New Mickey Tussler Novel from Frank Nappi
Written by Joe Scotchie: jscotchie@antonnews.com Friday, 30 March 2012 00:00
Sophomore Campaign available in April
In 2010, Massapequa resident Frank Nappi had a hit with his novel, The Legend of Mickey Tussler, the story of an autistic youth who ended up starring for a minor league team in Milwaukee during the 1940s. The novel was successful enough to be the basis of a 2011 television movie, A Mile in His Shoes, one starring Dean Cain and Luke Schroder, son of Ricky Schroder, who played Mickey.
In April, Skyhorse Publishing is bringing out the sequel, Sophomore Campaign, which details Mickey’s second season in pro ball and his continuing struggles in the rough and tumble world of minor league baseball.
The author’s own work with special needs students has given him a unique perspective into creating such a gripping character as Mickey Tussler. In the novel, Nappi deals with such themes as cruelty and loss, but with the proper realism and humanism that is the mark of any successful novel.
“The inspiration for the story is two-fold; it lies in the amalgamation of my passion and love for baseball and the truly remarkable nature of some of the special needs kids with whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and working with here at Oceanside High School,” Frank told The Massapequan Observer.
“The writing of the sequel was oddly easy in that the first book concluded in such a way that the characters were sort of beckoning for more time to allow their collective story to unfold,” he continued. “Every writer knows when a story has run its course. Thankfully, the saga of Mickey Tussler and the other ancillary characters is not over just yet!
“My hope is that this novel, like the first, will not only entertain readers who love baseball and a good story but also facilitate a greater awareness of special needs individuals, thereby engendering understanding, tolerance, and ultimately acceptance.
“I am presently working on a third installment of the series,” he concluded. “[I am getting] lots of wonderful feedback from readers of all ages.”
The Mickey Tussler novels, with a protagonist who achieves the dream of the average American boy, have been cited as giving readers an honest and accurate portrayal of young people and their attempt to overcome such handicaps as autism.
“The Legend of Mickey Tussler speaks powerfully, brilliantly to anyone who...loves a special person who is dealing with the rigors and challenges related to autism,” said a spokesman for Autism Speaks the nation’s largest autism advocacy organization. Such former and current baseball stars as Hall of Fame pitcher Ferguson Jenkins, former New York Mets great Darryl Strawberry and current New York Yankee superstar, Alex Rodriguez, also praised the novel.
Frank Nappi has taught high school English and creative writing for more than 20 years, currently at Oceanside High School. The Mickey Tussler novels are not his first ventures into fiction. Frank’s 2006 debut novel, Echoes From the Infantry, received national attention, including The Military Writers Society of America’s Silver Medal for Outstanding Fiction.
In addition, A Mile In His Shoes is now available on DVD. With April as both Autism Awareness Month and the traditional beginning of the baseball season, Frank is looking forward to more success in the world of creativity.
News
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Navy SEAL killed in crash was top student athlete
Jonathan Kaloust, a 23-year-old Navy SEAL who hailed from Massapequa, lost his life last Wednesday in a freak Humvee crash during a training exercise in Fort Knox, Ky.
A 2007 graduate of Massapequa High School and standout wrestler, Kaloust was recruited to Binghamton University, where he continued to wrestle while pursuing a political science degree.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Increased service will save local
commuters up to 40 minutes a day
A $40-million construction project, designed to modernize the Massapequa Station at Sunrise Highway (Route 27), just east of Broadway and Route 107, was announced by the Metropolitan Transit Authority and the Long Island Railroad. The station renovations are part of a multi-phase initiative to improve infrastructure and train service at the station that serves approximately 6,000 customers every weekday.
The first phase is scheduled to begin on May 29, and the improvements are scheduled to be completed in the summer of 2015. Over the next two years, the rehabilitation project will include the sorely needed replacement of the station platform and canopy, heated platform waiting room, escalator, elevator and staircases, pedestrian walkway over Broadway, public address system, plus the addition of signage, energy-efficient platform lighting, and a decorative granite wall adjacent to ticket office. The railroad is also starting work on the installation of a pocket track just east of the station that will significantly improve train service and frequency, as well as on-board seat availability.
Sports
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
The U.S. Tennis Association Long Island Region has recognized Michelle Carnovale of Massapequa for her tennis playing in 2012. Michelle was honored for her ranking in the Girls’ 14s on Long Island.
With more than 9,000 members, the Region promotes the growth and development of Long Island tennis and supports USTA programs including Jr. Team Tennis, National Junior Tennis and Learning, High School Tennis, College Tennis, USTA 10 and Under Tennis, USTA League Tennis, and community tennis.
The volunteer-based Board of Directors works with USTA members to create programs and activities for all the tennis players on Long Island, from small children to seniors. For more information, visit www.longisland.usta.com or email ustaonlongisland@gmail.com.
Thursday, 23 May 2013 00:00
Last Wednesday the Massapequa Observer A’s had a come-from-behind victory 5-2 over the Trial Lawyer Mets, powered by key hits from Ray Anzelone, Michael Grisanti, and Jason Kopp. Evan “Mariano” Barrow came in again with no outs and the bases loaded to pick up the save.
On Saturday, the Observer A’s beat the Kleer Fax Yankees 4-2. The A’s were down 1-0 into the 4th inning due to an RBI single by Ross Mitton of the Yankees. Anthony Patullo drove in two runs with an RBI triple to give the A’s a 2-1 lead. This was followed by Brendan Castonguay driving in two runs with a double to make the score 4-1. Patullo pitched three solid innings in the start with Castonguay pitching the final three innings for the win.
Calendar
Marine Corps Barbecue
Monday, May 27
Wantagh Preservation Society Meeting
Tuesday, May 28
America’s Boating Course
Tuesday, May 28
Columns
Moving Pictures
Written by Mike Barry, MFBarry@optonline.net
Private Power Isn’t Our Only Option
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
Building Better Legislators
Written by Michael A. Miller, Millercolumn@optimum.net
