Two Cultures-One Game-One Wish
Joey Marconi's life in the Bronx covered all the bases-the best pizzeria on the planet, a winning baseball team, and Yankee Stadium just a pitcher's throw away. But when his family moves to the country, Joey slides into a major slump. To make matters worse, his Nonna's legendary meatballs are starting to taste lousy.
Then he meets Bobbi Ming-a baseball lover whose face and heart bear the scars of a tragic accident.
Joey's not sure what to think of their budding friendship, but he relies on her to help navigate his new life-including school bullies, Nonna acting crazier than his curveball, and a trio of loveable llamas.
There's a lot to figure out.
Joey and Bobbi make a strong team, but when Bobbi buckles under the weight of being teased, Joey must decide where his true loyalties lie-with his new friend, or the biggest baseball game of his life.
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Engaging Story!
Aug 16th 2025Year of the Meatball is a heartfelt middle-grade chapter book that demonstrates the power of friendship and shared vulnerability into a humorous and sometimes serious story.
The story begins with Joey’s reluctant move from the city to a rural area where the only sign of excitement is the llama farm down the road. Coming from a family that thrives on big, loud gatherings and pasta dinners, Joey feels isolated and misses his close friends and baseball team.
Bobbi’s grandfather lives on a llama farm, where Bobbi helps take care of the animals. Bobbie has endured stares and whispered comments about her appearance. However, Bobbi finds solace in the llamas, animals as unique as she sometimes feels. Her quiet life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Joey, the new kid in town.
Although Joey initially decides not to form a friendship with Bobbi, this unlikely pair defies expectations and goes on to build a heartfelt bond that leaves readers satisfied and happy for the main characters.
A great read for middle grade students that shows resilience and the emotional connection between friends. -
A Sure-Fire Hit
Aug 15th 2025Joey Marconi is not happy about moving to the country. He will miss city life, his friends, and especially being on the baseball team. To make matters worse, his grandma, who once made the best meatballs, is experiencing dementia. Then he meets Bobbi Ming, a girl his age who had an accident which caused scars on her face. As it turns out, Bobbi loves baseball as much as Joey does, and the two form a bond. But when Joey's old friends come to visit, they are not as understanding about Bobbi's scars and Joey is torn between loyalties. This is such a great story about friendship, kindness, acceptance, and -- of course -- baseball! But you don't have to be into sports to enjoy this book. Both boys and girls will relate to Joey's ups and downs and will be rooting for him at the end!
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Family, friendship, baseball
Aug 15th 2025When Joey Marconi’s parents decide to move to the country, they think they’ve hit an out-of-the-park home run. City-loving Joey sees it as more of a foul ball. Who would give up the exciting pace of the greatest city in the world to watch the grass grow? Not to mention, he’d lose his best friends, his place on the school baseball team, New York-style pizza, Italian pastry shops, and Yankee stadium. What could he possibly gain? Angela Calabrese’s debut novel, Year of the Meatball, answers that question and more as it follows Joey’s reluctant journey. Exploring themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and tradition, Calabrese gives us an intimate look at the shifting priorities of adolescence and how, ultimately, change can be a good thing.
Two Cultures-One Game-One Wish
Joey Marconi's life in the Bronx covered all the bases-the best pizzeria on the planet, a winning baseball team, and Yankee Stadium just a pitcher's throw away. But when his family moves to the country, Joey slides into a major slump. To make matters worse, his Nonna's legendary meatballs are starting to taste lousy.
Then he meets Bobbi Ming-a baseball lover whose face and heart bear the scars of a tragic accident.
Joey's not sure what to think of their budding friendship, but he relies on her to help navigate his new life-including school bullies, Nonna acting crazier than his curveball, and a trio of loveable llamas.
There's a lot to figure out.
Joey and Bobbi make a strong team, but when Bobbi buckles under the weight of being teased, Joey must decide where his true loyalties lie-with his new friend, or the biggest baseball game of his life.
-
Engaging Story!
Aug 16th 2025Year of the Meatball is a heartfelt middle-grade chapter book that demonstrates the power of friendship and shared vulnerability into a humorous and sometimes serious story.
The story begins with Joey’s reluctant move from the city to a rural area where the only sign of excitement is the llama farm down the road. Coming from a family that thrives on big, loud gatherings and pasta dinners, Joey feels isolated and misses his close friends and baseball team.
Bobbi’s grandfather lives on a llama farm, where Bobbi helps take care of the animals. Bobbie has endured stares and whispered comments about her appearance. However, Bobbi finds solace in the llamas, animals as unique as she sometimes feels. Her quiet life takes an unexpected turn when she encounters Joey, the new kid in town.
Although Joey initially decides not to form a friendship with Bobbi, this unlikely pair defies expectations and goes on to build a heartfelt bond that leaves readers satisfied and happy for the main characters.
A great read for middle grade students that shows resilience and the emotional connection between friends. -
A Sure-Fire Hit
Aug 15th 2025Joey Marconi is not happy about moving to the country. He will miss city life, his friends, and especially being on the baseball team. To make matters worse, his grandma, who once made the best meatballs, is experiencing dementia. Then he meets Bobbi Ming, a girl his age who had an accident which caused scars on her face. As it turns out, Bobbi loves baseball as much as Joey does, and the two form a bond. But when Joey's old friends come to visit, they are not as understanding about Bobbi's scars and Joey is torn between loyalties. This is such a great story about friendship, kindness, acceptance, and -- of course -- baseball! But you don't have to be into sports to enjoy this book. Both boys and girls will relate to Joey's ups and downs and will be rooting for him at the end!
-
Family, friendship, baseball
Aug 15th 2025When Joey Marconi’s parents decide to move to the country, they think they’ve hit an out-of-the-park home run. City-loving Joey sees it as more of a foul ball. Who would give up the exciting pace of the greatest city in the world to watch the grass grow? Not to mention, he’d lose his best friends, his place on the school baseball team, New York-style pizza, Italian pastry shops, and Yankee stadium. What could he possibly gain? Angela Calabrese’s debut novel, Year of the Meatball, answers that question and more as it follows Joey’s reluctant journey. Exploring themes of friendship, family, loyalty, and tradition, Calabrese gives us an intimate look at the shifting priorities of adolescence and how, ultimately, change can be a good thing.
