Ted & Me

Baseball Card Adventures #11

by Dan Gutman

With more than 1.5 million books sold, the Baseball Card Adventures series brings the greatest players in history to life!

Joe "Stosh" Stoshack has an incredible ability. He can travel through time using baseball cards. But the FBI has learned of his talent, and now they have a mission for him: go back to 1941 and warn President Roosevelt about the attack on Pearl Harbor!

Stosh is reluctant, until he finds out that his "ticket" to 1941 is a Ted Williams card. Williams was one of the greatest hitters of all time, even though he lost years of his career to serve in the Marines. How many more home runs would the Splendid Splinter have hit if he had those years back? What if Stosh can prevent the attack on Pearl Harbor and convince Williams not to serve in the military?

With black-and-white photographs and stats throughout, plus back matter separating fact from fiction, Ted & Me is the perfect mix of history and action for every young baseball fan.

Genres: Sports, Historical Fiction, Baseball, Fiction, Middle Grade, War, Time Travel

208 pages, Hardcover

First published March 20, 2012

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

[Weikey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a great book. I remember reading this book back in elementary school. I decided I wanted to read it again. Joe is a young boy who collects baseball cards. He has a special touch that the cards take him back to the year they were made, like a time-machine. He gets a hold of a Ted Williams card, and goes back in time. I really enjoyed reading this book again and would recommend it to anyone.

[Dave Gregorio · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best kid’s book I have read in awhile and it’s also one of the best I’ve read this year period. My wife gave it to me last year because she has some of his other Baseball Card series books in her school library and she knows I’m a Red Sox fan and crazy about Ted Williams who was my dad’s favorite player. The story about a 21st Century kid traveling back in time to 1941 and meeting Ted and enlisting his help in a secret mission is compelling enough but I was pleasantly surprised by the depth of knowledge that the author displayed about Williams, his life and his military service. He even had a scene where Ted gives the kid tips on hitting that I remember from when I was a kid reading and rereading Williams’ book, “The Science of Hitting.” The history of America on the eve of World War Two is also well told and insightful while being understandable for kids. Five Stars for Dan Gutman! I’m going to read more of his books for sure!

[Alex Knight · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because I liked how they gave details on how Ted felt in different events that happened. Also, I liked how they met in Philadelphia by a historical place and they were talking about baseball even though Joe wanted to tell Ted about Pearl Harbor he didn't want to spoil it yet because he had just met Ted. Also, Ted asked Joe what he thinks about him playing in the game but if you want to find out why he asked Joe you will have to read the book.

[EJ Manning · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am jst going to say it best book l have rea that is not a comic and I'm thinking about it might be the best book I have ever read

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

Ted Gutman strikes again!

Of all the books in the series, I think I enjoyed this one the very best. I selected it because Ted Williams was always one of my favorite players when I was a child. The author gives great support to all Ted accomplished and his research and facts, make this extra enjoyable.

I highly recommend.

[Grant Mohler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Stashack is traveling back in 1941 and this time he is going to see All – Star Ted Williams. Joe is an ordinary kid who is growing up as a 13 year old boy that has a secret power to travel back in time by using baseball cards. His life is about to change though, the FBI has heard about his power and what him to go back in time to 1041, not to see Ted Williams but to stop Pearl Harbor. Pearl Harbor is one of the worst things to ever happen to our country and if Joe can stop it from it would change history forever
Traveling back in time for Joe meant he had to find a Ted Williams baseball card. The FBI gave Joe the wrong card however, the card Joe was given sent him back to a time with Ted Williams. However this card sent him to a plane in the war that Ted Williams was driving. Joe and Ted survive and Joe is able to come home and get the right card. After receiving the right card Joe travels to the day when Ted is in Philadelphia getting ready to break the batting record. Ted ended up hitting over .400 for the season. When Stosh got to Philadelphia he and Ted met by the Liberty Bell, Joe and Ted became friends and Ted took him back to his hotel with him. Joe told Ted of his powers and then the two set out to Washington to tell President Roosevelt and warn him about the Pearl Harbor attacks. They set out in Ted’s station wagon to Washington D.C., on their way there Ted saw an old fishing hole and stopped to fish with Joe. Ted taught Joe how to fish and how to hit a baseball properly. After stopping and fishing for a while the two were off again towards Washington. This time on their way there Ted got distracted by a festival going on in a small town. Ted meets a girl and falls in love with her and all while this is happening Joe is being attacked by guys. Joe realizes it is time to go home, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a new card to take him home.
Ted never made it to Washington to warn the President but that’s ok because history turned out pretty good. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes Baseball and adventure.

