Now Available!
Winner of the Gertrude Warner Middle Grade Fiction Award! Winner of the 2022 Mom's Choice Award!
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Winner of the 2023 Firebird Book Award
About the Book
Lucky At Bat is about a young boy named Jack, and his two rescue rats- Lucky and Gus-Gus. He discovers, through taking Lucky to Little League practice, that Lucky has a talent for baseball, and the little rat becomes the team's mascot and secret batting coach. This book follows the relationship between the two rat brothers, as well as the relationship between a boy and his pets. We see inter-team dynamics, as Jack befriends the other children on his softball team, and the rivalries that build between Jack's team, and the other teams in the league.
Tensions rise between Jack's team- The Bulldogs, and their main rivals- The Devil Rays. Danny, a boy on the Devil Rays, feels that having Lucky there is somehow cheating. Things come to a head, when a pitch thrown by Danny hits Lucky's carrier. Lucky and Jack feel that maybe a rat's place isn't at a ballpark, despite the fact that Lucky had been made an important part of the team.
It becomes up to Jack's teammates and Lucky's brother Gus-Gus to show both Lucky and Jack that they are special and important, and they should not give up on their dreams, no matter how big their dreams may be.
Tensions rise between Jack's team- The Bulldogs, and their main rivals- The Devil Rays. Danny, a boy on the Devil Rays, feels that having Lucky there is somehow cheating. Things come to a head, when a pitch thrown by Danny hits Lucky's carrier. Lucky and Jack feel that maybe a rat's place isn't at a ballpark, despite the fact that Lucky had been made an important part of the team.
It becomes up to Jack's teammates and Lucky's brother Gus-Gus to show both Lucky and Jack that they are special and important, and they should not give up on their dreams, no matter how big their dreams may be.
Lucky At Bat is written with Joseph Goldenberg. It is his first book, and is a sweet little Middle Grade chapter book for all ages. Featuring original illustrations by Erin Cutler. A portion of proceeds for all copies of Lucky At Bat will be going to Teeny Snoots Rat Rescue, helping small animals in need.
Praise for Lucky At Bat!
FIVE stars on Chanticleer Book Reviews
Alisse Lee and Joseph Goldenberg, a mother and son team, knock their new middle-grade novel, Lucky at Bat, out of the park... Lucky at Bat provides hope by the dugout-full. It inspires kids to dream big and shows them how to win an argument without raising a fist. This is a feel-good story about a couple of rats and a team of kids who have a winning spirit that will win your heart.
- Avis Adams
KIRKUS Reviews:
A cuddly, intelligent rodent becomes the hero of a sports tale that oozes charm.
- Kirkus Reviews
Alisse Lee and Joseph Goldenberg, a mother and son team, knock their new middle-grade novel, Lucky at Bat, out of the park... Lucky at Bat provides hope by the dugout-full. It inspires kids to dream big and shows them how to win an argument without raising a fist. This is a feel-good story about a couple of rats and a team of kids who have a winning spirit that will win your heart.
- Avis Adams
KIRKUS Reviews:
A cuddly, intelligent rodent becomes the hero of a sports tale that oozes charm.
- Kirkus Reviews
Five stars
Lucky at Bat by Alisse Lee Goldenberg is the story of Jack and his two rats, Lucky and Gus-Gus. My son and I enjoyed reading the story. The storyline makes it something that kids will enjoy reading and the lesson learned is a good one that kids need to remember.
-Julie Juhl on Goodreads
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
I was hooked on the storyline from the very first page, and once I'd started reading, I couldn't put it down... I adored reading this incredible book and I would read it again and again.
- Amy Louise Hill
Lucky at Bat is a heartwarming story for kids and kids at heart. Full of fun and inspiration!
- Brian and Dayna Lee, parents of twins and TONY Award winning producers
The Goldenbergs hit a grand slam with this charming tale of baseball, bullies, and one extraordinary team mascot. Fun throughout, with some inspiring lessons about the nature of true sportsmanship-- both on and off the field.
-Susan Diamond Riley, award-winning author of The Sea Witch's Revenge, The Sea Turtle's Curse, and The Sea Island's Secret
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
A wholesome story about courage and willpower, Lucky At Bat is an inspiring sports novel for kids and young adults alike.
- Pikasho Deka
I know nothing about rats, or baseball, but I know I loved this book! Now every team is going to want a Lucky rat of their own!
