Rachel‘s review
This story was well written and enjoyable. The characters are believable and portray a strong sense of responsibility, and determination. I received this book through the Goodreads First Read Giveaway, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I have also had some of my students read the book, and they cannot put it down.
I love baseball. It’s in my blood. Even sitting here now I can hear the crack of the bat and feel the crowds in the stadium all around me. Peanuts and hot dogs, warm summer days. Take me out to the ballgame! This book was exactly what it proclaims to be; a sweet and inspiring tale of a baseball dream. It could be the dream of any young boy starting out in tee ball and little league baseball. I enjoyed reading this book. It left me with a smile on my face and that is a very good thing. This book is recommended for ages 8-12 and I completely agree. My sincere thanks to Jerry Pearlman for sending me this book to read and review.
Tami review
May 07, 11
I’m not a big fan of baseball, I actually don’t like it that much, but I do enjoy stories of people fighting for what they love, and this is the heart of this book. There’s a lot of charm in the relationship of Dusty with his father, who is not portrayed as being perfect but it does his best to support his son and believes in him, even through disappointment and hardship. In essence, both father and son put all their effort and hard work in that what they love, that is not only baseball, but each other.
There’s a touch of magic that I have always like in stories since I was a kid, and here it appears adding a touch of humanity and humour to this book.
It’s an easy reading, even as kid I would have think of it as an easy book to read, but sometimes, that’s all that is needed to enjoy a story.
I will be keeping this book for my son. He is 5 years old now and I think this book may help him as he gets older. I know that there is a lot of stuff that he will need to work through as he gets older including adapting to his ADHD. Since this book was an inspiration to me, I think that it could also help him.
This was a very interesting and easy to read book.
What a great story for young boys to follow their dream!!
What a great book! For baseball loving kids in particular! I really enjoyed it and my age is more than triple the recommended reading age!
An uplifting story of a father who puts in all his time to make his son the best and to believe in himself. This is a book that fathers and sons can read and enjoy together and a book that might encourage and inspire young boys who don’t normally read to read.
Look forward to reading it again with my own sons!
“That WAS the best baseball story ever” Joshua’s exact words when we finished the book.
I am like Dusty because I love to play baseball with my mom, dad & my sister. I would love to have a best friend like Randy. I have mixed feelings about “The Brute”. I feel that “The Brute” was mean but also was hurt & that is why he was mean. This does not make it right though.
I loved Dusty’s character and the relationship he had with his daddy. It is sad that Dusty had to go through what he did to find out who he really was (paraphrased by Mom to help with no spoilers). I took it on the bus and read it a lot. Tonight I finished it with my mom. We read it together. I think all moms and dads should read this book to\with their kids, boys and girls both.
I feel that this book was cool, weird, shocking, a little freaky & awesome. I give this book a 10 (even though mommy said I could only go up to a 5)
I have a few words: “THAT BOOK WAS AMAZING”! (Morgan’s exact words at the end of the book)
This book did a very good job of describing Dusty’s enthusiasm of baseball & life. This was a very inspiring book. I am not a big fan of baseball but my mom & brother got me very curious as they loved this book. I am so glad I read it. You do not have to be a baseball fan or a boy to enjoy this book. There is a wonderful lesson in this story. This was a quick read for me and I was left with a very happy feeling when I was done.
Range of emotions: happy, sad, touched, inspired and a little creeped out.
Dusty’s life journey is so turbulent. Every little boy’s dream..playing baseball with this dad. I fell in love with Dusty at all stages of his life. This book is a wonderful example of never giving up no matter what life throws at you. I also think that this story is a great example of how everything in life happens for a reason. (One of my personal all time favorite lessons of life). The ups & downs that Dusty go through are so typical of everyday life. We all have that dream that we never knew we had and did not realize we even wanted it until it happens. This is a feel good story with a slight supernatural twist. Amazingly surprising & so very fun! As with most sport’s players, superstitions are a well known tradition. The play on this one makes a great story.
The Great Brutester had a huge role in this book. He was the good guy & bad guy all at once. His story is a true testiment of being careful of the bridges you burn in life (or whose bridge you burn for that matter).
