Down Clark Street

Down Clark Street by Michael Panno, published by Primordial Press in August 2013, is a novel that explores the life of eleven-year-old Michael Carmello in Hardscrabble, Illinois, during the winter of 1958. Living with his parents and five siblings in a modest home, Michael aspires to join Little League and dreams of becoming a Major League baseball player. His ambitions are challenged by the realities of his environment until he encounters Cornelius (Neely) Brown, a former pitcher from the Negro League and a terminal patient at the local hospital.

This narrative follows Michael’s journey as he navigates the complexities of childhood and adolescence, learning valuable lessons about baseball and life along the way. The story delves into themes of aspiration and the support that can emerge from unexpected relationships. With a page count of 238, this edition presents a poignant coming-of-age tale that captures the essence of growing up in a small town during a transformative era.