Baseball - America's Favorite Pastime    The induction of Tony Gwynn of the San Diego Padres and Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY on July 29, 2007 marked a celebration of two of the finest players in baseball history. Cal Ripken, Jr. is known for breaking Lou Gehrig’s record for games played. Ripken set the standard for “showing up for work” with 2632 consecutive games, defining the 1995 baseball season as one to “go down in the record books.” Baseball fans were hungry for all aspects of the game after the 1994 season “strike,” so Ripken’s determination to play every game was even more fascinating and inspiring. Gwynn expressed his delight at being inducted into the Hall alongside such a great player as Cal Ripken. Gwynn himself is an 8 time batting champion and with a 20 year baseball career marked with numerous awards and honors.    The striking thing about both of these baseball stars is their devotion to community and the development of the game itself—starting with young players and continuing through the college/university level. Fans are fortunate to have such role models playing/coaching the game known as America’s “pastime.”    Browse through the following titles and select some to inspire future baseball players as well as those who can already bunt and slide.    For interesting historical information about baseball visit: http://www.baseball1.com/c-history.html. Contributer: Sheilah Egan Across the Alley Rich Michelson Illustrated by E. B. Lewis    Two young boys, next-door neighbors in a time when African Americans played baseball only in the Negro Leagues, don’t play together during the day. Prejudice still separates Jewish Abe from African American Willie. But during one summer the boys, who have become best friends at night, begin to play ball from their windows across the alley. They have also found that slavery of a sort is in both their family histories. Abe’s Grandpa thinks baseball is a waste of time for Jewish boys, and insists that he practice his violin. But Abe gives Willie a chance at his violin, and Willie becomes “a natural.” Abe is scheduled to play at a temple recital. But one night his grandfather discovers Willie playing, and takes him to play instead. Meanwhile, Willie’s grandfather gives Abe a chance to practice his pitching at a sand lot game, and the stereotypes are broken. Lewis’s watercolor jacket of the boys playing catch between their windows is a visual metaphor for their more complex exchanges of actions and emotions. The full-page sequences of naturalistic scenes tell the visual story effectively, describing the significant details only in order to focus on the personalities of the characters. The up-beat tale is a hopeful vision. 2006, G.P. Putnam’s Sons/Penguin Young Readers Group, $16.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). Best Books: Notable Books for Younger Readers, 2007; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: National Jewish Book Awards Finalist 2006 Illustrated Children's Book United States ISBN: 0-399-23970-7 ISBN: 978-0-399-23970-0 The Atlanta Braves Mark Stewart Content consultant James L. Gates    As with other teams of Major League Baseball, the Atlanta Braves have a colorful history. Beginning as the Boston Red Stockings in the 1870s, they moved, Milwaukee then Atlanta, changed their name to the Braves, and during the late 1990 and early 2000 seasons were a force to be reckoned with in professional baseball. Author Mark Stewart brings together the history and story of this amazing team. Using good writing and solid information, the author provides young sports fans with a quality look at the Atlanta Braves. Photographs and illustrations included throughout the text enhance the amazing facts provided. Unlike many books about teams, Mark Stewart makes an effort to shed light on the great players who contributed and still contribute to the success of the Braves. A part of the “Team Spirit” series, Mr. Stewart’s book illustrates the series’ purpose of illustrating, “...that deep passion shared by the players and fans when they wear the same colors, watch the same scoreboard and cheer the same triumphs.” Included are numerous sections of facts and player quotes, as well as sections for further exploration. This book provides fun and information to the young reader. 2006, Norwood House Press, $25.27. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59953-000-0 ISBN: 1-59953-000-7 Batter Up, Wombat Helen Lester Illustrated by Lynn Munsinger    Still smarting from last season’s disappointing last-place finish, the Champs--an unlikely baseball team comprised of an odd assortment of small North American critters--are hopeful this year will be better. Just before the first game, a stranger approaches. Compared to them, he’s huge! Best of all, they think he’s a “Wham bat,” and what could be better for baseball than that? Sure, the wombat has never played baseball before, but he’s eager to make friends so he suits up and gets ready to play ball. The trouble is, the whole game confuses him. Steal third?--What should he do with it? Get under a pop-up?--How ludicrous! Go home?