Calico Joe
by John Grisham
Calico Joe by John Grisham holds a well received rating of 3.80 out of 5, based on 27.2K reader ratings. First published in 2012. The book spans 198 pages.
About Calico Joe
A surprising and moving novel of fathers and sons, forgiveness and redemption, set in the world of Major League Baseball.Whatever happened to Calico Joe?When he arrived in Philadelphia, a cab delivered him to Veterans Stadium, where he was quickly fixed for a uniform, given Number 42, and hustled onto the field. The Cubs were already taking batting practice. Understandably, he was nervous, thrilled, almost bewildered, and when the manager, Whitey Lockman, said, "Get loose. You're starting at first and hitting seventh," Joe Castle had trouble gripping his brand-new bat. In his first round of major-league batting practice, he swung at the first two pitches and missed.He would not miss again for a long time.In the summer of 1973 Joe Castle was the boy wonder of baseball, the greatest rookie anyone had ever seen. The kid from Calico Rock, Arkansas, dazzled Cub fans as he hit home run after home run, politely tipping his hat to the crowd as he shattered all rookie records.Calico Joe quickly became the idol of every baseball fan in America, including Paul Tracey, the young son of a hard-partying and hard-throwing Mets pitcher. On the day that Warren Tracey finally faced Calico Joe, Paul was in the stands, rooting for his idol but also for his dad. Then Warren threw a fastball that would change their lives forever.In John Grisham’s new novel the baseball is thrilling, but it’s what happens off the field that makes Calico Joe a classic.
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Author | John Grisham |
| Published | 2012 |
| Pages | 198 |
| Genres | Fiction, Sports, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Mystery & Thriller |
| Average Rating | 3.80 / 5.00 |
| Total Ratings | 27,244 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What genre is Calico Joe?
Calico Joe is categorized as Fiction, Sports, Historical Fiction, Fiction. Its primary genre classification is Mystery & Thriller.
Is Calico Joe worth reading?
Based on 27.2K reader ratings, Calico Joe has an average score of 3.80 out of 5.00, which is considered "Well Received."
How many pages is Calico Joe?
Calico Joe has 198 pages. It is a relatively quick read.
Who wrote Calico Joe?
Calico Joe was written by John Grisham. It was first published in 2012.
What is the ISBN for Calico Joe?
The ISBN-13 for Calico Joe is 9780385536070.0.
Data sourced from community book ratings and reviews. Last updated: April 15, 2026
