THE PRINCE OF FENWAY PARK

In 2004, the Red Sox finally won the World Series and broke the curse placed on them when Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees 86 years earlier. But the real story of the curse was played out in the underbelly of Fenway Park, in a richly imagined world of creepy tunnels, unusual creatures and an off-night game in the past, when a team of the worst cheaters and racists the game has ever known faced a team of good guys, including Willie Mays, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson and Bill Buckner. It’s the outcome of that game that helped remove the curse, readers learn, and paved the way for the success of the Red Sox. Young sports fans will revel in Baggott’s underworld and gladly follow 12-year-old Oscar Egg, who must traverse that world to save baseball and find home. Wrapped in the grand fun of the tale is a history of baseball and the racism inherent in it. Fans, especially the young residents of Red Sox Nation, will dig their cleats in for a thoroughly involving tale. (historical note) (Fantasy. 8-12)