Publisher Clarion Books: Audrey Vernick and Steven Salerno have again collaborated to bring us a captivating picture book about a compelling but little-known piece of baseball history. Beginning in 1922, when Edith Houghton was only ten years old, she tried out for a women’s professional baseball team, the Philadelphia Bobbies. Though she was the smallest on the field, soon reporters were talking about “The Kid” and her incredible skill, and crowds were packing the stands to see her play. Her story reminds us that baseball has never been about just men and boys. Baseball is also about talented girls willing to work hard to play any way they can.
Nugget: Edith Houghton grew up watching her brothers and neighbors playing ball in the park, but girls didn't play. Well, most girls didn't play. Edith was a whole different story.
Need Enticement: Edith Houghton said that she was born with a baseball in her hand.
* It is so interesting to see the different approaches that authors take. I found the opening wordy but it is solid. I was hooked. The last sentence on the first page, "She was magic on the field."
Escalation: From making the all female team the Bobbies, to traveling to Japan to play, Edith grows up playing baseball.
Satisfying Ending: She was a fabulous player, she played as though she had been born with a baseball in her hand.
Sources: As always Audrey does a stellar job researching, her love for baseball shines through. She gives a strong Author's note with baseball history for women as well as more information about Edith and real life photos.
Show Words: Bobbies, buzzy glow of portable lights, exhibition games, dance the Charleston.
Why: Baseball, America's past time. A great book about a time when women were suppressed.
Need & Want: Edith wants to play ball. But, the stakes were high, people were looking at Edith. She was younger than the other girls, her dad constantly bragged about her, more eyes were focused on Edith which made her wins famous and her losses BIG NEWS.
Nugget: Edith Houghton grew up watching her brothers and neighbors playing ball in the park, but girls didn't play. Well, most girls didn't play. Edith was a whole different story.
Need Enticement: Edith Houghton said that she was born with a baseball in her hand.
* It is so interesting to see the different approaches that authors take. I found the opening wordy but it is solid. I was hooked. The last sentence on the first page, "She was magic on the field."
Escalation: From making the all female team the Bobbies, to traveling to Japan to play, Edith grows up playing baseball.
Satisfying Ending: She was a fabulous player, she played as though she had been born with a baseball in her hand.
Sources: As always Audrey does a stellar job researching, her love for baseball shines through. She gives a strong Author's note with baseball history for women as well as more information about Edith and real life photos.
Show Words: Bobbies, buzzy glow of portable lights, exhibition games, dance the Charleston.
Why: Baseball, America's past time. A great book about a time when women were suppressed.
Need & Want: Edith wants to play ball. But, the stakes were high, people were looking at Edith. She was younger than the other girls, her dad constantly bragged about her, more eyes were focused on Edith which made her wins famous and her losses BIG NEWS.
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