Teachers who work with English as a Second Language learners will find ESL/ESOL/ELL/EFL reading/writing skill-building children's books, stories, activities, ideas, strategies to help PreK-3, 4-8, and 9-12 students learn to read.
Baseball: A Game for All Americans
If your kids like baseball or softball, they are sure to enjoy these stories about people from all kinds of backgrounds that fell in love with baseball. Some are about Latino players like Roberto Clemente and Alex Rodríguez, while others focus on the stories of young children who took refuge in the game during difficult times. A few of the books are bilingual or are available in Spanish.
For older students, be sure to take a look at AdLit.org's baseball list!
¡Béisbol!: Latino Baseball Pioneers and Legends
This collection profiles 14 Latino baseball pioneers (Roberto Clemente, Bobby Avila, etc.) who played during the first half of the 20th century, often in the Negro Leagues or winter leagues of Latin America. Readers will learn about the group's accomplishments, including the barriers they had to overcome and how they paved the way for today's Latino baseball stars.
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson
In the 1950's, current Marylander Mamie Johnson became one of only a handful of women to play professional baseball when she signed for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. Sports fans and those who like stories about strong young women will find this equally appealing.
Baseball Bats for Christmas
Product Description: In 1955, Rocky Parsons, the bush pilot, drops off a bunch of Christmas trees in Repulse Bay much to the delight of the kids who have never before seen a tree. What do you do with a bunch of splidly trees, the purposes of which are not immediately apparent? Play baseball, of course! An autobiographical tale from Michael Kusugak's childhood tells a story of life in the arctic, and shows how easily different cultures can interpret things differently.
Baseball in the Barrios
In this photo essay, Henry Horenstein introduces us to Hubaldo, a boy in Caracas who lives and breathes baseball. We get to see the sport and the country of Venezuela through his eyes, from his league team to attending games with his father to collecting baseball cards to all of the different ways and places people play baseball throughout the country. Young baseball fans will recognize the same love for the game they share in Hubaldo!
Baseball on Mars
What do you get when put together an old barrel, a few boards, a steering wheel, and a lucky chair? A rocket to Mars, of course! Join a young boy and his father as they take an exciting journey to the stars and get ready to play the first game of baseball in outer space. Bilingual text.
Baseball Saved Us
During World War II, Japanese Americans were placed in internment camps. Isolated and bored, baseball became a life and soul-saving pastime which successfully brought very different people together. Darkly hued illustrations evoke the difficulty of the time, based on the author's family story. Spanish version available.
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson
Meet Shirley Temple Wong, a delightful heroine who has come from China and arrived in Brooklyn in 1947 — the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson. Based on the author's own experiences, the story captures the highs and lows of coming to live in a new country, learning English, and falling in love with the Brooklyn Dodgers during moments that are both heartbreaking and hilarious. A must-read for teachers working with ELLs and newcomer students.
Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer
On a Maine summer day in 1884, twelve-year-old Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis first fell in love with baseball. As he grew up, Louis honed his skills and dreamed of one day joining a major league team. Louis encountered opposition at every turn, from the jeers of teammates and the taunts of spectators to the disapproval of his father. With determination, courage, and quiet dignity, Louis Sockalexis smashed racial barriers and home runs, leaving an indelible mark on America's favorite sport.
Out of the Ballpark
This story, written by Alex Rodriguez, is inspired by his childhood passion for baseball — which included getting up at 5 a.m. to practice! Find out how Alex decides to fix his mistakes on the field as a big championship game approaches. Warm, vivid pastel illustrations bring the Alex, his home baseball diamond, and the tropical background to life. Spanish version available.
Roberto Clemente: Pride of the Pittsburgh Pirates
This moving tribute is the perfect introduction to Roberto Clemente. Readers will learn of his humble beginnings, the challenges he faced in a new country, and his unprecedented accomplishments as one of the greatest baseball players in history. Even more importantly, readers will come to understand the way that Clemente's generosity shaped so much of his life — and his untimely death. Raúl Colón's impressionistic yet evocative illustrations enhance the emotional impact of the text.
We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball
An introduction by baseball great Hank Aaron opens this riveting look at the history of the Negro League. A large format supports revealing portraits of League players and an absorbing narration revealed in nine innings. Endnotes and further readings conclude this memorable and accessible history.
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