--Don’t they know how far that would be? He doesn’t know how to hold a bat, much less swing it, and his skills in the outfield are nonexistent. In short order, the team is losing badly. But when the unexpected happens, this odd newcomer can still save the day! Helen Lester’s story is sure to delight children who understand the lingo of the game, while Lynn Munsinger’s fun illustrations add to the hilarity of the slapstick humor. 2006, Walter Lorraine/Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-618-73784-7 ISBN: 1428701605 ISBN: 978-0-618-73784-0 ISBN: 978-1428701601 The Boston Red Sox Mark Stewart With content consultant James L. Gates    With players such as Ted Williams, Manny Ramirez, Carlton Fisk, and Roger Clemens, most would believe they would be a power house team with several World Series championships under their belts. In 1907 the Boston Red Stockings came into being. They had been around Boston for a few years under a different name, but this name stuck. "Between 1912 and 1918 the Red Sox won four pennants and four World Series." On this incredible team the Red Sox had a pitcher named Babe Ruth. When Babe Ruth was sold to the Yankees, a legend was born. "The Curse," as it is commonly referred to, lasted from 1918 to 2004. It took the Boston Red Sox eighty-nine years to win the World Series again. Author Mark Stewart recreates the amazing history of this wayward team using electrifying text and great photographs. Readers will be thoroughly engaged learning about Ted Williams and his .400 season. As with other books in the, "Team Spirit" series, the author focuses on the team but includes general information about the sport being discussed. A good addition to any public or school library. 2007, Norwood House Press, $25.27. Ages 10 to 18. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59953-059-8 ISBN: 1-59953-059-7 Champions on the Bench: The Story of the Cannon Street YMCA All Stars Carole Boston Weatherford Illustrations by Leonard Jenkins    A boy named Cleveland tells the story of playing baseball in 1955 on the only Little League team in South Carolina for African Americans. The story is based on the actual events that occurred when the team entered the postseason tournament at the Little League Baseball World Series. All of the other teams of white players refused to play his team. Consequently, the Little League barred the white leagues from the tournament. The white leagues formed their own program and tournament. Cleveland’s team was invited by the Little League to be its guests at the World Series in Pennsylvania but could only watch the games because their team had won by forfeit rather than by playing. Cleveland describes how they practiced and played while they dreamed of making it to the World Series. Soon after their eventual disappointment, however, they were able to find a hero in Jackie Robinson when he played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and the Dodgers won their first World Series championship. The “Author’s Note” explains further details and provides the names of the team players and photographs of the Little League team in 1955 and 2002. Realistic illustrations in rich colors provide a good accompaniment to the text. Readers will empathize with the young boy’s experiences. 2007, Dial Books for Young Readers/The Penguin Group, $16.99. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children's Literature). Best Books: New Black History Books for Youth, 2007; Booklist; United States ISBN: 0-8037-2987-1 ISBN: 978-0-8037-2987-2 Casey Back at Bat Dan Gutman Paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher    Gutman has taken off from Ernest Lawrence Thayer’s classic “Casey at the Bat” to reach an amusing, equally engrossing companion rhyme with a surprising, contrasting conclusion. We’re back in Mudville for the final game of the season to determine the championship. Casey has another chance to win the game in the final inning, up at bat with two out and two on base. Suspense builds with two strikes on Casey. This time he hits the ball so hard it goes over the wall. We can then follow it around the world, back in time and into outer space, leaving its mark as it goes. Then we reach the shocking ending. Scenes combine solid page design with comic touches, as the ball breaks the nose on the Sphinx, or tilts the Leaning Tower of Pisa, even frightens some dinosaurs into extinction. The naturalistic characters are painted on washed-out newspaper, still legible enough to read bits of columns and old advertisements related to the action in the scene. The visuals add significantly to the light-hearted narration. 2007, HarperCollins Publishers, $16.99. Ages 4 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).    