The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the
1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on the bench! The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way could stop them.
Full of action, drama, and excitement, this never-before-told true story is vividly brought to life by Audrey Vernick’s expert storytelling and Steven Salerno’s stunning vintage-style art.
"A captivating story, impeccable layout, and glorious illustrations make this historical account an unqualified winner." —New York Times Book Review
"With a sense of humor, Audrey Vernick tells the true-life story of the 12 Acerra boys of Long Branch, NJ, who formed a team coached by their dad."—USA Today
"A remarkable story."—Wall Street Journal
"A lively story about family loyalty and love of the game, pulled from the sidelines of baseball history."—Publishers Weekly, *starred review*
"A delight not to miss."—School Library Journal, *starred review*
"[A] story of brotherly—and baseball—love." --Booklist, *starred review*
"Vernick's wry and rousing narration is perfectly matched by Salerno's mixed-media pictures."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, *starred review*
"Employing descriptive, conversational language in a matter-of-fact tone that doesn’t sentimentalize, Vernick tells of a remarkable family . . . Salerno’s lively drawings, rendered in black crayon, gouache, watercolor and pastel with digital color added, complement the action, striking a balance between detail and expansiveness.A family's love and devotion to each other and to the game of baseball, depicted lovingly."—Kirkus Reviews
"This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is brought to vivid life through illustrations." —Horn Book Magazine "For those who love baseball, history and family stories, this book hits a home run."—Shelf Awareness *starred review* "Striking black crayon, gouache and watercolor paintings enhanced with digital color provide a solid backup to the tightly written narrative. A very pleasing slice of American history."—Cleveland Plain Dealer
A NewYork Times Notable Book for 2012
A 2012 Booklist Editor's Choice
Anonymous
Posted May 10, 2012
This book is about a family baseball team. There were 16 children in the Acerra family and the 12 boys all loved baseball (imagine if 1 didn't!). This book combines the story of their games with the story of a family that was very close and supportive. The father coached the boys and attended all their games. And the Baseball Hall of Fame honored them for being the longest playing all brother team. (In an author note I learned that there had been many others.)
You have to read this one. No one could make up a story like this but that's probably just as well. It's the truth that makes this one so special.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Posted January 14, 2013
I am delighted to see more and more picture book biographies being published. This makes it so much easier to share biographies with younger children. At the same time, picture book biographies have to be carefully done in order to provide enough information without going overboard. I mean how do you provide just enough information to help the reader get an idea of what the person was like, without getting bogged down in details? I firmly believe that it is an art form. Picture books are an art in and of themselves, but picture book biographies require an even more careful hand because the characters are real. Audrey Vernick does a fantastic job of this in Brothers at Bat.
Vernick provides enough information to give the reader a taste of what the people are like, without losing her focus on a baseball team made up of only brothers. Sixteen children, twelve of whom were boys, I can only admire their parents. I appreciated the small touches that made the family seem so real, things like the slam, slam, slam of the door as the boys raced out to play. The sharing of beds, the individual portraits that show the familial similarity but also individual differences, all added to the story.
The illustrations are gorgeous and appealing. I'm always amazed when illustrators can create faces from a few lines and shapes. Salerno does a great job of this.
If you are looking for more great picture book biographies, I highly recommend this one.
Overview
The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the
1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on the bench! The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way could stop them.
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