The Aurora County All-Stars

Aurora County #3

by Deborah Wiles

Twelve-year-old House Jackson—star pitcher and team captain of the Aurora County All-Stars—has been sidelined for a whole sorry year with a broken elbow. He's finally ready to play, but wouldn't you know that the team's only game of the year has been scheduled for the exact same time as the town's 200th-anniversary pageant.
Now House must face the pageant's director, full-of-herself Frances Shotz (his nemesis and perpetrator of the elbow break), and get his team out of this mess.

There's also the matter of a mysterious old recluse who has died and left House a wheezy old dog named Eudora Welty—and a puzzling book of poetry by someone named Walt Whitman.    

Through the long, hot month of June, House makes surprising and valuable discoveries about family, friendship, poetry... and baseball.

Genres: Middle Grade, Sports, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Friendship, Juvenile

256 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2007

About the author

Deborah Wiles is the author of several highly acclaimed books, including the beloved Love, Ruby Lavender and two National Book Award finalists–Each Little Bird That Sings and Revolution. Her first picture book, Freedom Summer, received the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award. She is also an NAACP Book Award finalist, E.B. White Award winner, Golden Kite Award winner, Jane Addams Peace Award Finalist, and recipient of a PEN Phyllis Reynolds Naylor Working Writer Fellowship. Her most recent novel is for young adults, Kent State. Her newest picture book, Simple Thanks, was published in 2024. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia. You can visit her on the web at deborahwiles.com, write with her at Storybelly.com, and follow her on social media platforms at @deborahwilesbooks.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for a challenge and really enjoyed this it.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommend reading the Aurora County trilogy in order: Love, Ruby Lavender; Each Little Bird that Sings; and The Aurora County All-Stars. Thank you, Deborah Wiles. You are brillant.

[Katja]

DNF and I'm shocked, actually. Deborah Wiles is one of my favorite YA authors, but for the life of me I couldn't get into this book.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Old Mean-Man Boyd is dead, to begin with. House Jackson saw him die. Saw him draw his last breath on a warm summer morning and secretly called the ambulance to take the man away. On the one hand, this is good news. Now House can play more baseball and hope to beat the only other team around for miles on July 4th, the sole day of the year that they play. On the other hand, House grew close to the old man as he read to him. So close that he hasn't told anyone, not even his best friend Cleebo, about what he was doing all this time. Yet even as House is freed from his obligations to the newly deceased, a new threat is making the 4th of July game look near impossible. A pageant is to be scheduled for the same day and House's entire team has been signed up by their mamas to partake of twelve-year-old Frances Schotz's directorial debut. Now House must find out how to rescue his team from a fate worse than death, all the while unraveling the mystery of his deceased mom and her celebration of Walt Whitman's symphony true.

On a first read of this book I couldn't put my finger on the problem. What was it about this book that came so close to pleasing, then strayed? Why was Wiles failing to touch the heart of the reader? I examined the scenes, one by one, but it wasn't until I spoke with a colleague that everything fell into place. The heart of this problem lies in the first sentence of the author's Acknowledgments. "The characters in this book set up a clangor in my mind and heart a few weeks before I was invited to write a serial story for the Boston Globe, which is where this novel's seeds were planted." Suddenly everything fell into place. "Aurora County" proceeds at quite a nice clip until just about Chapter Five. Then, as House and his cohorts meet up with Finesse for the first time, the setting never changes until well past the end of chapter eight. With each of these chapters I found the action bogging down, the characters repeating themselves, and the story becoming increasingly repetitious. In a staged production this might be fine, but when you're reading a book for children you need your minor scenes to switch about a little. Particularly if they turn out to be of negligible importance within the full scheme of the book. It was odd, to be sure. Then I read the words "serial story" and everything was clear. I'm sure that changes must have been made between the selections of this tale published in the Boston Globe and the book we have before us. If so, this is a case of a writer loving an original work too well to give it the pruning necessary to make it into a children's book classic.

