Ballpark Mysteries #19: The Black Cat Change-Up

My favorite thing about this series is that my kids begin to work together and figure out alternatives to real life situations. Must have for kids who love to read and really engaging for those who aren't fans. They can't put the book down.

This whole series of baseball mysteries is very good for kids 5-9 I'd think. They could be read alone by a 2nd grade and up for sure and as a read aloud for younger children that love baseball and mysteries they are great and hold interest.

The Black Cat Change-Up is another hit for author David A. Kelly. Mets fans will enjoy learning about the history of the club, including their infamous losing streak that finally broke and turned them into the Miracle Mets. (Red Sox fans can also relate!). I didn't know that the Mets honored Jackie Robinson despite never having played for the Mets, but because The Dodgers, when they played in Brooklyn, were in the National League, like the Mets. David A. Kelly will turn any reader into a baseball fan with his series; you don't need to know about baseball to be drawn into the plot. The black cat in the book also speaks to professional baseball players' omens and rituals to ward off bad luck. Author David A Kelly has hit it out of the park, yet again!

My 7 year old son and I can’t get enough of the Ballpark Mysteries books! We loved Mike and Kate’s latest adventure, this time at Citi Field. What he loved about it too other than the mystery of the Black Cat was that he and I went to Citi for the first time in 2022, and his eyes opened wider when the book referenced a lot of places in the park that he and I went to.As soon as he finished, he was ready for mystery #20! We can’t wait!

My kids have loved the Ballpark Mysteries for many years. We own the entire collection and my boys were thrilled to read this new title from David A Kelly. Each book follows cousins, Mike and Kate, as they solve mysteries around different Major League Ballparks. This book is focused on the New York Mets. My boys love his books so much that they have even started writing their own Ballpark Mysteries. All of David A. Kelly's books are fun, engaging and perfect for young readers who enjoy mysteries.

I love the cat. Not as good as Harry Potter or the other Ballpark Mysteries. It's fun learning baseball history.

My kids have been reading the Ballpark mysteries series since they were very little, and so as soon as I saw a new story I bought it right away! True to form, another fun and exciting mystery for the kids to solve. I used to have to read it to them before bed, but now they love to read it all on their own. Highly recommend this book and the rest of the Ballpark mysteries series to any parents looking for books for their kids!

One of my favorite Ballpark Mystery to-date. Loved the scenes and detail at the ballpark in NY. Great for readers, especially any young reluctant readers. Highly recommended and can't wait for the next one!