Baseball fans, here it is: a second chance for Casey, whose strikeout ended the season and left no joy in Mudville. Now it is the next year. It is the last game of the season and Mudville is playing Rutland for first place. This time when Casey comes up to bat he hits the ball so hard it soars out of the ballpark. Has Casey redeemed himself? A clue is given on the first page in the following: “Well, if you think that tale was sad, sit down, let’s have a chat.” Gutman’s fun-filled parody will have young readers on the edge of their seats rooting for Casey’s success. As the ball flies around the world, it picks up speed and thereby offers explanations for the leaning tower of Pisa and the extinction of the dinosaurs, among other things. The text, which begs to be read aloud, is accompanied by distinguished illustrations of a strong-jawed Casey, and newspaper collage uniforms for the ballplayers and astronauts (you will just have to read the book to see where they fit in). The ballgame is illustrated from many interesting angles. This is certain to stretch the imagination while eliciting lots of laughter. Children familiar with Casey at the Bat will appreciate it the most. Middle school and high school teachers can use the two together to discuss “parody” with their students. This is a fantasy that is perfect for opening day, the end of the season, and anytime in between. It is fun for everyone…except mighty Casey. 2007, HarperCollins, $16.99and $17.89. Ages 6 up. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature). Best Books: Kirkus Book Review Stars, January 1, 2007; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, January 2007; Cahners; United States ISBN: 0-06-056025-8 ISBN: 978-0-06-056025-6 ISBN: 0-06-056026-6 ISBN: 978-0-06-056026-3 The Chicago Cubs Mark Stewart With content consultant James L. Gates    Die-hard Cubs fans remember all the moments in their team’s history when they had the opportunity to go to the World Series of baseball or win a pennant. As if family, Cubs fans feel the emotion of the players personally when the Chicago Cubs win or lose. It is hard to explain to the average sports fan how people feel about the Cubs and why they hold such a special place in our baseball history. Author Mark Stewart, the master of the nonfiction book, allows younger readers into the storied history and notoriety of this famed ball club. He ties together the Cubs’ amazing history and facts with well-written flair. Photographs and illustrations enhance the information within the pages of this book. A part of the “Team Spirit” series, Mr. Stewart’s book illustrates the series’ purpose of illustrating, “...that deep passion shared by the players and fans when they wear the same colors, watch the same scoreboard and cheer the same triumphs.” Included are numerous sections of facts and player quotes, as well as sections for further exploration. What an amazing book for that young sports fan. 2006, Norwood House Press, $25.27. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59953-001-7 ISBN: 1-59953-001-5 The Chicago White Sox Mark Stewart Content consultant James L. Gates    Winning the first American League Pennant in 1901 is not what most baseball fans and even historians focus on. It is the disgrace put upon the team in 1919 by eight White Sox players who conspired with gamblers to throw the World Series. Movies and books abound to tell the story of this moment in baseball history. Author Mark Stewart does not gloss over this moment in White Sox memory, nor does he dwell on it. Winning the 2005 World Series is how the Sox will be remembered in recent history. As with other books in the “Team Spirit” series, the author writes not only about the players but about the stadiums and the sport itself. For many younger readers the many but varied sections will keep them interested in the story of this interesting team. Numerous photographs do an excellent job of enhancing the information provided within the text. This would be a good addition for any library nonfiction collection. 2006, Norwood House Press, $25.27. Ages 11 to 18. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-59953-060-4 ISBN: 1-59953-060-0 A Coach's Letter to His Son Mel Allen Illustrated by John Thompson    An ardent baseball fan, the author presents his own philosophy on the real essence of sports--“sports are too hard to play unless they are played with joy.” The father of the story expresses how he began to watch baseball played in a local field, and how his own father would serve as catcher while he pretended to be various professional pitchers. When Dan was born the writer began to share his own joy of playing baseball with his young son. The boy was truly talented and his father saw to it that he went to batting and pitching clinics and received “lots of advice” from his father, the coach. Soon the father and son were honing every aspect of the boy’s stance and swing. As the letter continues, the author demonstrates that the father becomes aware of all the pressures being heaped upon the young boy--“anything less than winning a state championship you will regard as failure. Twelve years old.” Viewing early videos of the boy playing ball reveals to the father the unadulterated joy of the boy’s first baseball experiences, and he compares this look of delight with the intense, taut face of the young man in the batting cage. The dad asks the boy if they can “start over” and “put away the instructional tapes and the clinics” and just go out “early in the day” and “find delight in putting all your strength and happiness into a swing.” The reader will hope that the boy answers this appeal with a resounding “yes” and at the end of the day they “can hunt for the balls, two sunburned boys searching for treasure.” The somewhat nostalgic (the pictures of the different eras definitely have a look of