- Shopping Bag ( 0 items )
-
Anonymous
Posted April 15, 2003
The Bat Boy & His Violin
The smell of hot dogs... the faint sound of a violin from the dugout... the sound of a cracked ball soaring over the stadium gate and the Dukes on the road to victory!!! The Bat Boy & His Violin is an uplifting story of a familiar time known to even those not born into the era. Reginald, a young violinist, feels pushed away from his father because of his love for violins, or, fiddles. As he plays his favorite tunes, the mood is felt thrughout the house, but is rejcted by his father, the manager of the Dukes-- one of the worst teams in the Negro Baseball League. His father tries to get Reginald out the house by asking him to bat- boy for the team with the compromise that he can 'fiddle' on the sideline. Feeling rejected once more while at a game, plays a string from his heart and the notes grab the players' attention. From then on, the team progressed and got to a large winning streak with each heartfelt note coarsing through their hearts and bats. The team , especially Reginalds father, learned that the best feelings aren't just felt, they're heard. The illustrations Earl B. Lewis creates for the reader create a fantasia and power that strengthen the child's imagination and emotion in an imaginary character. Children always have some hidden talent and are sometimes ignored, but this maybe a chance for a lucky reader to finally realize that what they have to offer is precious and should be brought out and utilized.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted April 14, 2003
Music Inspires a Winning Spirit
The Bat Boy and his Violin is a stirring story of one little boy's determination to succeed, his relationship with his father,and baseball with a gentle undercurrent of racism characteristic to the period. This unique blend of elements teach children about perserverence and the early hardships of black athletes. Vibrant illustrations draw you into the story of Reginald and the Negro League baseball team the Dukes.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted April 12, 2001
An inspirational story about fathers/sons
This is a very good book about fathers and sons who have different interests in life and do see 'eye to eye'. The little boy in this story wants his father to recognize his talent for playing the violin. The fathers' focus is on baseball and winning. Slowly the father comes to appreciate his sons talents, praising him, and expressing his love at the end of the story. This is a theme that is true in life no matter what culture you are from. This concept about father/son relationships may not appear to you the first time you read the story. Enjoy....
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged. -
Anonymous
Posted January 27, 2000
HIGH HOPES
Loved the illustrations and the idea behind this book. Disappointed, however, in the way the book distracts its reader with the difficulties the father's baseball team is having. To further distract the reader, the issues of the Negro League players is brought into the story. Also distracting...the father of the main character doesn't speak standard English. In MY version of the story, during story time...he is definitely speaking standard English. I wish more emphasis would have been placed on what the boy thought about in terms of his talent as a violinist. Overall, I had high hopes for this book, but was somewhat disappointed. It is still, however, read in our house because we are so very THIRSTY to read about the love of a young boy of color for classical music and his violin! (All of which happen to be very important in our home.)
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.