Left-Handed Shortstop

Casey, Tracy & Company #3

by Patricia Reilly Giff

What is Walter Moles to do? A budding ecologist,  he'd rather pick up bugs with his pooter than  field baseballs. But the honor of the fourth grade is  at stake because the fifth grade had challenged it  to a baseball game.



In the  excitement, Goony, the hotheaded captain of the  fourth-grade team, chooses Walter as his star shortstop.  And Goony won't give Walter a chance to confess  that he's a lousy ball player or to tell him that  there hasn't been a left-handed shortstop since 1892.  Walter has got to become a great shortstop in a  hurry or else find a way to weasel out of the game.  Can his good pal Casey Valentine scheme up a  surefire strategy that will keep Walter from striking  out?

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

About the author

Patricia Reilly Giff was an American author and educator whose warm, emotionally resonant books made her a beloved figure in children's literature. After spending roughly two decades as a teacher, she turned to writing and brought a deep understanding of young readers to stories that balanced humor, resilience, and emotional truth. Educated at Marymount Manhattan College, St. John's University, and Hofstra University, she drew on both her classroom experience and literary instincts to create memorable fiction for children and middle-grade readers. She became especially well known for the popular Polk Street School series, which captured the everyday dramas of school life with charm and empathy. Beyond those books, she wrote acclaimed novels such as Lily's Crossing, Nory Ryan's Song, Pictures of Hollis Woods, Eleven, and Genevieve's War, often exploring themes of belonging, family, hardship, and courage. Her work earned wide recognition, including Newbery Honors, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults designation, and a Christopher Award. Giff also influenced younger writers through her workshops and teaching spirit. Throughout her career, she remained a compassionate literary voice whose stories spoke directly to children's fears, hopes, and imaginations.

Reviews

[Sara Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice ending about friendship. And of course, gotta love baseball!