“Wonderful . . . A modern-day Catcher in the Rye” —a poignant and hilarious tale of baseball, hero worship, eccentric behavior, and unlikely friendship (Portland Press Herald).

Last Days of Summer is the story of Joey Margolis, neighborhood punching bag, growing up goofy and mostly fatherless in Brooklyn in the early 1940s. A boy looking for a hero, Joey decides to latch on to Charlie Banks, the all-star third basemen for the New York Giants. But Joey's chosen champion doesn't exactly welcome the extreme attention of a persistent young fan with an overactive imagination. Then again, this strange, needy kid might be exactly what Banks needs.

“Last Days of Summer isn’t about baseball. It’s about a boy struggling to grow up without a father and a young man’s acceptance of that role. This is a story worth reading.” —Los Angeles Times

“It is compelling, irreverent, and will break your heart.” —The Dallas Morning News

“A winner all the way.” —Parade

“Funny and poignant.” —USA Today

“Buy it, read it, give it to a friend.” —CNN.com

“Shameless entertainment.” —Kansas City Star

“New contender for mythical ‘Great American Novel.’” —Southern Pines Pilot (North Carolina)

Steve Kluger