[Thomas Stanley]

It was an okay book could of been better

[Dom Perino · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted and Me is about a kid named Stosh who can travel through time using baseball cards. This book starts off with Stosh playing in the little league world series. This is Stosh's dream game to play in. When the game was on the line and Stosh was up, Stosh struck out. Later that day an FBI agent came to Stosh's door, and told him that the FBI knows about his time travelling power. The FBI agent asks Stosh to go on a mission to try and prevent Pearl Harbor. At first Stosh is very hesitant but then accepts the offer. Stosh receives a baseball card, that is Ted Williams. The FBI agent tells him that Ted will be helping him with the mission. Stosh travels back in time and meets up with Ted Williams. Ted Williams thinks this kid is some kind of good luck, because Stosh is telling him what he is going to do at every bat. After awhile Stosh tells Ted about Pearl Harbor and how if he doesn't warn the president then a lot of lives will be killed and also that Ted will miss the majority of his baseball career. Ted takes Stosh to the White house but then gets distracted and ditches Stosh. Stosh travels back and realizes that he failed his mission. Later that day, Stosh realizes Ted created a bank account for him and puts a thousand dollars in there and it grew to one million by the time Stosh gets to his own time. After that, Stosh goes to his baseball game and remembers all the tips Ted gave him about hitting. Stosh ends up hitting the walk off home run to win the game.

[Trent Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted Williams and Joe Stoshack bring the reader back to the 1940's in "Ted & Me". The book, which was written by Dan Gutman, has two main characters, Joe and Ted. Joe is 13 years old and Ted is a legendary baseball player. It all starts with Joe playing baseball in the little league world series. Soon after, Joe and his mother are approached by the FBI and asked to send Joe back to the 1940's to warn the president of Pearl Harbor so it could be prevented. Joe has a special power to travel back in time by holding baseball cards. He is given a Ted Williams baseball card and travels back in time to see him. Joe and Ted have to warn the president of pearl harbor, but they have some things to take care of before they do.

"Dan & Me" is full of rich history that is easy to follow. It does a depicts how life was in the mid 20th century. A majority of the story takes place in Philadelphia in the year 1942. Ted is a pretty interesting character. He is sometimes calm and sometimes loud and crazy. Joe seems to be an average 13 year old kid who enjoys playing baseball, but he is capable of traveling through time. Joe can get annoying at times. The story is great. There is always something going on. The story is historically pretty accurate considering it is made for younger people. This is definitely one of my favorite books and I would recommend it to anybody that is a sports fan.

[Carlos Briseno · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ted and me is a great book because it is about a boy who used baseball cards to go back in time so that he can meet famous baseball players its a story of a boy who likes to play baseball with famous baseball players he plays baseball with ted to know more about him than anyone does then he writes a book about Ted so Ted is a baseball player who played for bisons another thing is that the boy like to travel in time to meet famous people and the FBI was tracking him down then they went to his doorstep then they also know about his ability to travel back in time and they want to send him back in time for a mission so thats why they want him and so that they can explain to him so that he can warn the president about the Pearl Harbor attack but when Stosh finds out that his "ticket" to 1941 is a Ted Williams card, he started planning a mission of his own. and William was one of the grates hitters of all time even though he lost almost five years of his career to serve in the Marines. then he tried to convince Williams to not serve in the Military
I hope you rade this book because i recommend this baseball book and all of the baseball book that stosh is in this is another book you should read about it is called babe and me which is babe ruth.

[Czech Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

Joe Stoshack is a kid who can travel in time by touching baseball cards which take him to the time and place of the player in the photo. In this installment of the series, the FBI learns of his ability and send an agent to convince him to go back in time to warn Franklin Roosevelt of the Pearl Harbor attack and prevent the United States entry into World War II. The person to help Stosh on this mission is Red Sox slugger Ted Williams, an appropriately patriotic figure who gave up five seasons of his career to serve in WWII and the Korean War. The characterization of Williams is well done since it captures a person who could be alternately an abrasive jerk and good-humored and generous. Williams is also impulsive enough to take Stosh under his wing, and after finishing up the season in Philadelphia ensuring his .406 batting average, takes Stosh on a road trip. There are a few stops along the way which I won’t spoil but add to the characterization of Williams and his bond with Stosh. Obviously, Stosh doesn’t prevent World War II, but it’s interesting to see some of the historic detail through his eyes, including a frightening encounter at an America First rally with supporters of Charles Lindbergh, something you wouldn’t expect to see in a children’s book. It’s a good adventure for kids who are fans of baseball and American history.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever idea, but there were too many inaccuracies. The author claims to be a baseball fanatic but gets so much wrong in the book, from details of baseball history to Ted Williams’ personality to the Splinter’s actions.
When I found this book in my local
Library I was excited but having read it, I won’t be sharing with children in my life.
I know this is just entertainment, but as the current administration should show all Americans, facts and history do matter.
Some of the things wrong off the top of my mind, Joe Cronin did not become manager of the Red Sox after his playing career. Little League does not play 9 innings. You could not see clothes hanging on the line across the street in right field of Shibe Park in 1941. They did not sing the national anthem before games until WWII.
Just a few. If you are willing to overlook factual errors, when do you stop?

