Mop, Moondance and the Nagasaki Knight

T.J., his younger brother Moondance and their best friend Mop are together again in a sequel to Me, Mop, and the Moondance Kid. This time their baseball team is participating in a tournament with two other American teams and three foreign teams. T.J. and Moondance are confused: their father says the most critical thing is to win, but their coach believes that friendship and goodwill are more important. To complicate matters, Mom tells T.J. and Moondance she is going to have a baby, and the boys discover a teammate is homeless. Through honest, perceptive narration, T.J. reflects upon the events which take place during the tournament--both on and off the field. Myers's droll, skillful characterizations dominate this entertaining story, which adroitly explores the significance of communication between friends, family and community members, and considers both the serious and humorous consequences of a breakdown in communication. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)