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A hilarious picture book biography about Max Patkin, a professional ballplayer turned legendary baseball clown, from the author of the acclaimed
Brothers at Bat and other baseball nonfiction.
Max Patkin was pitching in the minor leagues when he was injured and had to leave his dreams behind. He joined the Navy and eventually was able to play again while in the military . . . and this time he got to pitch against superstar Joe DiMaggio. When Joe hit one of Max's throws out of the park, Max threw down his glove, left the mound, and chased Joe around the bases, making faces and imitating his every move. The crowd loved it! And a baseball clown was born.
This inspiring and comical biography carries an important message: Life doesn't always turn out exactly as you hope . . . but moving in a new direction can sometimes bring happy surprises.
About the author
Audrey Vernick is the author of more than a dozen books for young readers, including Is Your Buffalo Ready For Kindergarten? and Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team. She is also the coauthor of the middle grade novels Two Naomis and Naomis Too. She lives with her family near the ocean in New Jersey. Visit her online at audreyvernick.com
Jennifer Bower is the illustrator of The Funniest Man in Baseball, her picture book debut, and the Chime Travelers chapter book series, and has done illustration work for Highlights Magazine, among others. She lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. Visit her online at jennbower.com and on Twitter and Instagram at @jennbower.