their own) illustrations set a perfect tone for the text and are sometimes set off as three-quarter spreads with a quote from the story line itself (The Creative Company always produces beautiful books). While in the picture book format this book is dense with lyrical language, and wonderful similes and metaphors: “a game which once seemed as light as blowing bubbles,” “the face of someone who is chewing food he does not enjoy, wanting to play so much it hurt,” and “I’d float baseballs to you underhanded, and you’d sail them over my head.” Even those not enamored with baseball will find this an insightful look at sharing a love of sports with a child. Youngsters will observe and better understand the underlying motivation for such parental actions--to help develop talents while sometimes forgetting the sheer “joy” of playing the game. 2006, Creative Editions/The Creative Company, $18.95. Ages 7 up. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-56846-134-2 ISBN: 1-56846-134-8 David Ortiz Jeff Savage    Talent and persistence played well for David Américo Ortiz Arias. He excelled at sports in his native Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, prior to becoming a prominent professional U.S. baseball player known as Papi to his fans. In his hometown, Ortiz, who dropped the surname Arias when he moved to the U.S., enjoyed playing sports. Aspiring to pursue a professional athletic career, Ortiz impressed Major League Baseball scouts. In 1992, when he was seventeen, Ortiz signed a contract to begin playing for the Seattle Mariners’ minor league team two years later. His achievements with the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers secured Ortiz a major league position with the Minnesota Twins in 1997. A broken wrist sidelined Ortiz briefly and spring training disappointments in 1999 resulted in him returning to the minors. By 2000, Ortiz played for the Twins again but suffered another fractured wrist. A free agent after the Twins lost a playoff game, Ortiz accepted the designated hitter position with the Boston Red Sox, enabling him to achieve his most notable plays. In 2004 Ortiz helped that team secure a victory over rival New York Yankees to win the American League Championship and beat the St. Louis Cardinals for the World Series title. The book includes sidebars, statistics, a glossary, and suggested resources that are useful for papers and projects. This biography concludes with baseball’s 2005 season information. Part of the “Amazing Athletes” series. 2006, First Avenue Editions/Lerner, $5.95. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Elizabeth D. Schafer (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8225-3429-0 ISBN: 978-0-8225-3429-7 Game 1 Phil Bildner and Loren Long Illustrated by Loren Long    Three siblings follow their mother, disguised as their father, across the country as barnstormers (a group who put on baseball exhibitions for pay). Guy Payne, their father, died in the Spanish-American war as he carried his youngest son’s baseball with him. He was the catcher for the team, and now his wife takes his place. At Guy Payne’s funeral, his brother, Uncle Owen, returns the baseball, now tattered and torn, to Graham, the youngest son. He shares a cryptic secret with Griffith, the oldest son, and charges him with keeping his family safe, and warns that an unknown danger is coming. The children make a pact to stay together during each of the Travelin’ Nine’s games, but during game one of the schedule, in Cincinnati, strange images appear on the field that only the children and their team can see. They end up losing the game, but both Ruby and Griffith study the phenomenon and try to piece the mystery together. In book two of the series, the mystery continues to unravel. Sidebars help the young reader to understand the rules and terms of baseball from the turn of the century. The illustrations, drawn in black charcoal, compliment the old-fashioned feel of the text. A unique and clever beginning of each chapter is exemplified by the first letter of the first sentence in each chapter being illustrated with baseball figures to form that letter. 2007, Simon & Schuster, $9.99. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Gail C. Krause (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-4169-1863-9 ISBN: 1-4169-1863-9 Hammerin' Hank: the Life of Hank Greenberg Yona Zeldis McDonough Illustrations by Malcah Zeldis    A succinctly written text highlights the on- and off-the-field feats of the first Jewish baseball player to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY. Hank Greenberg’s parents did not want him to be a professional baseball player but his love for the game was too overwhelming for him to ignore. He was not a natural athlete, so he practiced until he was good enough to play. And play he did! Despite the anti-Semitism he faced, Greenberg became a team leader for the Detroit Tigers. With important games on both Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur in 1934, he had to decide whether to play baseball and help his team or spend the day in synagogue. He served in World War II and returned to play for the Tigers. Facts about his personal life and life after his retirement from baseball are