[Rachel Huss · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book. I have been an avid Dan Gutman fan since I was in elementary school reading his My Weird School series. I truly believe that if you love baseball it doesn't matter that Gutman's main audience is younger readers in this series.

This story has included two of my favorite things - baseball and history. Stosh goes back in time to prevent Pearl Harbor, encourage Ted Williams to play in the game and get a .400 stat, and to discourage him from joining the military. Unfortunately, this story takes a turn of events that you wouldn't see coming. I thought this story was going in a completely different direction but it switches up and ends up providing you with a lesson that you can always use in your life... failure is okay.

[Martin Ewell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is Dan gutmans best book it’s really good I’m just going to tell a little that happen the FBI came to joes house he wants joe to go back in time and warn president rosavelt about Pearl Harbor and that Ted well help him after joe's mom does her think what about if something go’s wrong she says yes he god back in time and god to the wrong year he goes back gets another card with the right year he gos back in time he finds Ted Ted is the nices and belives joe that he’s from the21st century after joe tell him but joe also try’s to tell Ted not to join the milatary so he can be the best player ever. It’s really good pleases read it

[David Rough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Protagonist Joe "Stosh" Stoshack who time travels via baseball cards is asked by the FBI to help communicate a message to FDR as he materializes in 1941 using Ted Williams as his portal. I enjoyed the baseball interaction much more than the political/military mission.

Dan Gutman does such a nice job exploring the past and sharing the history of baseball. His hero is a little leaguer who comes face to face with legends. At the end of each novel, the author differentiates between fact and fiction and provides old photographs documenting the real characters and events of the story.

[Ian Homan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have only read the first few chapters but during that time a kid named "Stosh" and him and his teammates are playing in the little league world series. The ended up losing in the championship game by 1 run. After that was over they go back home and one day the FBI show up at his house. The FBI accuse stosh of being able to pick up an old baseball card and go back to time to meet that person. He only has limited time and if he doesn't make the time limit he will be stuck in that time forever.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This or Jackie and Me have been my favorite so far in this series. This book shows the different sides to Ted Williams. I didn't know about his military service. We also get to see a side of Lucky Lindy as it was only a few years ago I learned about what kind of a person he really was. This book just came together perfectly.

How did this book find me? It is part of a series I found on Audible + that will be pulled in July.

[Don · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun little read about a boy that can travel through time and history using baseball cards. The book explores the life of Red Sox great Ted Williams and his military service in a way that anyone could enjoy. It’s a great read for kids of all ages!

[Glen Leavens · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot about Ted Williams in the book. Interesting tale of the boy who can time travel by touching baseball cards. In the introduction I agree that I too can time travel by reviewing the numbers and seeing the seasons on the cards. This story is more than that. Cute and fun to read.

[Matthew Earl · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very exciting, it goes back in time and you get to meet Ted Williams a famous baseball player, and also this kid named Joseph can go back in time just by holding a baseball card, and now the government wants him to help prevent the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

[Tripp T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good and funny

[trey Lombardo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book because It is about a kid who goes back in time to meet ted Williams, the greatest hitter ever. the child is hired by the FBI to worn the present about pearl harbor.

[Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

something I loved about this book was ted teaching Joe about baseball and how amazing it was great when Joe went back in time and tried to save ted from joining the marines and ending his career.

[Ryanm · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good historc book

[tessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it in my brother’s room and decided to read it because I was bored. It was pretty entertaining. Also, I learned that Charles Lindbergh was kinda racist, which actually isn’t that surprising.

[Rebecca Sofferman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ted & Me is part of the Baseball Card Adventure series, but it isn’t necessary to read the other books to understand the story. The series is centered around a young boy, Joe Stoshack, who has the ability to travel back in time using baseball cards. In this title, Joe is asked by the FBI to travel back to 1941 to meet Ted Williams and get his help to stop the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. Joe arrives in time to see Ted play in the historic game when he bats over .400.

