What's Wrong With Eddie? by Elizabeth Janoski

Pre-teen, sixth grader, Susan Hollis is third baseman and second back-up pitcher on the school team. Nick-named “Sly” by the coach because she disguises her pitches, and preferring jeans to dresses, Susan is at that age when she considers all the boys she knows to be “jerks.” But, she is extremely sensitive to their reactions towards her as the only girl on the team, and she is concerned how other girls relate to her.

Eddie, the team’s top pitcher, is her friend. It is Eddie who tells her that she should think before she speaks if she speaks at all; it is Eddie to whom she admits that she can be wrong; and it is Eddie’s story that she tells.

Through Susan’s viewpoint, we enjoy a sprightly summer story of friendship and adventure sprinkled with leprechaun gold dust. The setting is Centerville, a one-traffic-light small town with a middle class commuter population. “Lep” the leprechaun has been transported here by the Leprechaun King Fionvarra to steal gold to fix the crack in his royal crown. The shabbily dressed Lep has already duped the king into believing that he has no gold of his own, although in truth he has a rich cache secreted in Knockma, Ireland. It soon becomes very apparent to Lep that gold pickings in Centerville are slim, and he becomes a prankster. What’s wrong with Eddie is Lep’s pranking attachment to him and Eddie’s resulting odd behavior. Fortunately, Susan, too, sees Lep. The two friends research leprechauns at the library and talk to Lep for particular information. They resolve to get King Fionvarra to take Lep back. Their adventure includes neutralizing Lep’s antics and a final sports battle between Eddie and King Fionvarra.

Susan’s admiration for Eddie is apparent in her portrayal of him as a good pitcher, intelligent in planning and follow through, and courageous in battle.

What’s Wrong With Eddie? is a wholesome, fast-paced, pre-teen story.

Elizabeth Janowski is a resident of Pennsylvania. She is also the author of 'Mountain Song'.