also mentioned. Quotes from Greenberg enliven the already engaging text. The accompanying folk art style illustrations mesh perfectly with the text. Look closely at the stadium fences and you will see many familiar sponsors from Coca Cola to Ford to Maxwell House coffee, and more. Front and back endpapers have hand-drawn baseball cards with the teams and names of other famous Jewish baseball players. Interested readers may want to find out more about these players as well. While the picture book format makes this accessible to younger children, this is a superb example of a book that can be used for discussions with teens. Topics, such as baseball and anti-Semitism, are obvious. Other topics include America in the 1930s, what it means to be a hero, the influence of sports on American social history, and a history of advertising in America, to name a few. Greenberg’s impressive baseball statistics, a chronology of his life, a glossary of some baseball and Jewish terms, and a bibliography are located at the back of the book. 2006, Walker and Company, $16.95 and $17.85. Ages 8 up. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature). Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States Notable Books for Younger Readers, 2007; Association of Jewish Librarians; United States School Library Journal Book Review Stars, April 2006; Cahners; United States ISBN: 978-0-8027-8997-6 ISBN: 0-8027-8997-8 ISBN: 978-0-8027-8998-3 ISBN: 0-8027-8998-6 Hank Aaron Serena Kappes    This well written biography captures the reader’s attention on the very first page, leading off with the home run Aaron hit in 1974 to break Babe Ruth’s record. The book traces Aaron’s childhood and 20-plus-year baseball career, starting in the Negro Leagues and culminating in his designation as the “Home Run King.” Kappes focuses on Aaron’s hard work and dedication to the game, with enough play-by-play detail to satisfy the most ardent young baseball fan. A few more photographs would be appreciated by most readers, and the photographs that are used would probably be more effective if they had been spread throughout the text, rather than grouped together in the middle of the book. Nonetheless, this is a highly readable, well organized book. Extensive back matter includes Aaron’s career statistics, endnotes, a bibliography, and an index. This book is part of the “Sports Heroes and Legends” series. 2006, Lerner Publications Company, $26.60. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Barbara Carroll Roberts (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8225-3069-4 ISBN: 978-0-8225-3069-5 Hey Batta Batta Swing!: The Wild Old Days of Baseball Sally Cook and James Charlton Illustrated by Ross MacDonald    Written in a lively conversational style, this book about baseball is bursting with fun facts. Earlier times are described that include how the team colors and uniforms were chosen and how players were given numbers. More interesting facts are given about how players and teams got their nicknames. A “Tricks of the Trade” section tells about different kinds of cheating that were allowed, and some kinds of cheating that were attempted but eventually not allowed throughout the years. There are lots of facts about “doctoring balls and bats” that have occurred in past and present time. Listed throughout the text are baseball terms, such as “give him the hook” and “banjo hitter,” with definitions. Incidents involving some of baseball’s famous players are described. The illustrations are amusing, colorful, and coincide perfectly with the rambunctious descriptions of baseball shenanigans that are included in this appealing nonfiction book. 2007, Margaret K. McElderry Books/Simon and Schuster, $17.99. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children's Literature). Best Books: Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, January 8, 2007; Cahners; United States ISBN: 978-1-4169-1207-1 ISBN: 1-4169-1207-X The Longest Season: The Story of the Orioles' 1988 Losing Streak Cal Ripken, Jr. Illustrated by Ron Mazellan    Ripken tells his own story of the year 1988, which started out with such promise, with his brother Bill starting on the team with him and with his father as manager, but then, in direct, unvarnished prose, he details the cumulative, depressing series of lost games. Tensions and pressures rise, as the losses of the Orioles accumulate, game after frustrating game. The mounting won-lost total tops the double page. As the losses reach 21 straight, Ripken fights anger and depression. When the losing streak finally breaks in game 22, he “cannot remember a better feeling win.” In his “Looking back…” section, Ripken draws a lesson from the losing season to help encourage young players to keep trying. Mazellan uses mixed media for his full and double-page scenes of the activities in the ballpark. He shows some of the team in action on the field, but also depicts individual players as they prepare to play, or as they react to the defeats. He uses more somber colors to enhance the disappointments and brighter blues with accents of red when the string is broken. The naturalistic illustrations offer different points of view, including several powerful close-ups to carry the visual narrative. 