I did enjoy how Wiles drew in such different dynamic elements as segregated ball teams and individual protests against an unjust world. I liked the author's slow reveal of House's relationship with Frances. Wiles teases it out so slowly and so well that you don't realize that the two even have a past behind their more infamous encounters until the novel is nearly at its end. There were elements and flickers of light evident in Wiles' work here. Clearly "The Aurora County All-Stars" was a labor of love on her part and clearly she worked at it. What falls flat are those moments that could have stood a bit of consolidation and refining without much loss or pain. Instead, the book ends up unexpectedly bloated. Adult Wiles fans will be able to push past these problems and love the lesson at the heart of the novel. For others, it will be a little more difficult to unfocus their eyes enough to see the book that could have been. I look forward to Deborah Wiles' next.

[Heidi-Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you were to ask me to describe the plot/story of Deborah Wiles' other books that I have read, I might be able to give you a couple of words. But what I do remember--and am reminded with each of her books, especially in this one--how she combines humor, depth, character-growth, atmosphere, and life lessons in amazing stories. I probably don't remember the actual stories as well because of all the feelings and experience of reading the book that I take away. Worth every bit. And definitely worth re-reading. This one in audio was delightful.

(Hilarious note: I loved the narrator of this book, and felt like I knew her. Her voice was familiar. Though maybe she read some other audiobook before. So I looked it up--she's Mrs. King from Scarecrow and Mrs. King! Love it.)

[Megan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a strange book. What a wild ride. I'd say it's pretty consistent with Wiles' other books I've read, but not a new favorite. It's charming, but not as believable as the rest of the characters she creates in the other stories in this small town.
They did work their way into my heart, though. I wanted to be in the crowd as the children danced their way through terrible choreo in ridiculous costumes, and as the kids played their hearts out for a game they loved. I wanted to punch Cleebo and shake Frances and hug them both afterwards.
I didn't understand all the poetic philosophy she tried to weave in, or what lessons she was trying to portray. I'd say that portion of the story was a little poorly thought out. Which is sad, considering it's kind of the heart of the thing.
I enjoyed. I would recommend, but not /highly/.

[Catherine Griffith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Towards the end I was thinking, this would be a great movie. Was like watching a movie in my head and so many great threads throughout the book. Loved this author as a child and love her now as an adult

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I shared this with my kids. It was my second time reading/listening to it and I enjoyed it just as much. My daughter was afraid it was going to be boring at first since it has a baseball theme going but she was pleasantly surprised. Both kids said they really liked it. I want to get my own copy. This book is about facing problems and sometimes working them out but sometimes just having to overcome them. If you can get the audio version, DO!!!


I picked this book to read by searching for more audio books by Deborah Wiles that was available through my library's free audio/ebook download site. A few of the characters from her book Each Little Bird That Sings carry over into this one. Some of the same life themes do as well as the main character in this book, House Jackson, has to make some decisions in his life and "swallow his toads" (which is "crapo" in French LOL). I'm looking forward to having my kids listen to this book. Sweet book with detailed descriptions, characters and storyline.

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story gives the reader a sense of nostalgia for an older time and the joy of summertime. I did not notice until I went to post my review here that it was the third book in the Aurora County series by Deborah Wiles. I haven't read the first two books yet, but I have added them to my to-read list.

The narrative is sometimes slow in parts, but I discovered that the story was released in parts as a serialized book and that explains some of the repetition and the story being somewhat segmented.

I really enjoyed listening to Kate Jackson narrate the audiobook and I love that the dog is named Eurdora Welty.

interesting quotes (page numbers from edition with ISBN13):

"'The symphony true,' said Finesse. 'I think it's what's left when all the noise stops, when you get quiet and listen for your own true heart.'" (p. )

"." (p. )

"." (p. )

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

House Jackson just wants to play baseball, but a broken elbow put him out of commission for last year's big game. He's determined that nothing will stand in his way this year, but when the town pageant, that every kid is required by their mamas to participate in, is scheduled for the same day he fears that he might never be able to play.

I hesitate to even describe the book at all because the baseball game barely scratches the surface of this story, and readers shouldn't write it off as just another sports story. Suffice to say that readers should just give the story a chance, and it may surprise them. The audio is especially a treat as Kate Jackson does a lovely job portraying the eccentric but lovable characters.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normally I am very suspicious of books that have poetry before the start of every chapter; this technique often feels like the author is putting on airs and very rarely do the quotes have a direct connection to the chapters following. However, Deborah Wiles does a wonderful job combining the words of Walt Whitman and quotes from various baseball greats in this touching story of a young boy who loses a friend and gains a baseball field. House Jackson must overcome the death of a man who had a deeper influence on House then even he was aware; and House and his friend Frances find a way to blend a baseball game and a pageant that celebrates life. Plus there was a map of the town!

