Author: Derek Chadwick

1Baseball Joe of the Silver Stars

By Lester Chadwick

"Baseball Joe" Matson has recently moved to Riverside with his family, in this opening volume of Baseball Joe series. Joe is a wide-awake country boy who enjoys playing baseball. We follow his career in the series, and his adventures, as he joins Riverside's local nine and makes good, playing the position he most enjoys - that of pitcher, are recounted here. When not on the diamond, Joe is assisting his father against foes who are trying to steal Mr. Matson's machinery patents.<br><br>Lester Chadwick is one of dozens of house pseudonyms created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early to mid 1900's, to "author" children's series. Contract writers (whose identities were to remain unknown under tight secrecy) were hired to write the books in the series under the various names, usually multiple writers contributing volumes to a particular series. <a href="https://librivox.org/author/2025">Howard R. Garis (1873-1962)</a> is thought to have solely ghost-written the 14-volume Baseball Joe series. (Summary by Donald Cummings)

2Baseball Joe on the School Nine

By Lester Chadwick

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to go to boarding school and play on the school team, in this second volume of the Baseball Joe series. Joe is a wide-awake country boy who enjoys playing baseball. We follow his career in the series, and his adventures, as he and hometown chum Tom Davis enroll in Excelsior Hall and join the school nine, are recounted here. When not on the diamond, Joe is saving lives and assisting his father against foes who are once again trying to steal Mr. Matson's machinery patents. <br><br> Lester Chadwick is one of dozens of house pseudonyms created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early to mid 1900's, to "author" children's series. Contract writers (whose identities were to remain unknown under tight secrecy) were hired to write the books in the series under the various names, usually multiple writers contributing volumes to a particular series. <a href="https://librivox.org/author/2025">Howard R. Garis (1873-1962)</a> is thought to have ghost-written most, if not all, of the 14-volume Baseball Joe series. - Summary by Donald Cummings

3Baseball Joe at Yale

By Lester Chadwick

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to become a professional baseball pitcher. The Baseball Joe series follows his career as he seeks to attain his goal. In this volume, Joe follows the wishes of his parents and attends college, and seeks to join the Yale University varsity baseball nine. Much to his disappointment, he finds that he cannot immediately do so, due to a Yale rule barring Freshmen from placement on the varsity. We follow his college adventures through his first and second years, with emphasis on his trials in making the team in year two, including the attempts of a rival pitcher to keep him off the team. <br><br> Lester Chadwick is one of dozens of house pseudonyms created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early to mid 1900's, to "author" children's series. Contract writers (whose identities were to remain unknown under tight secrecy) were hired to write the books in the series under the various names, usually multiple writers contributing volumes to a particular series. <a href="https://librivox.org/author/2025">Howard R. Garis (1873-1962)</a> is thought to have ghost-written most, if not all, of the 14-volume Baseball Joe series. - Summary by Donald Cummings

4Baseball Joe in the Central League

By Lester Chadwick

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to become a professional baseball pitcher. The Baseball Joe series follows his career as he seeks to attain his goal. In this fourth volume, Joe accepts a contract to play baseball professionally, and leaves Yale to play on the Pittston team for the Central League, a "bush league" in the professional baseball hierarchy. Joe's career is helped by "Pop" Dutton, a famous pitcher now down on his luck, and hindered by a rival pitcher on the team, while at home, Joe's father is blinded by a chemical accident, and requires an expensive operation, which, if successful, will regain his sight. <br><br> Lester Chadwick is one of dozens of house pseudonyms created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early to mid 1900's, to "author" children's series. Contract writers (whose identities were to remain unknown under tight secrecy) were hired to write the books in the series under the various names, usually multiple writers contributing volumes to a particular series. <a href="https://librivox.org/author/2025">Howard R. Garis (1873-1962)</a> is thought to have ghost-written most, if not all, of the 14-volume Baseball Joe series. - Summary by Donald Cummings

5Baseball Joe in the Big League

By Lester Chadwick

"Baseball Joe" Matson's great ambition is to become a professional baseball pitcher. The Baseball Joe series follows his career as he seeks to attain his goal. In this fifth volume, Joe is drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the major leagues. A successful season of pitching is marred by mishaps beginning with a request for a loan by a has-been ball player and ending with the kidnapping of our hero. <br><br> Lester Chadwick is one of dozens of house pseudonyms created by the Stratemeyer Syndicate in the early to mid 1900's, to "author" children's series. Contract writers (whose identities were to remain unknown under tight secrecy) were hired to write the books in the series under the various names, usually multiple writers contributing volumes to a particular series. Howard R. Garis (1873-1962) is thought to have ghost-written most, if not all (sources vary), of the 14-volume Baseball Joe series. (Summary by Donald Cummings)

In this, the sixth in the Baseball Joe series, Baseball Joe Matson's St. Louis Cardinals contract is purchased by the New York Giants (today's San Francisco Giants). We follow the ups and downs, through the season, of Joe and of the Giants, and their attempt to win the pennant. When not immersed in baseball, Joe is saving babies and assisting Mabel's brother in recovering stolen securities. (Summary by Donald Cummings)