Pete’s Rose

By Heron Gardner

Pete Morgan loves baseball. After a game, he suddenly realizes that he has lost his glove; someone has taken it! That sets off a series of events that will teach him a valuable lesson.

Pete decides to do odd jobs to earn money and buy himself a new glove—but that might take him years. When the team loses a ball in Old Man Blodgett’s yard, though, everything changes. At first, Pete thinks that Blodgett is just a crazy old man. But when another ball breaks the roof of the old man’s greenhouse, Pete finds himself having to work for Blodgett in his rose garden to pay for the glass. As the summer passes, Pete finds himself learning more and more about roses—and beginning to feel empathy and respect for Blodgett. Meanwhile, he also deals with a bullying teammate and discovers exactly where his lost glove went.

In this novel for middle readers, a young baseball player spends a summer helping a lonely elderly neighbor in his rose garden and learns important life lessons along the way.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Heron Gardner
• Release date: May 17, 2016
• ISBN: 9780578174341

Book preview

Avram

CHAPTER

1

Pete Morgan stood at the plate facing a tough pitcher. The kid could throw. He'd already burned two balls past him for strikes, and Pete was feeling the pressure. The Hawks were down by one in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and two runners on. It was up to Pete to win this one for the Hawks.

He dug in, cocked his bat, and kept his eye on the ball. The kid wound up and threw a blazing heater. The ball was smoking as it came across the plate. Pete swung for the stars. This time his bat spoke! He felt the jolt and knew it was a solid hit.

Pete turned the corner at first. The fielder was still chasing the ball. The runners tagged up and started running. At second base, he put on the brakes. Then he saw Charlie waving him on. Pete turned up the jets and started flying. He was almost to third when Charlie gave him the hands down to slide. It was going to be close. He dove. His hand touched the bag. Safe!

Pete stood up and brushed himself off. He'd hit a triple and driven home the winning run. It was a good feeling. Then he heard the slap of the ball as it hit the third baseman's glove. He looked at Charlie. I could have scored. Why did you tell me to slide?

Charlie took his time. His jaws were busy working over a wad of bubble gum. Then he shifted the gum. You got the triple, he said. Besides, you're not as fast as you think you are.

Give me a break! Pete thought. I had that throw beat by a mile. It should have been a home run. But he knew better than to argue with Charlie who was taller than Pete and a lot stronger.

The next Hawk grounded out, and the game was over.

Pete walked home with his favorite Hawks: Rachel Roberts, Brian Crowe and Danny Martinez.

Cool, we beat the Tigers, Danny said.

Thanks to Pete, Brian added.

Win or lose, we're the Hawks! Rachel said, giving high fives.

Pete didn't say anything about Charlie cheating him out of a homer. It didn't matter that much. What counted was driving in the runs and winning the game. He could feel good about that. Then he realized he had left his new glove at the park!

CHAPTER

2

I forgot my glove, he shouted as he turned to run back. He searched the area around the Hawks' bench. But the glove was not there.

The others caught up with him.

Find it? Brian called.

No, Pete said.

You lost your new glove? Danny asked.

Pete nodded. He felt miserable.

Never fear, Rachel is here. I have a method for finding lost objects. She turned to Pete. I want you to close your eyes and concentrate.

Pete shut his eyes.

Visualize the last time you were wearing your glove.

Pete squeezed his eyes tighter. Everything went black.

Are you concentrating on your glove?

Yes, Pete said.

Can you feel it on your hand?

Pete thought as hard as he could about the glove. He could feel how smoothly his hand slipped into it. It was like a part of himself. He loved its new leather smell. With the new glove he was a cool hand out in center field.

Now this is very important, Rachel said. Try and visualize where you were the last time you can feel the glove on your hand.

Near home plate, Pete said. I remember taking off my glove just before I went to bat.

"X marks the spot," Rachel said, drawing a big X in the dirt. Everybody, spread out, and keep your eyes focused on the ground.

They began searching. Before long they had covered the entire field.

This method has never failed. I don't understand why we can't find Pete's glove? Rachel complained.

Somebody has taken it, Danny said.

Pete's heart fell faster than an infield pop up. What was he going to tell Dad?

CHAPTER

3

Dad shook his head when he heard the story.

Mother came into the room. What's wrong?

Pete lost his new glove, Dad explained.

I didn't mean to. I just forgot it after the game.

Well, it's gone now.

You have to be more responsible for your things, Mother added.

Pete didn't say anything about driving in the runs and winning the game. It wasn't important.

I'm sorry, but I can't afford to buy you another, Dad said. "You'll just have