The book has a number of authentic photos of Ted Williams and the ballparks in which he played, as well as a bibliography of sources and a chart showing Ted Williams’ lifetime statistics. This story would probably be of high interest to readers who are interested in sports, and while it is probably mostly aimed at boys, girls may also enjoy it. The book includes some physics and math related topics, as well as providing some biographical and historical perspective of the time period, so it could be used in a multitude of lessons.

I enjoy time travel and historical fiction stories, so even though I really have no interest in baseball, I liked this book. I did think it wrapped up a bit too quickly at the end, but the book was a good length for a reluctant reader. I plan to purchase more of these titles for my library. The bibliography was a particularly nice addition, to demonstrate to students the value of research.

[Jacob Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the book Ted and Me, there are 3 main characters. They are named Ted, Stosh, and Flip. Flip is a teenage boy who is in love with baseball. He is so good that at one point he got to play on TV. One reason that Flip is so good is because of his father like figure named Stosh. Stosh is Flips little league baseball coach. Stosh's card shop sponsors the team. Flip gets a card from Stosh and while holding it he travels back in time with Ted Williams (a professional baseball player for the Boston Red Sox). Flip learns a lot from Ted, and Ted learns a lot from Flip. The theme of this book is ' Being patriotic '. This is why I have given this book a 5 star. It is because even though you think you know what is best for someone, they have a different goal for themselves than you do. This is represented from a quote from the book when Flip asks Ted," Why did you decide to join the military when you could have gone down in history as being one of the best scorers ever?" And Ted replys," Because I care more about my country than baseball" ( Gutman 102).This is truly inspiring and motivated me to not judge someone by the path they choose. Also the voice of the author and style of the book was very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who is proud to live in the USA or likes baseball.

[Kylee Copeland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was called Ted and Me by Dan Gutman and it was amazing. It is about a boy named Joe who can travel back in time by using baseball cards. This time Joe goes back to 1941 to meet Ted Williams. Joe also goes back to prevent something very important from happening, the bombing of Pearl Harbor. When Joe meets Ted, Joe tells him that he is from the 21st century. Of course Ted didn't believe that, but Joe proved him wrong. They went to one of Ted's baseball games and Joe told Ted exactly what he was going to do in that game. Everything he said was correct. Then they go on a trip to warn the president about the attack on Pearl Harbor. Throughout the journey from Boston to D.C. they make a couple pit stops and finally make it to Washington D.C. This book was the right fit for me now because half of this book was about World War 2 and that is what I am learning about right now in social studies. There are a lot of spoilers in this book so I don't want to get into much detail. I rated this book a 5/5 stars because I couldn't stop reading. This book just kept me engaged the whole time. I would recommend this book to anybody who likes these types of books about sports and traveling back in time. I really like this series of stories by Dan Gutman.

[Stephanie Gamez · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Ted and Me is a very cool series. It is not just about Ted it also has other famous people from the past mostly baseball players and also people that were in the wars.
This book starts off in a baseball field where Stosh is in the last inning in the game but his team ends up loosing. After his game an FBI agent went to his house to tell him that he knew his secret about time traveling and that he wanted him to go back in time to prevent the unexpected surprise attack in Pearl Harbor caused by the Japanese. The first baseball card Stosh received was the wrong card. It made him go to the Vietnam War that's when he also met Ted Williams, he was a marine during that time. When Stosh went back to the future present day the FBI felt really bad that he also proposed to him if he would prevent the bombing at Pearl Harbor he would also receive 100,000 dollars.
This book had many emotions, especially when Stosh met Ted Williams. Stosh was told by the FBI agent that he had an attitude. When Stosh met him he was really surprised because of what he was saying to him.
I would recommend this book to the people who like baseball or time traveling to the past.

[Max W · Rating 5 out of 5]

Plot Summary: Joe Stoshack is back he is going back to 1941. this time he is going to meet a player for his enjoyment Stosh is going for larger purpose. The reason he is going back to do is to stop the Pearl Harbor attacks. The player he is going to meet is Ted Williams who has one of the highest batting average's of all time with a .406. In the middle of his career has went into the Marines. The main goal is to warn FDR about the Pearl Harbor attacks.

Main Characters:

Joe "Stosh" Stoshack: He is very athletic great as baseball, but he has a special power he can travel through time using baseball cards.

Ted Williams: the baseball player who Stosh sees in the past one of best batters ever

Agent Pluto: the FBI agent that sends Stosh back to stop Pearl Harbor.

key issues: censored swearing, war, flirting.

other info: why did I give it this book this ranking?
I thought it was a really good book.
My reactions weren't extreme I didn't find anything that was a big moment.
I think any sports fan would tear these books apart because its a fun easy read.