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The Goblin Pitcher
The one thing eleven-year-old Jake Lupo loves more than anything else is baseball. However, despite his father being a professional pitcher, Jake's fear of failing has kept him from competing against children his own age. When his father, who has recovered from a serious arm injury, is invited to pitch for an independent team, Jake and his parents move to Pine Barrows, a far flung forested mountain outpost. Jake is excited about his father's chance at a comeback, but he soon learns that he is not the only one in Pine Barrows who loves baseball. Goblins love to play baseball, too, and Pine Barrows happens to be chock full of them. Then Jake discovers that the region is occupied by two factions of warring goblins. Seeking to take control of the goblin kingdom, the leader of the evil goblins kidnaps Jake's mother and bans baseball, a game which itself is a natural source of power for the goblins. It turns out that Jake has a secret kinship with the legendary beings, and he is the only one who can save them, their kingdom and his mother. However, Jake must believe in himself and play a winner-take-all game against the best goblin players in Pine Barrows.
158 pages, Hardcover
Published April 30, 2021
1 person is currently reading
2 people want to read
About the author
Paul Lonardo
65 books54 followers "Dark Little Things...An Anthology of Dread and Terror," released in October 2023, is a collection containing 25 all new dark fantasy and horror tales presented in formats that include poetry, drabble, flash fiction, short stories, and a novella.
"Penny Dreadfuls," also published in 2023, is a horrorku anthology featuring 365 poems, one for each day of the year. Although this is a collection of many separate poems, they are all connected, with haikus relevant to the seasons as well as to specific days of the month. These Penny Dreadfuls are fun, creepy, and disturbingly enlightening.
THE DOG MAN OF DENNY-BLAINE is a new horror/crime novella, released by Solstice Publishing, August 19, 2022.
It tells the story of Sandi Diaz, who has a very serious problem with his wife taking in a stray dog. He feels threatened by the animal to the degree that he seeks the help of a low-level underworld figure to permanently remove the dog from his home. However, this invites more trouble than he bargained for. When he learns the truth about a disturbing myth involving a race of dog-men seeking to continue their bloodline with a human female, his life will never be the same. After reading this hair-raising horror/crime novel, you may never look at your dog the same way again.
Find out more about THE DOG MAN OF DENNY-BLAINE https://www.thegoblinpitcher.com/even...
THE GOBLIN PITCHER official website features all of my titles, including this children's adventure book.
www.thegoblinpitcher.com
THE GOBLIN PITCHER is intended for ages 7-12, but all kids will love this story, especially if they love baseball.
THE LEGEND OF LAKE INCUNABULA - And Other Fantastic Tales is now available, in both paperback and ebook formats.
While each selection was chosen as a featured attraction in the amusement park that is this dark fantasy anthology, the stories are quite diverse, encompassing several subgenres, ranging from urban fantasy to children’s stories, Lovecraftian to body horror, and even a ghostly romance. Like any amusement park, there is something for everyone. There is a narrative about baseball and superstition taken to a terrifying extreme, a mobster ghost story that takes place in a restaurant where the spirit of a mafioso who had been gunned down there haunts a troubled salesman, and a tale that delves into the dark realm of child abuse and how the cycle can be broken, among other chilling yarns.
There are eleven tales of the bizarre and unusual in all.
Enjoy the ride!
I have authored both fiction and nonfiction books in a variety of genres, from true crime to romance. As a freelance writer, I often collaborate with individuals to help them write and publish their biographies, memoirs, or to tell of a particularly compelling personal experience.
I studied filmmaking / screenwriting at Columbia College - Hollywood, earned an A.S. (Mortuary Science) from Mount Ida College and a B.A. (English) from the University of Rhode Island.
I live in Lincoln, RI with my wife and son.
"Penny Dreadfuls," also published in 2023, is a horrorku anthology featuring 365 poems, one for each day of the year. Although this is a collection of many separate poems, they are all connected, with haikus relevant to the seasons as well as to specific days of the month. These Penny Dreadfuls are fun, creepy, and disturbingly enlightening.
