Sour Apples: A Story of Friendship, Little League Dreams, and One Unforgettable 1970s Summer - Paperback

by Paul Jantzen (Author)

"A realistic, visceral portrayal of a boy's coming-of-age." -Kirkus Reviews

In the summer of 1975, Jimmy Hamilton's world is fifteen feet off the ground, a plywood fort with one rule: no girls allowed. But the summer has other plans.

With a brand-new best friend, a little league season full of strikeouts and spectacular meltdowns, and free-range mischief that escalates at every turn, Jimmy is living the kind of summer boys only dream about. A gruff drifter with a mysterious past becomes an unlikely mentor, teaching him more than just how to throw a fastball. But summers like this don't last forever, and some losses hit harder than others.

Fans of The Sandlot and the spirit of Tom Sawyer will feel right at home in this warm slice of small-town Americana. Jimmy is fighting to hold onto something he can't quite name yet, and the harder he grips, the faster it slips away. This is a story of friendship, first-crushes, and the bittersweet nostalgia of a summer you'd give anything to get back.

Some summers leave a mark. This one leaves a scar, a smile, and one unforgettable moment that stays with a boy long after the grass stops smelling like summer.

If you ever had a summer you would give anything to live again, this is the book you have been waiting for.