2007, Philomel Books/Penguin Young Readers Group, $16.99. Ages 4 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-399-24492-6 ISBN: 0-399-24492-1 Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer Bill Wise Illustrated by Bill Farnsworth    A biography of Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis, this nonfiction story begins in 1897 in New York when the major league Cleveland Spiders were playing the Giants. It then goes back in time to describe his boyhood on the Penobscot Indian reservation in Maine. He loved baseball and continued to play despite the fact that his father was against it and that he was often ridiculed by spectators. He was eventually asked to play for the Cleveland Spiders. The text then returns to a vivid description of that game against the Giants in 1897. He established himself as a hero when he hit a ball into the stands that was further than anyone had hit a ball in that ballpark. The story ends at this high point of his life. The “Afterword” details the rest of his life, along with his playing statistics and the honors that he achieved. Oil paintings of his life in Maine and on the playing field are done in warm colors and beautifully represent the context of the story. 2007, Lee and Low Books, $16.95. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-1-58430-269-8 ISBN: 1-58430-269-0 Michael's Golden Rules Deloris and Roslyn Jordan Illustrated by Kadir Nelson    Basketball great Michael Jordan writes in the introduction to this picture book “I’ve learned it takes heart to come out a winner every time, whether you win or lose.” In the introduction, we learn that Michael’s family enjoyed baseball and saw those times together, playing and watching, as special. Unfortunately, this picture book written by Michael Jordan’s mother and sister doesn’t give readers the heart and honesty reflected in his introduction. The story revolves around Michael’s friend, Jonathan, who is not a very good baseball player, and their little league team is only one game away from the play-offs. Jonathan feels discouraged and upset that the team loses and Michael’s Uncle Jack--the creator of the “golden rules” while playing college baseball--tells him that winning isn’t everything. Uncle Jack’s book of ten golden rules includes “know the game,” “pay attention the coach at all times,” “know your opponent,” “be a team player,” “practice a winning attitude,” and finally “have fun.” He shares these rules with both boys, and the next day at the big game, Jonathan reviews the rules, and one-by-one exemplifies them during the game. The two-page spread illustrations are exceptional and filled with movement and tension at many points. Even though their team loses, Jonathan turns to Michael in the end to say that he still had fun because they all played together and gave their all. Perhaps if it had been entitled Uncle Jack’s Golden Rules or Jonathan’s Big Day the picture book would have been more satisfying since the reader learns very little of Michael Jordan’s feelings or dreams regarding baseball or playing the game. 2007, Simon & Schuster, $16.99. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Debra Lampert-Rudman (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-689-87016-3 ISBN: 0-689-87016-7 One-handed Catch MJ Auch    Norm has lost his hand in a meat grinder accident. Now he’s faced with the overwhelming task of putting his life back together as he struggles to relearn all those things that used to be so easy. Is it possible to tie shoelaces with one hand? He’d better learn unless, as Norm’s tough-love mother says, he wants her tagging along to tie his laces when they come undone. Think of it as a puzzle! Figure it out! As far as she’s concerned, Norm’s not going to get any special treatment. There are so many things to figure out: how to pitch, bat, and catch so he can play his beloved baseball; how to play an instrument in the school band; how to tie knots for the Boy Scout Jamboree. Norm’s story is sad, funny, and inspiring but never overly sentimental as he stubbornly refuses to let anything stop him. A home run of a story inspired by the life of the author’s husband who lost his left hand and went on to excel at sports and to become a graphic artist and illustrator. 2006, Henry Holt & Company, $16.95. Ages 9 to 14. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8050-7900-9 ISBN: 978-0-8050-7900-5 Pecorino Plays Ball Alan Madison Illustrated by AnnaLaura Cantone    One fine spring Saturday Pecorino’s mother wakes him up and tells him today is the first day of Little League. Off they go to the field where the coach gives Pecorino his baseball shirt, an “Xtra-Xtra-large” that goes down to his sneakers. Unlike the other shirts that say “Malone’s We Sell Boxes,” Pecorino’s shirt appears to say “Alone,” which is just how he feels in the outfield. Interestingly he makes friends with the member of the opposing team who also plays right field and whose shirt appears to say “hit me.” Madison captures the insecure feelings of children just learning the game and presents the story in vivid language with lots of humor. Lovely lines, such as “trees were singing and the birds were budding,” will keep listeners on their toes. Alliterations such as “tipped, tapped, or touched the ball with their bats” and “caught, corralled, or clipped the ball with their mitts” make this a delight to read aloud. The illustrations combine collage with pen, pencil, and acrylic drawings. The offbeat style (the people are shaped like bowling pins) suits the quirky tale. Only seven players are shown on the baseball field instead of nine but one is a girl. In the end Pecorino makes the catch that wins the game, and he makes a new friend. This book is just right to calm the nerves of new T-ball and Little League players. 