When Andy Ramos was in grade school his parents were friends with a woman whose daughter was a little loco. Unfortunately, whenever crazy little Glory had a meltdown Andy was the one they got to calm her down, earning both of them embarassing reputations. When the mother and daughter left, Andy re-invented himself. Taking the trumpet lessons he took from his grandfather and melding music and talent Andy became the skateboarding trumpter "painting" the scenes around him with his own blend of musical instrumentation.

The summer that Andy and his band are ready to "break out" who comes back but Glory. However, the Glory that has returned is not the crazy little girl Andy knew, she's now a driven softball player obsessed with becoming a leading pitcher on a national team. As fate would have it Andy and Glory learn to play off each other, inspiring and driving their respective abilities to new heights. But, is this effect a mystical connection or are they being manipulated by another force?

Under the Baseball Moon has got to be one of the most unusual stories I've read in a while. The content involving a trumpet player and softball player, the music, the language and storytelling are all unusual and inspired. Although the Crossroads references are something I'm familiar with, not much else was. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and think it would be a great recommendation for kids pre-teen and up.

My review of this fantastic book:

There are a lot of books out there on the market. There are good books, there are bad books. Sometimes there are books that stand out as great. "Under the Baseball Moon" by John H. Ritter is one of those stand out books. It's about a teenage boy named Andy who has dreams of using his unique style of trumpet playing to become famous. Things become complicated when Andy crosses paths with his childhood friend, Glory Martinez, who has a dream of her own of becoming an Olympic softball pitcher. Things are further complicated when Andy meets a mysterious man in black who offers Andy fame and fortune for free. BUT what's the cost of free? This book is exceptionally well written and easy to follow. There are many dynamic characters with their own personality. This combined with the author's witty remarks makes an awesome duo.

What I liked most about this book is that it's captivating. In many sports books you lose interest due to predictability and cliche endings. Overall this book was fantastic. I would definitely recommend "Under the Baseball Moon" to anyone looking for a fun read.

I have never enjoyed a book so much or been so surprised by a book as I was by Under the Baseball Moon. You start off thinking it's a sports story, then you realize it's a musicians story, then you see that it's really both mixed in together and SO MUCH more. It's very difficult for me to descrbe it, only to say this book now stands as my favorite book of all time. It's humorous and mysterious and has the most amazing plot and so many interesting characters you really like. You get so taken away by this mysterious thing that's happening to Andy and Glory that they become like your closest friends since it sweeps you away too.

I won't spoil it for you except that you need to pay attention all the way through tthe book because the ending will ASTOUND you. I hope they make a movie out of this book real soon so then I can see everything that happens in real life. I would say ten stars if I could its such a good book!!

John H. Ritter returns with another great baseball fable, this time adding the elements of jazz music and a little more romance. Just as in THE BOY WHO SAVED BASEBALL, there is still a bit of possible magic and some very quirky and entertaining characters, including a protagonist on a mission, Andy Ramos. According to Andy's heartthrob, Glory Martinez, when the moon looms large during a daytime baseball game, it is what fans call "a baseball moon."

Just as Andy and his friends, Tran and Lil Lobo, hope for the success of their garage band, Glory also dreams of being a big softball star. She and Andy discover that his trumpet seems to infuse her softball playing with magical power. A few musical "improvs" on Andy's trumpet, and Glory's pitching and hitting improve "two hundred percent better," according to her best friend, Kayla. Together, the two will do amazing things, under the "baseball moon".

John Ritter weaves his usual magic and creates an even better novel--a little more literarily complex, just as magical, and even funnier than his earlier works. Recommended for ages 11 to 18. (Please see the latest issue of VOYA for even more details.)

The finest contemporary author of baseball books for teens has written not just another baseball - or, in this case, softball - book; rather, a multilayered and thoroughly engrossing love story starring two 15-year-olds determined that this will be their "breakout summer."

Freestyle skateboarder Andy Ramos "paints the town" with his old trumpet and his unique style of music, "cultural fusion." Glory Martinez also has grand dreams, of a career in fast-pitch softball. Yet first she needs to make the travelball team and impress the scout from UC Berkeley.

Andy and Glory soon realize that each makes the other's craft better - takes it to a higher level. But is some strange "outside force" responsible for Andy's breaks, or Glory's shoulder problems? Did Andy make a deal with the devil? What's going on in this "organical beach town filled with soul," Ocean Beach, California?

This magical mystery tale is told with brilliance, grace and style, from the lyrical first page to Andy's song lyrics that end it. "Under the Baseball Moon" gets my vote for breakout book of the summer.

(A version of this review originally appeared in the Palo Alto Weekly.)