[Mabenalex · Rating 5 out of 5]

This really good book is about House Jackson, a 12-year old baseball fanaticic living in a small town. He is the team of the Aurora County All-Stars, and guess what he has a big secret. He has been hanging out in the afternoons by a weird old man for the last year because of a broken arm, locally known as Mean-Man Boyd, nobody can know.He is ready to play ball again but his teams biggest and only official game might canceled due to the same girl who broke his elboe. She and House bumped into each other one day and fell.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My kids (who are undoubtedly too young for this novel's optimal readership) were unbelievably patient -- more patient than I -- with its slow development. Baseball themes trump all, for them! The story had its heart in the right place, with Walt Whitman's "symphony true" ideal of the interdependence of all things and therefore the need to be oneself. Some of the humor made me laugh aloud. But in general I found it too *studied*, trying too hard to be literary. NB: I am not familiar with the previous 2 books in the trilogy.

[Meagan · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was absolutely the most boring book I have ever read. It was so boring that I had to quit reading it before I finished (I barely do that). The subject of the book was kind of like High School Musical, which is not the best in book form (if you ever read this book you will discover this too).

[Charity Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the conclusion to one of my favorite series ever. If you haven't already, you definitely need to read "Love, Ruby Lavender" and "Each Little Bird That Sings" first. We see a couple of appearances from characters in those two books in this third installment. (YAY Ruby Lavender is back!!)

While I did not love this book as much as the first two, it was still a sweet story. This one didn't bring on the tears like "Each Little Bird That Sings", but there were just some beautifully written moments. The language and writing style in this one is great. It has some moments that read like poetry. It made me stop and re-read some sentences. They were sorrowful but gorgeous, deep and moving yet still appropriate for a juvenile novel. Brilliant!

My only complaint was that it felt like the book stalled a little in the middle. We spend quite a few chapters in the same place, with the same few characters arguing over and over again. One character literally just repeated the same thing about ten times. It was a bit too monotonous and I was ready for the action to pick back up!

There is a little mystery to this book though, and I liked that aspect. I also really appreciated that we have a male as the main character in this book. Sometimes I struggle to find good juvenile books for my students with a male lead. This book is a lot deeper than most juvenile novels. I love that the male lead (House) and other boys in the story display a lot of emotion. Anger, sadness, embarrassment, and there is a good bit of crying from them WHICH IS GREAT. Boys feel emotions just as much as girls do, and that's not a bad thing. In fact, we see fathers cry and get emotional in the book too, and they don't apologize for it or get embarrassed. That is as it should be!

I'm sad this series is over, I'm sure I will be re-reading these books for years to come!

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love this author's books, have read a few already, but I have to say this was my least favorite. It did feel like coming home, coming back to this series (although we read them out of order), and that was a lot of fun. This little town- there's something to it that is so charming. I have to say this author can write, and write well, and she is spot on for her audience, too- she doesn't dumb things down at all, and it's great to see this. However, in this particular case, while this book tackled a lot of good issues, it did so in a glossed over, not real in-depth way, in my opinion. I would have liked to have seen a little more exploration of some of the bigger issues in this novel. Additionally, this book just felt really chopped up and off-pace, like it was cramming in too much, so it lost its punch and wasn't as engaging. I'm glad this wasn't my first read of this author, because then I might not have read other books by her and she really is wonderful. So even though this one might not have been a winner, I would still definitely stick around for future books for sure!

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wiles is a good writer. Her subject matter and protagonists are middle grade kids, but she doesn't dumb things down. This book is deeply entwined with Whitman's Leaves of Grass and the racial inequalities of early major league baseball. Not exactly superficial fluff. Plus she tackles death (like actually witnessing quiet death), loss of a parent, friendship struggles, and forgiveness.

This is sweet, charming, "still waters run deep" type of story that still appeals to kids. Baseball team allegiances (think The Sandlot, G-rated version), a funny dog, a crazy dance pageant...

I loved House Jackson and his relationship with every single character in the book, I loved the adults, I loved The Mamas. This book warmed my heart.

