Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Bro and sis solve fun mysteries in major-league ballparks.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In the BALLPARK MYSTERIES series, Kate and her cousin Mike go to each major league ballpark with her parents, a sports reporter and a baseball scout -- which explains the kids' VIP access to players, parks, and managers. In every city, in every park, there's a mystery -- something is missing, something was stolen, someone is too secretive -- and the two kids try to solve the mysteries while enjoying the city's sights and, of course, watching a ballgame. At the end of every book is a bunch of trivia about the city, team, and ballpark so young fans can read up on their favorite places and maybe learn something new about their hometown ballpark.
Is It Any Good?
This is a surprisingly good series; the mysteries aren't formulaic, the vocabulary and lessons are simple -- great for readers of early chapter books -- and the stories are fun. The mysteries aren't always about a lost item or a crime; sometimes they're more about figuring out the best way to help someone. From kayaks in McCovey Cove (at San Francisco's AT&T Park) to a carousel in Detroit to a hotel inside the ballpark in Toronto and more, the cool aspects of each ballpark are fun parts of each story, and trivia buffs will dig into all the details.
The Ballpark Mysteries Series effortlessly normalizes gender equality: Kate's mom being a female sports reporter is never called out, she's simply going to work and bringing Kate and Mike along, and Kate and Mike love baseball equally. It's refreshing when equality is normal, and girls who often feel that baseball books are written for boys will likely feel differently about these.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the kids in the Ballpark Mysteries are able to roam free so often. Would you feel OK snooping around your local stadium? What age do you think it's OK for kids to wander without their parents?
Kate and Mike have constant access to dugouts and locker rooms and baseball stars. What would it be like to be able to walk into a dugout and chat up a player? What would you ask?
What other books are set in the world of sports?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Mark Meyers
- Genre : Mystery
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House
- Publication date : February 22, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 9
- Number of pages : 112
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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