THE DOG MAN OF DENNY-BLAINE is a new horror/crime novella, released by Solstice Publishing, August 19, 2022.
It tells the story of Sandi Diaz, who has a very serious problem with his wife taking in a stray dog. He feels threatened by the animal to the degree that he seeks the help of a low-level underworld figure to permanently remove the dog from his home. However, this invites more trouble than he bargained for. When he learns the truth about a disturbing myth involving a race of dog-men seeking to continue their bloodline with a human female, his life will never be the same. After reading this hair-raising horror/crime novel, you may never look at your dog the same way again.
Find out more about THE DOG MAN OF DENNY-BLAINE https://www.thegoblinpitcher.com/even...
THE GOBLIN PITCHER official website features all of my titles, including this children's adventure book.
www.thegoblinpitcher.com
THE GOBLIN PITCHER is intended for ages 7-12, but all kids will love this story, especially if they love baseball.
THE LEGEND OF LAKE INCUNABULA - And Other Fantastic Tales is now available, in both paperback and ebook formats.
While each selection was chosen as a featured attraction in the amusement park that is this dark fantasy anthology, the stories are quite diverse, encompassing several subgenres, ranging from urban fantasy to children’s stories, Lovecraftian to body horror, and even a ghostly romance. Like any amusement park, there is something for everyone. There is a narrative about baseball and superstition taken to a terrifying extreme, a mobster ghost story that takes place in a restaurant where the spirit of a mafioso who had been gunned down there haunts a troubled salesman, and a tale that delves into the dark realm of child abuse and how the cycle can be broken, among other chilling yarns.
There are eleven tales of the bizarre and unusual in all.
Enjoy the ride!
I have authored both fiction and nonfiction books in a variety of genres, from true crime to romance. As a freelance writer, I often collaborate with individuals to help them write and publish their biographies, memoirs, or to tell of a particularly compelling personal experience.
I studied filmmaking / screenwriting at Columbia College - Hollywood, earned an A.S. (Mortuary Science) from Mount Ida College and a B.A. (English) from the University of Rhode Island.
I live in Lincoln, RI with my wife and son.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
June 8, 2021
Grady D. (age 8) for Reader Views Kids (06/2021) says:“The Goblin Pitcher” by Paul Lonardo is an amazing book with intriguing characters and plots that are just phenomenal! It tells the story of 11-year-old Jake Lupo, who accidentally stumbles across the goblin world. When Jake constructs a fort out of magical Rowan wood, he creates a portal to the goblin world, allowing Buach (Bw-a-ch), the evil, baseball-hating goblin king, to kidnap his mother, and replace her with a doppelganger. Jake has no choice but to challenge Buach to an epic baseball game, with his mother’s life and the game of baseball at stake.
I loved the plot, which is very intriguing, especially Jake’s mom being kidnapped, because that adds the question, will Jake be able to save her?
I also loved the characters, especially Ruadhan, who is a shapeshifter, which makes him pretty interesting. Jake is also really cool, especially when you learn that he is the only one with the power to win this war. It also turns out he is an otherkin, someone who has goblin blood from both sides! Can you imagine talking to someone and them saying, “Hey, did I mention you’re part goblin?”!
Another awesome part was the setting, which was very different from what you’d expect for a story involving goblins and shapeshifting magic! I mean, the book is set in the middle of nowhere, with no technology, and no one for miles! Really, who would expect that fantasy creatures lived here?
A connection I can make between this book and real life is how at the end, Jake ends up playing on a baseball team, and in real life I play in a youth soccer league! I can understand the pressure he feels, because when I’m on the field, and my team is down, I feel pressure to score! In the end, Jake learns not to doubt his abilities but to believe in himself, which is a message I can bring on the field.
I would recommend this book to 8-10-year-olds. Anyone who loves baseball is sure to love it, but even if you’re not a fan of baseball, the book is full of adventure, and fantasy elements that you’re sure to enjoy!