[faatima · Rating 3 out of 5]

A continuation of my Aurora County trilogy reread! This is the book that introduced me to Walt Whitman and Leaves of Grass, which are two entities that have admittedly soured for me in the past week given some discoveries about Whitman's virulent racism and xenophobia. Nonetheless, House is an incredibly endearing character, and it's wonderful to see him try to filter friendship, leadership, and grief through the lens of Whitman's symphony true. A few of the book's social contentions feel a bit outdated, but it's an otherwise inspiring read, and getting to see familiar characters from previous books in the trilogy interact altogether is so heartwarming! I'll never get tired of reading about Aurora County and its eccentric collective of children.

[Ashra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to read this for a library project. It was... okay?

The pacing was wild. They spend a third of the book on the morning of the pageant reveal just freaking out about it lol.

The book was the most fun when they were getting into their baseball game, so hype, so much silly baseball slang, guys being dudes + Ruby, my beloved. I was so happy Ruby got a big moment at the end. women!!!

Overall it had a nice theme about baseball being for everyone as well as the grieving process, but it just dragged on, for being a little over 200 pages. The writing style was very fluffy in places that it didn't need to be.

[Jeane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this book years ago..love Deborah Wiles titles.. but one of my grandsons needed a book to finish his reading goal, so I recommended this one. He finished it in two days and said he loved it. What else did she write?... and so it goes. "Each Little Bird That Sings" and "Love, Ruby Lavender" are now on his desk.

And being that one of my other grandsons is just finishing up his little league season, I thought I'd pass this on to him. But first, I wanted to read it again. Love this sweet story.

[Chrisinny · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story of a small town baseball team’s pitcher, trying to overcome the ignominy of having his elbow broken by a girl- thereby missing the big game. This year the same girl’s comeback and gotten all the Mom’s to support a fashion show- which conflicts with this year’s big game. Author certainly gets the tone right- this is right in the zone (like the baseball metaphor) for middle readers. The book didn’t grab me but that could be because I am not a middle school boy. Funny in parts, the book had good writing, but didn’t appeal to the adult reader in me that much.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories by Deborah Wiles have been so entertaining. They are sweet little stories of life in small towns, where everyone knows each one. They also are very heart-warming. They will bring a tear to your eyes in one way or another.

“The symphony true,' said Finesse. 'I think it's what's left when all the noise stops, when you get quiet and listen for your own true heart.”
― Deborah Wiles, The Aurora County All-Stars

[Jeanette · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in Deborah Wile's Aurora County trilogy was enjoyable enough but probably my least favorite of the three. I liked that the main character was a boy this time. Wiles can write a young boy as well as she can a young girl.
Once again, Wiles created a lovely story about forgiveness that shows young kids coping and dealing with difficult trials.

[Shanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and pretty much everything about it. I liked Each Little Bird That Sings a little bit more, but loved the characters, especially House and his friends. I also loved how she wove the whole town into something I could picture in my mind’s eye with such beauty and grace. Deborah Wiles has a gift, for sure and I’m glad she has chosen to share it with the world.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one a lot but there were a few details I had a hard time pinning down. Kate Jackson's reading was charming and did help me keep the huge cast of characters straight. There were many moments of lovely writing. House is a dear. The Walt Whitman quotes and baseball quotes were entertaining. And, yes heartstrings were tugged.

[Alissagrace Raynak · Rating 3 out of 5]

I highly recommend rereading books you loved as a kid. Does it have the same impact? Not quite (it was definitely closer to 5 stars when I was younger) but it still hold an important message about facing your fears, not making assumptions about others, and the unlikely things that can bring us together.

[Janae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had a lot of vibes from different places: The southern setting and visits to the elderly man were like Jem and Mrs. DuBois in To Kill a Mockingbird, and the tone was like the Mo and Dale mysteries. The baseball mania was like the Sandlot. Wasn't gripping but I liked it enough to keep going.

[Diane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Loved her other two books: Each Little Bird That Sings, and Love, Ruby Lavender but did not like this one. There is too much going on and too little to love. The pacing is off, though there are some good characters. Just did NOT enjoy it at all!

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this second hand and it really would be great for a 10 year old. I did listen to it and there is certainly nothing offensive and mild good guy kind of lessons. I would recommend it to adults other than to say, it was a good break from so of the other books I listen/read.

[Will Cunningham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book overall. I would recommend it if you're trying to get a book in on a car trip. Had some exciting parts and had some let's skip over its parts. Pretty consistent flow overall as well.