During World War II, a young Japanese-American boy and his family are sent to an internment camp after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Despondent in their desolate surroundings, father and son pull the camp together to build a baseball diamond and form a league.
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Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
PW praised the "stylish prose" and "stirring illustrations" in this tale of a Japanese American boy's confinement in a WWII internment camp. Ages 4-up.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 1-4–During World War II the author's parents were sent to an internment camp in Idaho. That family history led to this poignant story about a young Japanese-American boy in an internment camp and the baseball diamond that gave the internees a purpose in life and a way of passing the time. The young boy's triumph in a game played while in captivity helps him when he returns home and continues his baseball career. The baseball heading over the fence on the last page tugs at the heart of readers as it symbolizes freedom lost, and regained. Author Ken Mochizuki reads his award-winning book (Lee & Low, 1993). There is some soft background music, and a few gentle sound effects, but the power of the words need little embellishment. Young students will be made aware of the overt racism Japanese-Americans faced during this period of history. This treasure of a book is well-treated in this format.—Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary School, Federal Way, WA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
19 of 19 people found the following review helpful
By Amy
Format:Paperback
Mochizuki, K. (1993). Baseball Saved Us. New York. LEE & LOW BOOKS.
The story of "Shorty" and his family living at an interment camp during WWII can be used when teaching students about war, especially WWII. Younger students can relate to the character of "Shorty" and his struggles with fitting in and the hardships he feels among peers. Older students can debate the equality issues and the effect war has on people concerning race, religion, and nationality. The issues of prejudices are revealed through the eyes of a young Japanese-American boy. This story revolves around baseball, an all American great pastime. Baseball is the answer because the Japanese-American's are American's. The injustices in this book are well written to inform a large audience at many age levels.
The story of "Shorty" and his family living at an interment camp during WWII can be used when teaching students about war, especially WWII. Younger students can relate to the character of "Shorty" and his struggles with fitting in and the hardships he feels among peers. Older students can debate the equality issues and the effect war has on people concerning race, religion, and nationality. The issues of prejudices are revealed through the eyes of a young Japanese-American boy. This story revolves around baseball, an all American great pastime. Baseball is the answer because the Japanese-American's are American's. The injustices in this book are well written to inform a large audience at many age levels.
51 of 60 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
The book starts out well. As a Japanese American teacher (retired) who was interned, however, I was very troubled by the stereotypic name ("Shorty") given to the protagonist; boys in camp had lots of nicknames--why select one that reinforces negative images? Was also disturbed by the boy's motivation, anger at the white camp guard, because it sends a poor message to young readers that they need anger at someone who was doing his job to motivate them. Most of the boys playing ball in camp played for love of the game, out of boredom, or someother reason but if they tried to do well it wasn't out of anger. Last, and most problematic, is the ending where after the war, Shorty is playing baseball and being called different racist names. Then he hits a home run and suddenly everyone loves him. The book never explains why calling people racist names is a bad thing. What if Shorty (like many children) couldn't hit a home run? The underlying message seems to be that if you assimilate enough into white culture (hit a home run) all your problems with racism will be solved. That's unrealistic and for those of us who have lived with racism, highly offensive. It's clear to me that the young man who wrote the book meant well but clearly he did not live through the war and has not thought these things out. Was told the book got some awards, and am most concerned that readers wouldn't see the inherent problems with the book. Baseball didn't save anybody.
11 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By S. Dennis
Format:Paperback
This book is a great inspiration to young children. It deals with obstacles in life and the ways they are over come. Even if you are different, there are ways for everyone to fit in.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great story!
The lad I purchased this book for had already read the book with me at the library and wanted it for his own, so he was thrilled to get the book for an Easter gift!
Published 1 month ago by BobbieThornton
5.0 out of 5 stars
great
Great! This will work well with our school. It will meet the needs of our students and faculty as required.
Published 4 months ago by Comanche ISD - Comanche ISD District Libraries
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book for describing cause and effect!
I teach 4th grade and decided to use this book to teach cause and effect. You can talk about Peal Harbor and what happened just to give them a little background knowledge. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Kilakki23
5.0 out of 5 stars
An Incredible Childhood Memory...
My father did his Masters work on the Minidoka Internment Camp in Idaho when I was little and it was difficult for him to answer our questions about his research with our limited... Read more
Published 16 months ago by JanStudent
4.0 out of 5 stars
Baseball Saved Us
Imprisoned in an internment camp in America for those of Japanese descent, Shorty used baseball as a way to gain back a measure of dignity and self-respect. Read more
Published on January 27, 2011 by Mary E. Young
5.0 out of 5 stars
nice book for kids
This historical fiction reading written by Ken Mochizuki portrays life of Japanese-Americans who were sent to camps during the war with Japan. Read more
Published on January 27, 2011 by The Real
5.0 out of 5 stars
Stepping Up to the Plate
Shorty, the young narrator was the son of Japanese internees in a prison camp during WWII. The inmates drove home the point that having purpose and something to look forward to... Read more
Published on June 18, 2010 by BeatleBangs1964
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Moving Tribute to Human Courage and Dignity
In this moving tribute to human courage and dignity (written by the child of Japanese internees), a young Japanese boy describes his time in the American internment camps during... Read more
Published on May 11, 2010 by Shanna A. Gonzalez
3.0 out of 5 stars
slow shipping
The book was in excellent condition, but the shipping was very slow. It took 3 weeks from when I ordered the book.
Published on February 12, 2010 by Pam Strawn
5.0 out of 5 stars
A story that teaches ethnic tolerance and history to young people
One of the darkest episodes in the history of the United States occurred immediately after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Read more
Published on January 28, 2010 by Charles Ashbacher
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