stosh, and Flip. Abner is the baseball founder/Army General Stosh goes back in time to meet. Stosh is a young boy that lives in Louisville and loves to play baseball. Flip is his coach and has pretty much taught him everything there is to know about baseball. Stosh one day asks about the origins of baseball. Flip tells him that Abner Doubleday was one of the main guys responsible for the sport. Stosh wants to meet him so he does using his special power with baseball cards. I really enjoyed this story in particular because it is the start of baseball. This is literally the begin and I think that is pretty cool to learn about. Most kids nowadays don't know the true history of sports and those who came before them. That's mainly why I like these books so much because I enjoy learning about the history of sports. The one thing I didn't like about this book, is well I liked everything. Not that big into fantasy reading in the part where he travels back in time but I can't complain, its a good book. I would suggest this book to anyone who likes sports and sports history.

[Kate Schwarz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a fan of this series and expected to like this one about as much as the others, but this one was my least favorite out of all of Gutman's Baseball Card Adventure Series. Like the others, Stosh travels back in time to meet someone important--this time, it's to meet Abner Doubleday, who is rumored to have invented baseball. And this time, he travels back in time with his mom, a nurse. They end up on the battlefield in Gettysburg, and witness some of the horrific action that took place there. While the violence and gunfire is done on a PG level, it's still a little strange. And his mom makes everything a teachable moment; that heavy dose of educational material gets old.

But my least favorite part was that they don't get to the bottom of who invented baseball--in the afterward we read that no one really knows, that the myth of Abner Doubleday got started because someone liked the idea of an American hero starting the very American game of baseball.

While not my favorite, this book is still part of a solid, good series (Satch & Me and Jackie & Me are still my top picks).

[Ilesh · Rating 4 out of 5]

a. Science Fiction
b. 166 pages
c. Abner & Me by Dan Gutman is a book about Joe Stoshack. Joe can travel time using baseball cards or pictures. He holds the picture and the setting and time of that picture is where he arrives. Joe goes and meets Abner Doubleday, the person who might have invented baseball. in this book, but finds himself in a problem. He ends up in the Battle of Gettysburg. Abner Doubleday was a General in this war. Later in the book, Joe and his mom try to go to save Abraham Lincoln getting assassinated in 1865. They again meet Doubleday there. Did Abner actually invent baseball? Could they save Lincoln form getting killed?
d. I liked this book because it was very interesting the whole way. It kept me hooked all the way throughout the last page. I also liked this book because I have read and liked other books in this series and other books by Dan Gutman. Overall, this was an intriguing book.

[Lucas Tarbell]

The book that I read was Abner and me and the author was Dan Gutman. I liked this book because it was about baseball and I really like to play baseball so this was a good book for me. Dan Gutman is the author of many books for readers, including five previous Baseball card adventures. This book is about when Dan is visiting a school and a person wants to play baseball. So then he is the coach so that the kid can get better at baseball. Dan lives in Haddonfield, New Jersey, with his wife, and her name is Nina, and their two children, their names are Sam and Emma. I loved this book because it was about baseball. It was a very good book. People who like to read will like this book. People who like to play baseball or who like to read about baseball then would like this book. I rate this book a 7 because I like baseball but I don't like to read that much so that is why I gave it a 7.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abner & Me
Science/Historical Fiction

This book is about a boy, Joe Stoshack, who can travel through time by holding old baseball cards and pictures. In this book Joe travels to Gettysburg in 1863 to meet Abner Doubleday, the man who might have invented baseball. Joe fights in the Battle of Gettysburg while his mother saves people at the hospital. Joe once has to hold a man's arms down while the surgeon amputates his leg. After getting home he later goes to the Lincoln assassination where he tries to stop the assassination but fails.

I loved this book because it combined my 3 favorite things: the Civil War, the Lincoln Assassination and baseball. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys either one of these topics.

[Marco Moy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Abner and Me by Dan Gutman is about a 14 year old boy named Joe Stoshack who plays little league baseball. Joe is not like most 14 year olds and has the power to travel back in time using baseball cards. Legend says that a man named Abner Doubleday invented the game of baseball, one of America's most popular sports today. Joe wants to travel back in time to the late 1800's to meet Abner Doubleday and ask him if he really invented the game of baseball, but it is not as easy as it sounds. Doubleday was a general for the North in the civil war, and there weren't any baseball cards back in those days. Read the book to find out who really invented the game of baseball. I give it 4/5 stars. This book is a historical fiction.

[Michael Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I choose to read this month was " Abner and Me" by Dan Gutman. The genre of this book is Fiction. I enjoyed this story not only because it was about baseball, but also because there is history involved. The setting takes place on the little league field where Joes team plays, and ends up back in time during The Battle of Gettysburg. Joes mother joins him on this journey and the two become involved in battles, saving lives, and playing baseball with the shoulders. Prepare yourself for an exciting adventure as Joe meets Abner Doubleday during the crisis known as one of Americas worst eras ever. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars because I enjoy learning not only about the former baseball legends but also the history during the time of their careers.

[Jarrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was another great book written by Dan Gutman. In the beginning Stosh is wondering if Abner Doubleday really did invent the game of baseball. Now Stosh always has a pack of baseball cards in the bottom of his shoe because they have a hole in it and those cards play an important role with these books that he wrote. Stosh also has the power to go back in time using baseball cards, so Stosh goes back in time and tries to see it Abner really did invent the game. But the thing he didn't know was that it was back during a war. So he has to go through the war just to see if he can really find who invented the game.

