Jackson & Franklin

by Shawn Sprague

Danny Abbot’s fifth grade year is crawling by, but things change quickly when he loses his favorite teacher and makes the Majors of Little League all in the same week. Unfortunately, his new teacher turns out to be anything but friendly, and that’s not the only bad news. A questionable maneuver has landed the league’s two hardest-throwing pitchers on the same team. As the season unfolds, Danny must face not only his teacher but also a powerhouse team that’s devouring the competition. (Ages 12+) Jackson & Franklin is suitable for younger readers, but can also be enjoyed by anyone who played sports as a kid and doesn’t mind taking a look back.

Genres: Sports, Fiction, Baseball

201 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 30, 2017

About the author

Shawn Sprague lives in upstate New York with his wife and three children and their dog, Sammy. He is the author of The Hills Report, a thriller that beat out three major bestsellers in a blind market survey called The Hills Report Experiment. To read more about The Experiment (or Shawn) you can visit www.shawnsprague.com or visit his Facebook page (search Shawn Sprague Author).

Reviews

[Katie B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Danny Abbot might be all grown up now with a wife and son but that doesn't mean he has forgotten his childhood. He looks back at his fifth grade year in the 1970s when baseball was such a huge part of his life. He remembers the teacher he loved, the teacher he hated, and all of the other typical stuff you deal with as a kid.

This was a cute story that had a Wonder Years type vibe to it. The author did a good job tapping into the feelings you have as a child and how it's sometimes the little things that hold a special place in your heart. I really enjoyed the role Danny's family played in the story and how supportive they were with each other. There really are some families that get along well so it was nice to see it depicted for a change rather than adding family problems to the mix.

To be honest the only aspect of the book I didn't like was unfortunately the baseball parts and I am saying that as someone who actually likes the sport. It just felt like the storytelling got bogged down with too many details of the game, at bats, fielding plays, etc. It kinda took me out of the story at times. I much preferred reading about Danny's school and family life.

Overall, it's a good story that I recommend reading if you are in the mood for something nostalgic that might make you reflect a bit on your own childhood.

I won a free copy of this book in a giveaway but was under no obligation to post a review. All views expressed are my honest opinion.

[Joel · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received my copy of this book via Goodreads giveaway, which has no influence on my review.

Jackson & Franklin by Shawn Sprague is the story of Danny Abbot’s fifth-grade year, in which his favorite teacher ends up in a coma, and he moves up in Little League. He also encounters bullies (both kid and adult) and experiences his first crush.

The book itself is a little difficult to categorize. Although it’s written as the reminiscence of adult Danny, it’s very much suited for middle-grade audiences. Except for the multiple uses of “asshole” and at least one “screw you!” It’s sort of on the border between middle grade and young adult. Slightly more PG-13 than the former and more PG than the latter.

There were some editing issues as well. Enough to distract me. I'll post those under notes and highlights.

There isn’t really a cohesive plot. It’s almost like listening to a couple of old guys at the VFW talking about their youths after putting away a few beers. They get sidetracked and go off on tangents, and by the time they get to the end you don’t even remember what the story started off being about, just a few points that stand out along the way, and that it took longer to tell than you think it really should’ve.

This will mainly appeal to former Little Leaguers (I think the game and the world has changed so much now that modern ones won’t be impressed) and/or their parents who look back fondly on the days of hustling from school to practice to home.

I never played in an organized league, but I had friends who played at high competitive levels, so a lot of this part of the book rang true and made sense to me. I even knew all the MLB stars who were name-dropped in the book. Even so, this book was just okay for me.

2 out of 5 stars

[Margit · Rating 4 out of 5]

Home run!

Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book for review.

As a baseball mom and assistant little league coach, this book brought back memories of when my son played baseball many, many years ago. The book very much captures what it was like to be a child player and what it was like to be the mom of one.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful read for younger readers

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good YA novel with a Little League theme. Brings backs memories of playing and coaching.

[Connie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Brought back so many memories when my son was playing ball and I was the crazy team mom/scorekeeper and occasional coach! Teachers could find lots of great 'moments' in it too

[Shannon Grant (anovellifeindenver) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review to come

[Rachel Butler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nostalgic. Strongly suggest anybody who grew up playing little league, has children in sports, or even had a childhood at all.

[Leandro Cordobez · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una linda historia que nos conecta con emociones de nuestra infancia. Recomendable especialmente para adolescentes.

[Lavender]

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I won this book via Goodreads Giveaways.

[Clipinchick]

I this book for free from the author/publisher in response for an honest review of the book. I have not had the opportunity to read this book at this time. I will add my
review of this book once I have read the book. Thank k you for allowing me the optometrist review your work. I look forward to reading this book.