Out of Left Field

By: Ellen Klages

Narrated by: Julie Dretzin

A story about the fight for equal rights in America's favorite arena: the baseball field!

Every boy in the neighborhood knows Katy Gordon is their best pitcher, even though she's a girl. But when she tries out for Little League, it's a whole different story. Girls are not eligible, period. It is a boy's game and always has been. It's not fair, and Katy's going to fight back. Inspired by what she's learning about civil rights in school, she sets out to prove that she's not the only girl who plays baseball. With the help of friendly librarians and some tenacious research skills, Katy discovers the forgotten history of female ball players. Why does no one know about them? Where are they now? And how can one ten-year-old change people’s minds about what girls can do?

Set in 1957—the world of Sputnik and Leave It to Beaver, saddle shoes and "Heartbreak Hotel"—Out of Left Field is both a detailed picture of a fascinating historic period and a timelessly inspiring story about standing up for equality at any age.

Critic reviews

* "A grand slam in every way."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

* "In her newest novel, set against the backdrop of the space race, acclaimed historical fiction author Klages returns in fine form."--Booklist, starred review

* "Katy’s mom . . . is particularly well drawn, as she empowers her daughter to fight injustice." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Featuring powerful female characters, this is historical fiction that doesn’t drag for a second."--School Library Journal

"Out of Left Field shows us, with heart and precision, what it really takes to make the world change. Katy Gordon is my hero. She's your hero, too."—William Alexander, National Book Award winner

“Heartwarming, fresh, and full of surprises. Readers of all ages will cheer for funny, feisty Katy Gordon as she chases her big-league dreams. Ellen Klages hits this one out of the park!”—Jennifer L. Holm, three-time Newbery Honor recipient

"They say that history is written by the winners. I say hidden histories, like the one ten-year-old Katy Gordon uncovers in this book, are writ large by winning authors like Ellen Klages. A book that's part sports, part rabble-rousing activism, and all around amazing."—Betsy Bird, School Library Journal blogger and editor of Funny Girl

A Junior Library Guild selection


Selected praise for Ellen Klages's previous middle grade novels:

"An intense but accessible page-turner. . . . History and story are drawn together with confidence."--The Horn Book, starred review

"Klages has a gift for opening moral dilemmas to middle-graders. First-rate historical fiction."--Publishers Weekly, starred review

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️stars all the way!

This book is so good! I gives you suspense and you can’t set it down wonce you get into it! I finished it in TWO DAYS!! It is definitely in my top 5 books! One of the best I have read ! This book is based on one event with many problems in it. The ending could maybe have a cliffhanger but other than that. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars no doubt!

Great book

I loved this book about women in baseball. I played little league when I was younger and I loved it!

I like it!

I think it is a good book just the narrator has some weird voices in there and she kinda annoyed me and so yeah that’s my review
-UNKNOWWN BUM BUM BUM