Macmillan Book of Baseball Stories($34.95Value)

Description

A collection of true baseball stories featuring players from different eras, teams, and leagues and focusing on human interest and character Grade 4-8-- With a minor flaw or two, this collection of stories, more about people who have been influenced by the sport than the game itself, is refreshingly different from the great games and star players often written about for this reading level. The successes and trials of major stars, average players, and even baseball fans are detailed in the 19 chapters, which vary from 2-to-5 pages in length. The subjects range from Bruce Nelson, an average baseball fan who draws courage from former Los Angeles Dodger pitcher Sandy Koufax's religious conviction; to New York governor Mario Cuomo, who chose college and eventually politics over a possible baseball career; to current Oakland Athletics pitcher Dave Stewart, whose diligent efforts on helping earthquake victims during the 1989 World Series are chronicled. The most appealing aspect of this title is that major baseball stars are not put on pedestals. The liberal use of fictionalized quotes and the lack of any documentation on how the material was obtained are drawbacks, but shouldn't keep libraries from making room for this title in their collections. --Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.