Mama Played Baseball

Mama Played Baseball

Product Description Amys dad is away, fighting in World War II, and her mama must take a job. But its no ordinary job--Amys mother becomes a baseball player in the first professional womens league! Amy cheers louder than anyone at all of the home games. And while Mamas team travels, Amy works on a secret project--a surprise for her dad when he is finally back home. With warmhearted, historically based text and lush illustrations, award-winning author David A. Adler and talented new artist Chris OLeary bring to life the soaring spirit of the 1940s. Featured in the major motion picture A League of Their Own, the All-American Girls Professional League helped women prove that no war could stop the great game of baseball. An authors note provides historical context for the era. From School Library Journal Kindergarten-Grade 3-While Amys father is fighting in World War II, her mother gets an unusual job to make ends meet: she becomes a professional baseball player. Though at first the girl wonders, What kind of job is that? she enthusiastically roots for Mama during games and helps her practice when she can. Amy narrates the story in direct and simple sentences, focusing on the events that affect her and her family. Adler provides basic historical background in an authors note, but appropriately sticks to the childs perspective in this heartfelt narrative. Full-page oil paintings evoke the time and place. Figures and faces stand out nicely against the comfortable olive and brown tones in the background. Broad neighborhood and crowd scenes alternate with closer views of individuals. After a successful season, Mama dresses for a game but takes her daughter to the bus station instead of the stadium where they meet Dad, his uniform as impressive as Mamas. Amys surprise for her father turns out to be her own drawings of Mama playing baseball. The revelation is not especially dramatic, but it fits just right with the warm mood of the story. The final painting focuses on the three family members enjoying the peace of home. Steven Engelfried, Beaverton City Library, OR Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc. About the Author DAVID ADLER has written more than a hundred books, including Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man and Mama Played Baseball. He lives on Long Island, New York.