In conclusion, “The Goblin Pitcher” by Paul Lonardo is a spectacular book with a very interesting plot and a very good author. This is an awesome book for kids who like sports, adventure, and fantasy! I hope you like the review! Be sure to check the book out and enjoy the hours of fun and great reading!
I loved the plot, which is very intriguing, especially Jake’s mom being kidnapped, because that adds the question, will Jake be able to save her?
I also loved the characters, especially Ruadhan, who is a shapeshifter, which makes him pretty interesting. Jake is also really cool, especially when you learn that he is the only one with the power to win this war. It also turns out he is an otherkin, someone who has goblin blood from both sides! Can you imagine talking to someone and them saying, “Hey, did I mention you’re part goblin?”!
Another awesome part was the setting, which was very different from what you’d expect for a story involving goblins and shapeshifting magic! I mean, the book is set in the middle of nowhere, with no technology, and no one for miles! Really, who would expect that fantasy creatures lived here?
A connection I can make between this book and real life is how at the end, Jake ends up playing on a baseball team, and in real life I play in a youth soccer league! I can understand the pressure he feels, because when I’m on the field, and my team is down, I feel pressure to score! In the end, Jake learns not to doubt his abilities but to believe in himself, which is a message I can bring on the field.
I would recommend this book to 8-10-year-olds. Anyone who loves baseball is sure to love it, but even if you’re not a fan of baseball, the book is full of adventure, and fantasy elements that you’re sure to enjoy!
In conclusion, “The Goblin Pitcher” by Paul Lonardo is a spectacular book with a very interesting plot and a very good author. This is an awesome book for kids who like sports, adventure, and fantasy! I hope you like the review! Be sure to check the book out and enjoy the hours of fun and great reading!
June 8, 2021
For eleven-year-old Jake Lupo, life is not complete without baseball. Ever since he was young, Jake and his mother have traveled the country as his father pursued his dream of becoming a major league pitcher. Along the way, Jake has begun to cultivate his own skills in the game both as a scorekeeper and as a pitcher himself. The family’s latest move takes them to the small town of Pine Barrows in Upstate New York, where his father’s newest team is preparing for a game that has greater implications than any he has faced before.
Middle grade readers with an interest in baseball and fantasy characters will love the combination in this story. On the shorter side of middle grade novels, this book follows the trajectory of a typical baseball game in its design. Beginning with the pregame, proceeding through all nine innings, and ending with the postgame, each chapter denotes the transitions inherent to a traditional baseball game. Occasional references to specific baseball terminology and history enhance the connection baseball fans will have with this story.
Alongside baseball, Jake is able to see goblins in his midst. A great divide has grown between two warring factions of goblins in Pine Barrows, and baseball is the only way to resolve the challenges they face. Detailed descriptions of these characters make them seem markedly real, especially as Jake develops friendships with several of them throughout the course of the story.
Decent writing and an unusual and intriguing plot make this tale especially enjoyable to middle grade baseball fans. Though there is a satisfying conclusion, the story is open to a sequel and invites readers to return to Pine Barrows in a later novel. Accessible and memorable, this is a unique addition to library shelves for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
Middle grade readers with an interest in baseball and fantasy characters will love the combination in this story. On the shorter side of middle grade novels, this book follows the trajectory of a typical baseball game in its design. Beginning with the pregame, proceeding through all nine innings, and ending with the postgame, each chapter denotes the transitions inherent to a traditional baseball game. Occasional references to specific baseball terminology and history enhance the connection baseball fans will have with this story.
Alongside baseball, Jake is able to see goblins in his midst. A great divide has grown between two warring factions of goblins in Pine Barrows, and baseball is the only way to resolve the challenges they face. Detailed descriptions of these characters make them seem markedly real, especially as Jake develops friendships with several of them throughout the course of the story.
Decent writing and an unusual and intriguing plot make this tale especially enjoyable to middle grade baseball fans. Though there is a satisfying conclusion, the story is open to a sequel and invites readers to return to Pine Barrows in a later novel. Accessible and memorable, this is a unique addition to library shelves for middle grade readers.
I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.
July 2, 2021
Baseball gains an original and intriguing twist as it collides with a imaginative fantasy world.
