This book became one of my truly unexpected favorites. I was initially hesitant about the narrative style (this book is told in the form of letters along with newspaper clipping and other miscellany from a young boy to his baseball hero) but after a few letters found that this was the perfect way to tell this story. It is a lovely book, funny and poignant at the same time.

It is essentially a coming of age story (notice the title)set in the 1940's that shows the main character Joey Margolis' relationship with an up and coming baseball star named Charlie Banks. As World War two approaches the United States, Joey remains on the home front while Charlie is shipped off to war. The story follows their initial (Reluctant on Charlie's part, enthusiastic and boyish on the part of Joey)contacts full of misspellings and tough talk and grows to encompass what becomes a brother-like dynamic.

Highly recommended! A very quick read that will linger long after the last page.

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One of the first books which I've truly enjoyed start-to-finish in a long time. This is the story of Joey, a precocious Brooklyn boy, told in letters, news clippings, memoes, etc. and Charlie Banks, 3rd base, New York Giants.

Although the ending was somewhat predictable, I laughed and I cried while reading this book. What a different world Brooklyn in the 1940s must have been - this book made me feel like I was there.

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If you read this book in public you will probably be interrupted often by people asking you what is so funny. I can assure you it will be one of the most delightful books you have ever read, with an ending to warm your heart. I have recommended it to my friends and now do the same to you.

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This is a great story of the relationship that develops between Charlie Banks - a pro baseball player - and Joey Margolis - a young Jewish boy living in NYC. It is a great glimpse of life in the 1940's covering politics, entertainment, sports, the war and just everyday life. At times the book is laugh out loud funny. Very enjoyable.

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This is a wonderful read!!! The book takes place in the early '40's and involves a Jewish boy (his father has left the family) with an outstanding imagination. He's living in an Italian neighborhood and is being picked on. He picks as his role model a young baseball player and tries all kinds of ways to get his attention.

I really, really enjoyed this book. It's about baseball, the war, growing up, young love and friendship - not to mention my favorite character, his quirky aunt Carrie.

One of my best reads of this summer.

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This story is mostly composed of letters received and sent between a 12 year old boy and a Professional Baseball player named Charlie Banks. There is lots of comedy, exaggeration, pleas and even lying in these letters but they show just how much an avid youth would do to try and get to meet his idol and maybe become ballboy. It takes you back to the 40s in Brooklyn and shows how some kids were bullied back then and how they attempted to overcome the problem. The two corresponders develop a lasting relationship through their letters which are highly entertaining to read. I really enjoyed it!

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Laugh out loud funny at the beginning of this stoy of a young man trying to coerce a baseball star to be his friend. Story develops through a series of hilarious letters. Anyone who has ever had a precocious child will find themselves in tears of laughter at the audacity of this kid. Countless references to baseball adds reality to the story. I liked this book well enough to order a second copy to send to my son. Because we can all use a good laugh.

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Initially I saw this book at Borders and almost put it back. What a huge mistake that would have been!

This book will move you in a way you never see coming. I laughed out loud. I cried like a baby. And I totally recommend this book to everyone!

You do not have to be a baseball fan or know anything about baseball to enjoy this book. The characters are of their own ground and they will draw you in.

This book is a unique glance into a world of 12 year old boy who makes you see him and all of his wounds. It a story of how he manages to work his way into the life Charlie Banks, his hero, and trust me . . . he'll work his way into your heart in the process. You will not want to put this book down.

For me, in the end, this book represents what all good books should be . . . an experience of what blooms inside of us when we open the door the story's journey, of what we leave behind and of what we remember what we lost at the book's closure. And more importantly the feeling that I am better off having read the book in the first place.

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I REALLY, REALLY ENJOIED THIS BOOK! I RECCOMEND IT TO ANYONE WHO LOVES BASEBALL, A GOOD LAUGH, AND A HEARTWARMING STORY OF FRIENDSHIP AND LIFE. IT IS AN AWESOME READ.

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I really enjoy Kluger's writing style and his bold characters. This was such a sweet story and a very powerful conclusion. I loved reading it.

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A fast read but a delightful laugh-out-loud journey along the way. Rather sad ending but you see it coming so can prepare.

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Last Days of Summer by Steve Kruger has been recommended to me several times over the years so I'm glad I finally read it. Now I understand its appeal to so many readers.

Set in Brooklyn between 1940 and 1942, it features Joey Margolis, a precocious 12-year-old boy, and Charlie Banks, a 22-year-old all-star third baseman for the New York Giants. It's very much of its setting so the plot includes lots of references to key figures in MLB, politics, and world events (World War II) of the times.

Joey is a prolific letter-writer and develops relationships with a surprising array of fictional and actual people, including Charlie Banks and President Theodore Roosevelt, through his correspondence.

This delightful story is told entirely in letters, newspaper articles, interview transcripts, telegrams, event programs, secret notes, etc. It's laugh-out-loud funny in many places, and touching and emotional in others. It's the perfect blend of baseball for sports fans and personal relationships for readers of character-driven novels.

I listened to the audiobook expertly narrated by Mike Chamberlain while following along in the print book and thoroughly enjoyed the tandem reading experience. This title celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, but its themes continue to be relevant today.

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Didn't really know what to expect when i ordered this book. Put off starting it. Well, I thoroughly enjoyed it. A young Jewish boy (pre WWII) abandoned by his father, raised by his mother & maiden aunt, goes on a mission to be acknowledged by one of the New York Giants ballplayers. Initially, he is spurned but a very deep and moving friendship evolves between them. Written in part as a series of letters to/from them, it is a heartwarming, moving story. I laughed out loud, and cried at other times. Very interesting to "see" him become a man way before his time. Well worth the time to read!

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