Set in Philadelphia during the Great Depression, this middle-grade
historical novel tells the story of a twelve-year-old boy and his best
friend as they attempt to stop a wall from being built at Shibe Park,
home of the Philadelphia Athletics, that would block the view of the
baseball field from their rooftops.
In 1930s Philadelphia, twelve-year-old Jimmy Frank and his best friend
Lola live across the street from Shibe Park, home of the Philadelphia
Athletics baseball team. Their families and others on the street make
extra money by selling tickets to bleachers on their flat rooftops,
which have a perfect view of the field. However, falling ticket sales at
the park prompt the manager and park owner to decide to build a wall
that will block the view. Jimmy and Lola come up with a variety of ways
to prevent the wall from being built, knowing that not only will they
miss the view, but their families will be impacted from the loss of
income. As Jimmy becomes more and more desperate to save their view, his
dubious plans create a rift between him and Lola, and he must work to
repair their friendship.