"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)