The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True [Hardcover]

Ray Negron (Author), Laura Seeley (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Young Michael Steel loves to watch the New York Yankees on TV—from his hospital bed. Michael has brain cancer. But when Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano visits Michael in the hospital, Michael embarks on an unexpected and wonderful journey when he becomes a Yankee batboy for a day. It's his baseball dream come true!

When Michael's illness makes him weak on the field, can he be strong enough to fulfill his batboy duties and make his new teammates proud? With a little help from Yankee greats Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle, Michael Steel earns his nickname "The Boy of Steel" and learns a very important lesson: Never stop fighting!

Laura Seeley's vibrant, action-packed illustrations illuminate Ray Negron's touching and triumphant story, and children and parents alike will root for Michael as they learn about baseball, cancer, and a life lesson we all need to know. With a foreword by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, The Boy of Steel will be a hit with your little baseball fan.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“A clear, concise, compelling account of real mental toughness in a young child ... A necessary addition to elementary school libraries.” (Dr. Charlie Maher, Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University and team psychologist for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers )

“... powerful messages ranging from mental toughness to teamwork ... engaging ... promotes interaction between parents and children.” (Don Kalkstein, sports psychologist for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks )

“The Boy of Steel is moving and smart, a triumph.” (Jeremy Schaap, ESPN, author of Cinderella Man )

“Extremely inspirational. Kids . . . will get the courage to do anything that they want in life.” (Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees )

“To call The Boy of Steel ‘heartwarming and inspirational’ is an understatement for this wonderful book.” (Carvin Winans of the gospel singing group The Winans )

“Masterfully walks a tightrope between fantasy and reality, teaching hard lessons about illness while simultaneously entertaining . . . a must-read.” (Ken Davidoff, national baseball writer, Newsday )

“Being a dad, this is the type of story that I would really want to share with my child.” (Baseball Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson )

“I was moved by The Boy of Steel. As a cancer survivor, I know the fear that cancer patients experience.” (Darryl Strawberry )

“I encourage all parents to read The Boy of Steel to their kids. It will promote awareness of cancer.” (Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox, who lost his mother to cancer in December 2004 )

About the Author

Ray Negron is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Boy of Steel and The Greatest Story Never Told: The Babe and Jackie. He currently works with the New York Yankees as a personal consultant to George Steinbrenner. In addition, he is also director of community relations for Spalding, America's oldest baseball company.

He lives in Florida with his four children.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 48 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1St Edition edition (August 29, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060898704
• ISBN-13: 978-0060898700
• Product Dimensions: 8.7 x 11.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,312,853 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Magical Story of Love and Hope, September 8, 2006

By 

Charie La Marr Longo "Lover of Literature" (Mineola, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True (Hardcover)

This is one of the most inspirational children's books I have ever read. The message is simple but powerful and an inspiration for all. It is part Pinocchio,part Pride of the Yankees, and it works. For anyone who has ever had a child go through any kind of serious illness, it is a wonderful reminder of how sometimes the smallest thing can suddenly reach out to that child and bring them back to you, and how you should never give up fighting. For those who have lost a child, it is a powerful lesson in love, hope and strength. For those whose lives have never been touched by serious childhood illness, it is a chance to reach out and hug your own kids and realize just how special each and every child is and how much they bless your life. It's all about believing, and the message comes through loud and clear. This book should be on every child's bookshelf, in every classroom and in every library. It is a story to read again and again. The illustrations are just perfect for the story, gentle and magical. Since the proceeds of this book go to charity, you are not only sharing the magic of The Boy of Steel with your own children, you are helping other children as well. Young or old, you will be touched by the inspirational story and the simple style of the author. It is a book I now proudly own, and my child, a survivor of serious childhood illness, is now 20. It is a wonderful reminder for me that I am one of the lucky ones -- truly blessed to have my son. He has read it, too. Read The Boy of Steel and share the message of love with others. It truly has touched my life.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True, January 11, 2007

By 

Lucille T. Lasky-nuzzi - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True (Hardcover)

Sometimes it is a children's book that should be read by ALL young and old alike.
Ray Negron's book is one of those books. A wonderful story with a great uplifting message
for children AND adults.
Moms and Dads should read this one to ALL the children and teachers should be encouraged
to add it to their class curriculum.

Just a great book---that does not come around too often. BUY this one!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Story, January 9, 2007

By 

E. M. Armstrong "Pennelaine" (Long Island) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True (Hardcover)

If you want to bawl, this is the book to read. Written with alot of love and tenderness and history of the NY Yankees, by a guy who works in the Yankees front office. A++++