2006, Anne Schwartz/Atheneum, $15.95. Ages 5 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-689-86522-8 ISBN: 978-0-689-86522-0 Pedro Martinez Tom Lashnits    Pedro’s arrival in Boston in 1997 was his debut with the Boston Red Sox as a pitcher. I spent many a day at Fenway Park when I first got out of college. To this day I consider myself a Boston Red Sox fan, even though I now live in Miami. So, it is with a great deal of joy that I review the book about Pedro’s life. Felipe, Matty, and Jesus Alou were among the first baseball players from the Dominican Republic to make it to the major leagues. These three brothers paved the way for other Dominican players, including Pedro. In fact, at one point, Felipe, the eldest Alou brother, was Pedro’s manager. For many of the Dominican kids, the best way to get to America, where they could build a better life for themselves, was through baseball. As young boys, Pedro and his older brother Ramon, a baseball star in his own right, did not have the right equipment to practice the sport. So they threw and hit anything that was round. Much to the chagrin of their sisters, many of their dolls lost their heads. Over the years Pedro through his outstanding pitching has won the Cy Young award three times, and in 2004 he helped the Boston Red Sox win the World Series for the first time in eighty-six years, and you can be sure that I was watching those games. Kudos to Pedro Marinez, one of the top pitchers of his generation. 2006, Chelsea House Publishers, $30.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Leila Toledo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7910-8840-5 ISBN: 978-0-7910-8840-1 Perfect, Once Removed Phillip Hoose    As a nine-year-old boy, Phillip and his family move to Speedway, Indiana. He’s not particularly good at anything, and finds fitting into this new school a challenge. Little by little, though, he makes friends, and one day in March, a baseball game is started, a game he had never played. His grandpa had encouraged him to watch baseball on television, but it wasn’t very pleasant. Now Phillip wishes that he had paid more attention to the game. The other kids try to show him how to hold a bat and learn the plays, but with little success. He decides to read everything about baseball, but he still needs to learn how to play the game itself. His mother suggests he talk to his Dad’s cousin, Don Larsen. This is how the wonderful story of a boy and his very famous relative, a member of the New York Yankees and a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame (who pitched a no-hitter in the 1956 World Series), begins. Anyone who is a fan of baseball will find this memoir thrilling. Through his personal experiences, Hoose has re-created dialogue that puts the reader in each of the games. Actual pictures of baseball fields and events add to the enjoyment, and the descriptions of the New York Yankees players and the culture of professional baseball helps to create an intense interest in the players, as Hoose becomes a part of their lives in his imagination. Hoose relates how his relationship with Larsen grew, and how he continues to learn and play baseball to this day, all the while remembering his magical year as a young boy, who was happy to find that baseball was his ticket to being accepted. 2006, Walker Publishing Company, $19.95. Ages 8 to adult. Reviewer: Karen Werner (Children's Literature). Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; Outstanding Merit; United States ISBN: 0-8027-1537-0 ISBN: 978-0-8027-1537-1 Roasted Peanuts Tim Egan    Sam is a horse and Jackson is a cat and they are best friends. They enjoy going to the baseball games at Grant’s Field and snacking on bags of roasted peanuts. They also enjoy playing baseball and have dreams of playing professionally. Sam is a talented athlete who is immediately accepted by the local team, the Grazers. Jackson can pitch, but he just is not good enough and does not make the team. While Jackson sits on the front steps of his apartment feeling like a loser, Sam finds that playing baseball without his friend just is not much fun. In fact, he does not play as well without Jackson around. He tries to talk the cat into taking a job at Grant’s Field selling peanuts but Jackson is too depressed to agree--until he hears folks talking about Sam. Sam is playing so badly fans are booing him at the games. Jackson’s talent for pitching comes in handy when he takes on the job of selling peanuts, thus encouraging his friend, and enthralling the crowd by throwing the peanuts across the stands to the customers. The youngest sports fans will enjoy this story of baseball and friendship. 