I recommend this book to people who like a mystery, sports, and a little violence.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

STOSH is back, and this time, he is time-traveling with his MOM!

With a photograph of General Abner Doubleday firmly in hand, Stosh and his mom travel back in time and find themselves at the Battle of Gettysburg (pivotal battle of the Civil War).

If you are teaching a unit on the civil war, you might want to read the chapter about the army hospital to the kids. It is eye-opening.

Not as much baseball in this book as Civil War history, but that is OK.
It was educational, fun, and totally Gutman.

Did Abner Doubleday invent the game of baseball? You will have to read the book to find out!

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Abner and me was written by Dan Gutman. I would give this book a star because they could include some more details that would make it a better book. Abner and Me took place during the revolutionary war in Gettysburg Pennsylvania the story also takes place in the town where Matt lives we just don't no where he lives. The main charter in the story was Matt he is a baseball lover and a nice guy. The underline message the author is trying to give is that anything can happen cause in the book Matt and his mom go back in time and get a signature from Abner Doubleday. i would recommend this book to people who are baseball lovers and people who believe anything could happen.

[Codyemayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joe Stoshack goes back in time again! In this book Joe travels to Gettysburg in 1863 to meet Abner Doubleday the man who might have invented baseball. The subject of who invented baseball is controversial. Joe fights in the Battle of Gettysburg while his mother saves people at the hospital. Joe in one part of the book has to hold a mans arms down while the surgeon amputates his leg. That part of the book really just hooked me in it. I loved it. After getting home he later goes to the Lincoln assassination where he tries to stop the assassination but fails.

I loved this book because it combined my Lincolns assassination, the civil war and the question: Who invented baseball?

[Randy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abner & Me is a great book for baseball fanatics and history lovers, also this book tells us what it's like to be in a war and is very detailed. Also the main characters Joe "Stosh" Stoshack and his mother have amazing but almost fatal adventures through Joe's power to travel back in time through baseball cards. One of the adventures is when they go back in time to see if Abner Doubleday is the inventor of baseball but to learn that they are in the Civil War, and they also learned that Abner didnt invent baseball. Another one is when they fall short of saving President Lincoln's assasination. All in all this book sums up as a great book

[John Kries · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book that I read this month was Abner and Me, which was written by Dan Gutman. The book is fiction because time travel takes place, and that can not happen in real life. This book takes place in present day and the past(because of the time travel), and the main characters are Joe and his mom. In the book, Joe has magical powers where he can travel back into time with a baseball card. This time, Joe and his Mom end up in the battle of Gettysburg and are trying to survive. I rated this book 5 out of 5 stars because it is a great book that keeps you turning the pages one after another. I reccomend this book to anyone who likes baseball and history.

[Corgan Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a book by Dan Gutman. Abner and me is about a boy named Joe Stoshack and he goes back in time to 1863. He uses a Abner Doubleday card. He sleeps why he goes back in time, and he goes back in time for just a night.

If you do know history theirs something going on crazy on this date. It was the civil war Joe spawned at the civil war. Joe finds Abner at the war.

There in the middle of gunfire! He yells RUN! They get out of the war and they start talking. After a wile Joe and Abner talk and fight the war is slowly ending. Sooner or later the war is over. Joe and Abner go and play baseball.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another of the "Baseball Card Adventures series." The narrator travels through time with a baseball card-- or, in this case, a photograph. My kids like the series, but this book wasn't a favorite. Maybe it's the amount of Civil War gore included-- which Mr. Gutman does thoughtfully warn against at the outset of the book. Or maybe it's the lack of any real baseball narrative here, as Abner Doubleday's specious connection to baseball doesn't give Gutman much to work with. In any case, it's a good series, but of the books from it that I've read with my kids, this one is probably my least favorite. We're planning to read the rest, so it didn't deter us too badly!

[Brandon Denison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didnt lik this book very much. This time instead of Joe going back in time by himself, he takes his mom with him. They traveled back to 1863 to meet Abner Doubleday but instead they land right in the middle of the civil war and Joes mom almost get killed many times and his mom keeps doin 21st century medical stuff. When they finally meet Abner doubleday he is a total jerk to both of them and later would try to throw them in jail. this book was better than Jim and me but not the best book in this series.

[Rainier Birco · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book made me feel like i was in the time traveling adventure with Stosh and mother when they were in a middle of civil war and trying to get a signature from the guy that invented baseball that was requested by Stosh's dad that said that they will give them a million dollars if they get a signed baseball from Abner Doubleday the guy that invented baseball. It really left me hanging at the end of the story when Stosh's mom was talking about traveling again to stop John F. Kennedy from getting shot that was the ending

[Tristen Castellanoz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abner and me is a great book for people who love baseball. Joe Stoshack is teenager in middle school and he can go back in time using baseball cards and he learned that Abner Doubleday was the one who invented baseball. So he went back in time to see him. When he goes back in time he finds himself in the time of Civil War. After many near death experiences he finds Abner Doubleday and finds out that he wasn't the one to invent baseball. I would recommend this book to people who love baseball and like adventures.

[Hayden Calleo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abner and Me by Dan Gutman is a great book. Stosh goes back in time to meet Abner Doubleday. When he gets there he lands in the middle of Gettysburg. Everything just goes crazy from there.

I like this book because it was about baseball and the civil war. I learned a lot about both like who invented baseball and what it was like for people in the Civil War.

I would recommend this book to 5th through 8th graders. I would recommend this to any one who has read the other books in the series too. If you like baseball and history you'll like this book too.