- An Tran, co-author of the acclaimed Horror novel Bath Salts
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
The story is simple, appealing and relatable. It also focuses on bullying and reminds children of all ages to have healthier relationships with their peers. Most of all, the book teaches us to pursue our dreams because everyone can be a winner!
- Maria Victoria Beltran
A book like this is so wonderful in building rats up as pets rather than pests, and the connection to a rescue will help families with proper rat care so we have fewer cases of accidental litters and unintentional rat suffering. We've all seen the misinformation about rats in society and my heart constantly aches for the ones who get left behind because they have a bad reputation. What you're doing is outstanding and is so, so helpful for rats.
- Kailey Michnal, Teeny Snoots Rat Rescue Founder & Owner
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
...an uplifting tale of friendship, love, bravery, and hope. It was an engaging read from start to finish... The Goldenbergs have nailed the market for wholesomeness with this.
- Jessica Barbosa
Lucky At Bat is a wonderful story filled with wholesomeness that should be a staple in every family’s home. This is a story that every child and parent will enjoy.
- Karen Dales, award winning author of The Chosen Chronicles
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
Lucky At Bat by Alisse and Joseph Goldenberg was a really fun book to read. It's quite inspirational, engaging, and heartwarming as it changes opinions on rats and proves that they can make great pets.
- Emma Megan
A delight! Weaves some beautiful subtleties about passion, bullying, and family dynamics into a deceptively simple framework, just like a certain game loved by the main characters (ie: baseball). Not to mention some absolutely adorable and relatable critters.
- Jen Frankel, author of Leia of Earth and Undead Redhead
Lucky at Bat by Alisse Lee Goldenberg is the story of Jack and his two rats, Lucky and Gus-Gus. My son and I enjoyed reading the story. The storyline makes it something that kids will enjoy reading and the lesson learned is a good one that kids need to remember.
-Julie Juhl on Goodreads
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
I was hooked on the storyline from the very first page, and once I'd started reading, I couldn't put it down... I adored reading this incredible book and I would read it again and again.
- Amy Louise Hill
Lucky at Bat is a heartwarming story for kids and kids at heart. Full of fun and inspiration!
- Brian and Dayna Lee, parents of twins and TONY Award winning producers
The Goldenbergs hit a grand slam with this charming tale of baseball, bullies, and one extraordinary team mascot. Fun throughout, with some inspiring lessons about the nature of true sportsmanship-- both on and off the field.
-Susan Diamond Riley, award-winning author of The Sea Witch's Revenge, The Sea Turtle's Curse, and The Sea Island's Secret
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
A wholesome story about courage and willpower, Lucky At Bat is an inspiring sports novel for kids and young adults alike.
- Pikasho Deka
I know nothing about rats, or baseball, but I know I loved this book! Now every team is going to want a Lucky rat of their own!
- An Tran, co-author of the acclaimed Horror novel Bath Salts
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
The story is simple, appealing and relatable. It also focuses on bullying and reminds children of all ages to have healthier relationships with their peers. Most of all, the book teaches us to pursue our dreams because everyone can be a winner!
- Maria Victoria Beltran
A book like this is so wonderful in building rats up as pets rather than pests, and the connection to a rescue will help families with proper rat care so we have fewer cases of accidental litters and unintentional rat suffering. We've all seen the misinformation about rats in society and my heart constantly aches for the ones who get left behind because they have a bad reputation. What you're doing is outstanding and is so, so helpful for rats.
- Kailey Michnal, Teeny Snoots Rat Rescue Founder & Owner
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
...an uplifting tale of friendship, love, bravery, and hope. It was an engaging read from start to finish... The Goldenbergs have nailed the market for wholesomeness with this.
- Jessica Barbosa
Lucky At Bat is a wonderful story filled with wholesomeness that should be a staple in every family’s home. This is a story that every child and parent will enjoy.
- Karen Dales, award winning author of The Chosen Chronicles
FIVE stars on Readers' Favorite:
Lucky At Bat by Alisse and Joseph Goldenberg was a really fun book to read. It's quite inspirational, engaging, and heartwarming as it changes opinions on rats and proves that they can make great pets.
- Emma Megan
A delight! Weaves some beautiful subtleties about passion, bullying, and family dynamics into a deceptively simple framework, just like a certain game loved by the main characters (ie: baseball). Not to mention some absolutely adorable and relatable critters.
- Jen Frankel, author of Leia of Earth and Undead Redhead
Trailer
Lucky At Bat interview on Speak Up! Talk Radio
Joseph and I talk Lucky At Bat, writing as a mother and son duo, and what it's like to be rat owners and baseball fans!