About the Author

Brad Garrett is a fifth grade history and writing teacher who has a passion for sports. He always dreamed of writing a book when he was younger, but never knew exactly what to write. It wasn't until he actually dreamed an idea that he started writing. He played baseball, basketball, football, and ran track growing up and dreamed of being a professional baseball player and thought history was boring. Mr. Garrett then majored in elementary education with a concentration in physical education at Eastern Illinois University. He has coached many sports at all levels. It wasn't until he started student teaching that he found his love for Presidents, and U.S. History. His classes learn to memorize the presidents, have an end of the year President's fair, and learn about early history of the United States up to the Civil War. His favorite topics include Colonial America, The Declaration of Independence that leads to the Revolutionary War, the Constitution and the Civil War time periods. Mr. Garrett also loves to teach life lessons and has incorporated small amounts of religion to show children to make the good choices between what is right and what is wrong, letting them make the decision, but being guided in the right direction. He grew up in a small town, Fairfield, Illinois and lives in a small town, Monticello, Illinois; hence the fictional town of Monfield, that Blaine moves to. Brad is married to Robyn Schneider Garrett, and has three children Brady, Megan and Ally. A lot of connections in his writing are related to his life, family and friends including dates and names. His passion for teaching about history is used symbolically in his writing and combines with sports and the everyday dealing with life. 'Layups with Lincoln' and 'Fastballs with Franklin' were written to give children with a love of sports a chance to read about their passions in daily life. It is his hope to continue the series with his main characters, different sports, and more historical characters.