Swinging for the Fences: Hank Aaron and Me

by Mike Leonetti, David Kim (Illustrator)

Overview

As Hank Aaron closes in on a historic home-run record, a Little Leaguer watches from the stands—and hopes to become a baseball hero himself . . .
 
Mark, a young boy who plays Little League and idolizes Hank Aaron, is playing close attention as the slugger gets closer and closer to break Babe Ruth’s home run record. Then Mark gets a chance to meet his hero—and learns that there’s more to being a great baseball player than hitting the ball out of the park.
 
This story by an experienced author of sports fiction for children features outstanding illustrations, some exciting baseball history and biography—and a winning message for young athletes.
 
“The paintings showing Aaron standing heroically in huge stadiums are very effective.” —Booklist

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781452126708
Publisher:	Chronicle Books
Publication date:	03/22/2023
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	40
File size:	15 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	1 - 12 Years

About the Author

Mike Leonetti is the author of numerous books for children, including a very successful series about hockey stars. Mike lives in Woodbridge, Ontario, with his wife, Maria, and their son, David.
David Kim was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil. This is his first children's book. He lives in Los Angeles.

Editorial Reviews

Gr 1-3- A Little Leaguer dreams of being a successful home-run hitter like Hank Aaron as he avidly follows Aaron's pursuit of Babe Ruth's record. Though his coach encourages him to just get on base, young Mark swings wildly and repeatedly lets his team down. After meeting Aaron at the ballpark following a game, Mark follows his hero's advice and learns to be a better team player. This well-intentioned picture-book tribute to Hank Aaron sports attractive acrylic spreads depicting games and indoor scenes and includes a credible amount of biographical detail. Overall, though, it is burdened by a didactic and all-too-familiar story line. Baseball fans will welcome any addition to the small number of books focused on Aaron, one of baseball's true heroes, but young readers seeking a full appreciation of his life and achievements would be better served by Peter Golenbock's Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way (Harcourt, 2001).-Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA

School Library Journal

Mark always swings for the seats even when a single will help his team. His favorite player is Hank Aaron, who is closing in on Babe Ruth's record of 714 career home runs. He's even lucky enough to witness Aarons's 700th home run and to meet him afterward. Hank kindly imparts some hitting advice, and later sends Mark a book about hitting. At the beginning of the next season, Aaron sets the new record and Mark is there to see it, too. Predictably, even as his hero makes history, his own hitting skills improve, and he becomes a better player. Leonetti sacrifices narrative ease to didacticism, causing Mark's narration to be generally stilted and lifeless, the only slight exception being the description of Aaron's record-breaking game. Kim's bright, double-page spreads add some zest to the text. An afterword that provides biographical information about Aaron contains a puzzling error, stating that the Negro Leagues in 1951 were the only venue for African-American ballplayers even as it trumpets Jackie Robinson's 1947 entry into the Major Leagues. Disappointing. (bibliography) (Picture book. 8-10)

Kirkus Reviews