Jake breathes baseball. When his dad, a professional pitcher, finds a new position for a team in Pine Barrows after healing from an injury, Jake's not thrilled, but it's not only for the usual reasons like weaker internet, friends or such. Jake has a secret. He's always heard voices, but now, in Pine Barrows they are clearer and he sees beings no one else can. Of course, this goes way beyond baseball. It's an entirely different world, and a danger is arising...one that will destroy everything he loves if he doesn't find a way to stop it.
Baseball is the first main theme in this one. Jake loves the sport, and it shows. Not only does he play baseball (of course), but he dreams of it. The author builds in baseball terminology, a little bit of history, and even creates the chapters in a way, which more than hints at the game. So, this is one for baseball fans. But it's more.
Fantasy trickles in quickly and allows the imagination to take flight. Goblins and other creatures create a world, which usually has nothing to do with baseball. It's a fun mix. There were a few spots which pulled a bit out of the world, but all in all, the tale moves right along and keeps the reader invested in the pages. Tension mounts as Jack has to save everything he loves, builds unexpected friendships, and shows the wonderful warmth of family bonds. In other words, it's an entertaining read.
I received an ARC and enjoyed the tale.
Jake breathes baseball. When his dad, a professional pitcher, finds a new position for a team in Pine Barrows after healing from an injury, Jake's not thrilled, but it's not only for the usual reasons like weaker internet, friends or such. Jake has a secret. He's always heard voices, but now, in Pine Barrows they are clearer and he sees beings no one else can. Of course, this goes way beyond baseball. It's an entirely different world, and a danger is arising...one that will destroy everything he loves if he doesn't find a way to stop it.
Baseball is the first main theme in this one. Jake loves the sport, and it shows. Not only does he play baseball (of course), but he dreams of it. The author builds in baseball terminology, a little bit of history, and even creates the chapters in a way, which more than hints at the game. So, this is one for baseball fans. But it's more.
Fantasy trickles in quickly and allows the imagination to take flight. Goblins and other creatures create a world, which usually has nothing to do with baseball. It's a fun mix. There were a few spots which pulled a bit out of the world, but all in all, the tale moves right along and keeps the reader invested in the pages. Tension mounts as Jack has to save everything he loves, builds unexpected friendships, and shows the wonderful warmth of family bonds. In other words, it's an entertaining read.
I received an ARC and enjoyed the tale.
September 1, 2021
I chose to read this book after receiving a free e-copy from the author. All opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
The Goblin Pitcher is a fantasy that children will enjoy reading. Jake can see goblins! And the reason he can see them is because both of his parents have just a little goblin blood from their ancestors. Unfortunately, the goblins are at war and the leader of the evil goblins kidnaps Jake’s mom!
This story is a page-turner and kids will love the nonstop action. The characters are well-described and their images are still stuck in my head, especially of Garbhan, a monster of folklore who “possessed a single set of body parts.” So, he’s pretty much an 8-foot tall leg!
Everything hinges on a baseball game and it all depends on Jake. Will he be able to save Pine Barrows and his mom? Whether they win the game or not, the book has a great ending.
The Goblin Pitcher is a fantasy that children will enjoy reading. Jake can see goblins! And the reason he can see them is because both of his parents have just a little goblin blood from their ancestors. Unfortunately, the goblins are at war and the leader of the evil goblins kidnaps Jake’s mom!
This story is a page-turner and kids will love the nonstop action. The characters are well-described and their images are still stuck in my head, especially of Garbhan, a monster of folklore who “possessed a single set of body parts.” So, he’s pretty much an 8-foot tall leg!
Everything hinges on a baseball game and it all depends on Jake. Will he be able to save Pine Barrows and his mom? Whether they win the game or not, the book has a great ending.
June 16, 2021
This book was such a great read! Jake is a great protagonist, and faces a lot of challenges with so much on the line. The story is engaging, and the world and characters have great depth. You don’t have to be in middle school to appreciate the magic involved in this story. I loved this unique combination of magic and baseball, and I’m sure younger readers will too!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews