Rookie: A Novel

by Jerry B. Jenkins

When his father is sent to prison, nine-year-old Elgin Woodell and his mother move to Chicago to live with his grandmother, where he discovers his true gift for baseball, and becomes a baseball legend at the age of fourteen

Genres: Fiction, Sports, Christian Fiction

447 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Jerry Bruce Jenkins is an American novelist and biographer. He is best known as the writer of the Left Behind series of books for Tim LaHaye and The Chosen novels to accompany his son Dallas's TV series. Jenkins has written more than 200 books, including mysteries, historical fiction, biblical fiction, cop thrillers, international spy thrillers, and children's adventures, as well as nonfiction. His works usually feature Christians as protagonists. In 2005, Jenkins and LaHaye ranked 9th in Amazon.com's 10th Anniversary list of Hall of Fame authors based on books sold at Amazon.com during its first 10 years. Jenkins now teaches writers to become authors here at his website. He and his wife Dianna have three sons and eight grandchildren.

Reviews

[Cody Swartz · Rating 5 out of 5]

During my 31 years on this earth, I’ve probably read over 1,000 books in my life and rated over 750 on Goodreads (I can’t remember all the books I read in a pre-Goodreads world).

This is by far my favorite book ever.

I’ve read it at least 10 times in my life. Maybe 15. I stumbled upon it by accident in my church library when I was about 12 years old. I knew the name Jerry B. Jenkins due to the Left Behind series, and I saw that this was a fictitious book of a kid who loves baseball and grows up to be the youngest major league player ever. What’s not to like about that?

But it’s so much more than that. It’s the relationship between a boy who tries desperately to connect with his father through a game that becomes a hobby and then an obsession and then a profession. It’s about a mother who does whatever she can to provide for her kid and realizes early on that she has a child prodigy on her hands. It’s about a kid who wants to succeed more than anyone has ever wanted to succeed in anything.

Do I think a 13-year-old boy could ever reach the major leagues? No. (And imagine what it would be like in today’s social media-driven society). But is it so incredibly fun to read this book and see Elgin Woodell progress? Yes. We all wanted to be Elgin Woodell when we were younger.

If you are going to have a kid reach the major leagues as a barely teenager, this is the way to do it. And - as an added bonus - Jerry B. Jenkins’ final page in which he included fictitious stats of Elgin’s amazing major league career was a spectacular ending to a sensational book.

[James Gisler · Rating 3 out of 5]

Loved this book as a kid. First time reading as an adult and realized how just ok it is, but still fun

[Caleb Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this as a youngster and loved it.

[Missy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set at the Dawning of the Civilisations of the Dune saga, Brian and Kevin have spun a world that we have hinted at through Paul and Leto II's memories. A good read.

[Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book from Jerry Jenkins. Although not growing up with baseball, it did appear to go slow in places for me.

[Edward Zitvogel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome book.

[Matt Dillard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite books as a boy, so I was thrilled to find that it was still fun to read. The book has been on my parents' bookshelf for years, and I decided recently to zip through it.

I love the detailed descriptions of Elgin playing baseball. They're smart, informed and interesting. As one who loves the details of the game, it's a treat to read. It's great fun to root for a young kid with immense talent and work ethic, and to see him succeed.

[Rick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just like you don't have to be a baseball fan to enjoy Field of Dreams, this one transcends baseball also. A love of the game will help inform some of the nuances Jenkins provides. But I found it delightful and at best am only a casual fan of the game. Check out the stats in the back--rich!

[Stephen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally unrealistic but i loved it anyway. Living and achieving your dreams by working hard and being of good character. 3rd or fourth time i've read it.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probably could never happen, but I enjoyed reading it.

[Kenneth Baird · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun fictional story about an adolescent who by chance starts practicing hitting golf balls thrown from a pitching machine and suddenly becomes the best hitter in major league baseball.

[Dgarcia25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

[Nick Black · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn't bad when I was 12, I suppose.

[Michael Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite book as a boy.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when I was a teenager and really liked it.