Is Barnstormers a standalone book or part of a series?

It is the first book in a serialized multi-volume set. Because Game 1: Porkopolis ends on a mystery cliffhanger, you will likely want to have Game 2 queued up right away.

How spooky are the supernatural elements in this book?

Not very scary. It features a mysterious tone, a magical baseball, and phantom train imagery, but it functions like a mystery adventure rather than a frightening horror book.

Does my kid need to know baseball terminology to enjoy this?

No. The book includes built-in margin definitions explaining 1899 baseball terms, making it easy to follow even for kids who do not play the sport.

Does Barnstormers work well as a read-aloud?

Yes. The combination of short action-packed chapters and Loren Long's illustrations makes it a great choice for parents to read aloud to 6- or 7-year-olds.

Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin' Nine – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin' Nine

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2007

81%

WISE Score

Three 1899 siblings tour the country with a barnstorming baseball team, a magical ball, and a mystery left by their late father.

Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin' Nine

book

2007

81%

WISE Score

Three 1899 siblings tour the country with a barnstorming baseball team, a magical ball, and a mystery left by their late father.

Jump to

Where to Read

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased. Screenwise is a Bookshop.org affiliate and an Amazon Associate, so if you buy a book through one of our links, we may earn a commission. Bookshop.org purchases also support independent bookstores.

Screenwise Verdict

If you have an 8-year-old who loves baseball and enjoys a light supernatural touch, Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin' Nine is a solid hit. Set in 1899, it follows three siblings traveling with their deceased father's former team to clear family debts while unraveling a strange mystery.

Part sports adventure and part vintage treasure hunt, the book includes margin notes explaining classic baseball lingo. Just keep in mind that the plot is heavily serialized—book one ends on a cliffhanger, so have the next volume ready.

Age Fit

Best for kids ages 7 to 10, especially young sports fans transitioning into multi-chapter historical fiction.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Centers on three loyal siblings working together on the road to pay off family debt and honor their late father.

Imaginative

Combines turn-of-the-century barnstorming baseball with light fantasy elements like a magical ball and ghostly mystery trains.

Safe

Gentle middle-grade mystery with no graphic violence, profanity, or inappropriate themes.

Enriching

Offers historical context on 1899 America and features educational baseball terminology in sidebars.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Historical baseball flavor blends turn-of-the-century sports culture with a light supernatural mystery.
Loren Long's illustrations give warmth and visual context for early independent readers.
Margin notes and glossary items define antique baseball terminology for curious kids.

⚠

What to Watch For

Serialized cliffhanger: The first book (Porkopolis) leaves the main family mystery unresolved to launch the series.
Eerie tone: Features subtle spooky imagery, including a mysterious phantom train.

Conversation Starters

"How was playing baseball in 1899 different from playing in major league stadiums today?"
"If you had to travel across the country by train in 1899, what would be the hardest part?"
"Do you think the magic baseball is helping the Travelin' Nine, or making things more complicated?"

Deep Dive

A turn-of-the-century sports mystery for young readers

Written by Phil Bildner and illustrated by Loren Long, Barnstormers takes kids back to 1899, long before television or night games under stadium lights. Barnstorming teams traveled from town to town on trains, taking on local squads for cash and bragging rights.

The story follows Griffith, Ruby, and Graham Payne as they ride the rails with the Travelin' Nine. Alongside the on-field action, the siblings try to figure out a supernatural riddle involving a magical baseball and a phantom train.

How it lands with kids

For 2nd through 4th graders stepping into longer chapter books, the pacing is quick and accessible. Loren Long's artwork adds real historical atmosphere, and Bildner keeps the game descriptions tight. The sidebar definitions for vintage baseball lingo make it an easy win for sports-obsessed kids looking for something beyond basic contemporary fiction.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Related Guides

Best Baseball Chapter Books for Early Readers: A Parent's Guide

Build reading confidence and fuel their love of the game with these engaging stories perfect for young ballplayers.

Writing about Barnstormers: Tales of the Travelin' Nine? Put this WISE score on your site