Throwing Smoke

Ages 8-11; grades 3-6

Whiz loves playing baseball, but his team, the Breadhurst Newts, just isn’t up to snuff. Something has to change, especially after they lose a game to the Mudcats, the worst team around. That’s when Whiz gets an idea. It’s far-fetched, its wild — but it just might get the team what it needs. Why not create a character in the dark, dusty print shop where he works after school?

Letter by letter, Whiz drops the metal type into place, then inks the press, lays down the parchment, and rolls the press.

The next day Whiz heads for practice early, before anyone else is there — yet he senses he is not alone….