Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters

Written by Suzanne Kamata

Narrated by Nicholas Richardson

Thirteen-year-old Satoshi Matsumoto spent the last three years living in Atlanta where he was the star of his middle-school baseball team – a slugger with pro potential, according to his coach. Now that his father’s work in the U.S. has come to an end, he’s moved back to his hometown in rural Japan. Living abroad has changed him, and now his old friends are suspicious of his new foreign ways. Even worse, his childhood foe Shintaro, whose dad has ties to gangsters, is in his homeroom. After he joins his new school’s baseball team, Satoshi has a chance to be a hero until he makes a major-league error.

“A heart-warming story about a baseball player who learns that teamwork is much more important than being the star of the team. I loved the family dynamics and depiction of life, and especially baseball, in Japan.”—Shauna Holyoak, author of Kazu Jones and the Denver Dognappers (Hyperion, 2019)

“Pop Flies really pops! A lively, fun, easy read that draws you in and keeps you guessing.”—Dori Jones Yang, award-winning author of The Forbidden Temptation of Baseball (SparkPress, 2017)

“An engaging, sports-focused, family-driven Japanese spin on the new-kid-in-school narrative.”—Kirkus Reviews

Sakura Medal longlist 2021

Parents Choice: Recommended 2020

American Book Fest Best Fiction award winner 2020

• Language: English
• Publisher: PublishDrive Audio
• Release date: Oct 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781643717227

Suzanne Kamata

Award-winning author Suzanne Kamata was born and raised in the United States, but has lived in Japan for more than half of her life. Suzanne raised two kids and now lives with her husband in Aizumi, Japan.

Reviews for Pop Flies, Robo-Pets, and Other Disasters

[Rebecca Byrne · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

My 7yr old son loves baseball, so I requested and was approved to read/listen to this book off of NetGalley. At nearly 4 hours long, we listened during breakfast and sometimes dinner. It made for fun family time and felt very organic and off-the-grid.

This middle grade novel takes place in Japan. 13 yr old Satoshi is forced to readjust to life back home after spending a few years in America. He liked his time there, where he played baseball, was considered good and had friends. Transitioning to life in a small Japanese town high school proved to be a handful. At home he has to take care of his ailing grandfather who has a robot for a pet, his special needs sister and be a good son for mom while dad is away at his job in Tokyo. Soon he becomes reminded of his love of baseball and is determined to join the team. This book was great as it taught different cultures side-by-side. In Japan it’s more than just about being on the team, the respect is more important than the game. Satoshi faces hard realities and not everything is rainbows and unicorns. I especially liked that aspect with my son listening to it... we don’t always get everything we want. #LifeLessons

And speaking of listening, this audiobook is amazing for children as even in the first 30 seconds, the sound effects are on full blast. Every chair that moves across the ground, every baseball strike, you hear it.

The pacing is perfect and nothing is too in-depth for the kids. The narrator also does a fabulous job.

Thank you once again to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen!