Illustrator: S. D. Schindler
Peach’s Picks Rating:
Year of publication: 2011
City of publication: New York
Publisher: G. P. Putnam’s Sons
ISBN: 978-0-399-25501-4
Author website: http://philbildner.com/
Illustrator website: No website available
Media used for illustrations: Ink, watercolor, and gouache
Annotation: The 1941 historic baseball season is chronicled in this picturebook relating the on field successes of baseball players Joe DiMaggio and Ted William.
Personal reaction to the book: This picturebook tells the story of one unforgettable season in baseball, a season that has not yet been equaled. It chronicles the summer of 1941 when Joe DiMaggio played for the New York Yankees and Ted Williams played for the Boston Red Sox. DiMaggio made history that season with a record-breaking hitting streak, when he hit in 56 consecutive games. Ted Williams created baseball history when he ended the season with a .406 batting record. The narrative tells of their successes, describes the men and times, and the nation’s interest in baseball. The author has written two stories that meet in the middle of the book when both men play on the same All-Star team. Then the men return to their respective teams and continue to rack up records and create baseball history. Though the book contains a lot of interesting information, there is no tension or conflict to drive the story. Especially when contrasted with a book like A Nation’s Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt de la Peña. However, the information in this book will be interesting to many readers and especially appealing to baseball fans young and old. Baseball lingo is found throughout the book lending authenticity to the narrative; for example: the numbers “60. 2,130. 714” (page 1), “stroked a base hit” (page 3), and “twin bill”, “nightcap”, “hitting show” (page 10). The end note explains the significance of “60. 2,130. 714” (page 1) which was especially helpful as I did not understand the reference. A bibliography is included. The illustrations complement the story, but I cannot help thinking how much more powerful the book would be if it were illustrated with the stunning paintings of Kadir Nelson.
General curricular connections:
- Baseball
- Joe DiMaggio
- Ted Williams
- Use this book in conjunction with the novel Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park
Recommended grade levels:
School Library Journal recommends this book for use with grades 3-6
Booklist recommends this book for use with grades 2-4
Peach’s Picks recommends this book for use with grades 4-6
Awards/Recognitions:
Kirkus Review starred review
Publishers Weekly starred review
School Library Journal starred review
Note: This book applies to the assignment criteria - books published in 2010-2011
Alliteration: Page 1; “When they root for the Reds, Royals, Rockies or Rays…”
Metaphor: Page 2; “Joe DiMaggio played the game with grace of a clipper ship, so they called him the Yankee Clipper.”
Metaphor: Page 10; “I’ll let my timber do the talking.” Ted Williams makes this declaration showing that his batting expertise will make a statement rather than talking about what might happen in an upcoming game.
Metaphor: Page 10; “I’ll let my timber do the talking.” Ted Williams makes this declaration showing that his batting expertise will make a statement rather than talking about what might happen in an upcoming game.
Personification: Page 3; “…screamed the headline in The New York Journal-American.”
Symbolism: Found throughout the book; the names “TED” and “JOE” are printed in bold uppercase letters. “TED” is printed in red symbolizing the team color for the Red Sox. “JOE” is printed in blue symbolizing the team color for the Yankees. Together, red and blue emphasize that baseball is an all-American sport, just like the red, white, and blue of the United States flag.
Repetition: Pages 6 and 18; The use of rectangular illustrations with game numbers in the top right corner symbolizing that time is passing and DiMaggio continues to make consecutive hits.
Simile: Page 6; “…because he smacked the ball so hard, it was like an electric jolt…”
Book cover picture retrieved from http://philbildner.com/
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