A Reader Reviews–”Tale of a Baseball Dream, ‘World’s Greatest Baseball Story’”
June 8, 2011 by Michele
A Reader Reviews—Tale of a Baseball Dream, “World’s Greatest Baseball Story”
I’m mixing things up today—I usually review adult books on Wednesdays and children’s books on Thursdays. I’m pleased to say that I’m part of Novel Publicity’s www.novelpublicity.com blog tour for Michelle I. Brooks’s Bone Dressing tomorrow. Stop by for that review, you’ll want to read it!
Now on to Tale of a Baseball Dream, today’s children’s book review. 
Jerry Pearlman’s debut chapter book for kids ages eight through twelve tells the story of Dusty Hunter and his great love for baseball, beginning when Dusty is approximately eight years old himself.
The book is told in first person from the perspective of Dusty’s dad. I was touched by that viewpoint. Dad teaches, encourages, and sweetly shows his love for his son, behaviors and emotions not always portrayed in today’s media.
All Dusty wants to do is play baseball, day and night. Dad is there with him, teaching him skills and strategies, always encouraging Dusty to practice, practice, practice. This encouragement is the underlying message of the book—when you have a dream, work hard and you can achieve it. It’s a great message to kids, whatever their dreams are.
In the background, but an integral part of the story, is the account of a baseball player from long ago. “The Brute”, as he was called, believed he had been mistreated by the fictional New Jersey team for which he had played for many years. Angrily, he put a curse on the New Jersey team, which followed them for decades.
Pearlman continues the Brute’s story from heaven after the Brute dies. I think kids will enjoy the way Pearlman portrays heaven, the Brute, and the Brute’s friends. It’s not a typical portrayal of the afterlife; kids will get a kick out of Brute’s life in heaven.
As Dusty grows older, he continues his deep devotion to the game. He plays Little League, Pony League, and moves on to high school ball. Along the way, Dusty meets with various levels of success, but his dream never dies.
When Dusty is in his late teens, his dream and the Brute’s anger come together in a spectacular way. It’s not a surprising way, but one that is nonetheless not completely predictable as kids read through the book.
Kids interested in baseball may get the most enjoyment out of this book. Pearlman doesn’t overdo it, but there are more than passing references to specifics of the game. I’m a baseball fan from way back, particularly the Pittsburgh Pirates. I enjoyed the details of the game, but kids who don’t know that much about baseball won’t be confused enough to give up on the book.
The story is fundamentally about working hard to achieve your dreams. In Dusty’s case, baseball is his ticket to success, but kids who want to succeed in school, music, or any other endeavor will easily understand that message.
The book holds personal meaning for me. As a youngster, my son was as enthralled with baseball as Dusty is, and he worked just as hard at it. As he grew older, my son stopped playing baseball, but he channeled that passion and hard work ethic into his career choice. He worked as though he had blinders on and made many sacrifices to realize his dream. I can feel for Dusty’s dad as he sees his son achieve what he works so hard for.
Pearlman writes a book that is easy for kids to read. The chapters are short; they do not leave kids hanging and they lead smoothly into the next chapter.
Parents will be happy that the book is interesting enough to entertain their child, and gives them a life lesson that will serve them well.
Batter up!
Tale of a Baseball Dream, “World’s Greatest Baseball Story”
Copyright 2009 by Jerry Pearlman
Produced by Family First Productions, Inc.
I think this book will be enjoyed especially by boys in the 8-12 age range. Fathers and sons can enjoy this book together and also be able to engage in some excellent conversations based on some of the themes in the story. Younger boys will enjoy this story as well, and dads can get an excellent opportunity to bond as they read-aloud together with their son. This is also an excellent book for reluctant readers. It is fast-paced and young readers will be able to relate to Dusty’s dreams of becoming a great baseball player. If you’re into baseball history, you may realize some parallels as well with the characters and teams. I won’t spoil the fun though. You’ll have to step up to the plate and give this one a read for yourself.
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Tale of A Baseball Dream is published by Family First Productions, Inc.
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Tale of A Baseball Dream 
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