In his first novel for young readers, Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon (author of The Adventures of Kavalier & Clay) creates a vivid fantastic world where baseball is king.

　　Chabon said he decided to try his hand at a children’s fantasy because he wanted to write something that would interest his three kids.

　　The story has a few things in common with the Harry Potter books: imaginary world and marvelous magic, which are the necessary elements to attract teenagers.

　　The story centers on young Ethan Feld. Following the death of his mother, 11-year-old Ethan and his father move to Clam Island, Wash. Ethan’s father is a crackpot* inventor and baseball fan. He has invented a new dirigible* which is even lighter than air!

　　Unfortunately, Ethan’s father is kidnaped* by evil troublemaker Coyote, who hopes to use one of Dad’s inventions in his plot* to kill the universe.

　　Ethan and his teammate, Jennifer T. Rideout, set out to find Dad. They search between our world, called the Midling, and several other worlds, including Summerland. Summerland is a place in which baseball-loving “ferishers” live. The ferishers regard Ethan as the hero they need to save the universe from Coyote.

　　Ethan soon accepts a mission to save the world from the destruction at Coyote’s hand. Ethan gathers enough companions, including a morose* Sasquatch*, to put together a ball club. Now, the fate of the universe just might hinge on* the duel* between Ethan’s gang and Coyote’s all-stars.

　　Impressively*, the author also writes about baseball history, folklore and environmental themes to both challenge and entertain readers.