2006, Houghton Mifflin, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature). Best Books: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007; Bank Street College of Education; United States Book Sense Children's Picks, Summer 2006; American Booksellers Association; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Parents' Choice Award Silver 2006 Picture Book United States ISBN: 0-618-33718-0 ISBN: 978-0-618-33718-7 Satchel Paige: Don't Look Back David A. Adler Illustrated by Terry Widener    This book could be described as a picture book biography. Younger readers may be drawn to the vibrant acrylic illustrations, while older readers will easily follow the text--more text than the average picture book. This is the story of an athlete, a sport, and racism. Satchel Paige is known as one of the best pitchers ever, and his dream was to play in the major leagues. “But no team would take him because he was black.” Rather than allow the racism of the time to dampen his dream, Satchel Paige continued to excel. His response to racist treatment was to answer with his performance on the field. When players on an all-white semi-professional team made racist comments, Paige had his teammates sit down on the field, and then he threw three straight strikeouts. This story will inspire readers that it is never too late to realize a dream. At the age of forty-two, Satchel Paige made it to the majors, where he played until he was fifty-nine years old! This is a great story for a baseball fan as well as readers who may not know the first thing about the sport. 2007, Harcourt Books, $16.00. Ages 6 to 11. Reviewer: Mary Loftus (Children's Literature). Best Books: Choices, 2007; Cooperative Children’s Book Center; United States ISBN: 0-15-205585-1 ISBN: 978-0-15-205585-1 Stealing Home Robert Burleigh Illustrated by Mike Wimmer    The text of this story of Jackie Robinson’s unbelievable 1955 World Series stealing of home plate is very simply told in a line or two of suspense-building prose on each double page. It begins with him already on third base, while an excited crowd calls his name. The ball is thrown, the batter backs, and Robinson slides in under the catcher’s mitt “…and baseball (and America, too) will never again be quite the same.” In addition, however, on each double-page spread, is a box of small type offering a wealth of additional factual information about baseball, the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Robinson himself, including his life up to this game and then after it. Wimmer chooses the peak dramatic moments for his oil painting illustrations. Although the backgrounds are impressionistic suggestions of sky or crowds, the people are naturalistically created. Some crowd close-ups even present finely rendered portraits. The contrast between a small group early on with anxious expressions with the same group after the stolen base helps reinforce the emotions generated by the action sequence. There are source notes and a bibliography. 2007, A Paula Wiseman Book/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 6 to 9. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature)    In this picture book, Robert Burleigh has essentially created two books in one: brief but tantalizing text appears on each page that tells the exciting story in present tense of one instance of Jackie Robinson stealing home, while a separate text box offers interesting details, told in past tense, about Robinson's life, career, and racial struggle to play professional baseball when few blacks did. Younger readers learn of Robinson's "odd, pigeon-toed dance," the "dirt-scumbled and chalk-lined path leading to home plate," and the "visible electricity" in the crowd watching the game. Older readers find out that Robinson was not only a talented baseball player, but he also broke his brother Mack's broad jump record at UCLA and excelled in football, basketball, and even tennis and ping-pong. Included are also lesser known facts about his fight for civil rights: as a youngster in Pasadena, California, he and some of his white friends held a "sit-in" at a lunch counter until they were all served, and as a soldier he protested the U.S. Army's unfair treatment of blacks. The most wonderful feature of this picture book is that it is so compelling and visually alive with motion that even non-sports fans will find plenty to enjoy between its covers. Readers old and young will absorb not only the thrill of the game from the action-packed oil-on-canvas illustrations, but they will also learn important facts about American history and some biographical details about a fascinating and truly extraordinary human being. An excellent companion to the recently published Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America by Sharon Robinson, Jackie's daughter, and Dad, Jackie and Me by Myron Uhlberg and Colin Bootman, this book contributes one more perspective toward a panoramic view of the legend Jackie Robinson. 2007, Paula Wiseman/Simon & Schuster, $16.99. Ages 3 to 12. Reviewer: Michelle H. Martin, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 978-0-689-86276-2 ISBN: 0-689-86276-8 To view last year's baseball feature, click here. To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 7/30/2007