Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team [Hardcover]

Audrey Vernick (Author), Steven Salerno (Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: April 3, 2012 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 780L (What's this?)

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.

Editorial Reviews

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 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

This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is brought to vivid life through illustrations created with black crayon, gouache, watercolor, and pastel. The heavy crayon lines, a digitally enhanced palette alive with blues and greens, and beautifully designed pages capture the feel of this slice of American history. - Horn Book

"I was lucky to play in the big leagues with my brother as a teammate and my dad as our manager. It was a very special time. The story of the Acerra brothers brought those memories back. It is a wonderful illustration of what a great game baseball is and how it brings families together on many different levels. Brothers at Bat is a story any baseball fan will enjoy and one that we all should know."--Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr.

"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

 

About the Author

Audrey Vernick is the author of the picture books Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten?, She Loved Baseball, and Brothers at Bat, as well as the novel Water Balloon. She has published short stories for adults and twice received the New Jersey State Council of the Arts' fiction fellowship. She lives with her family in New Jersey.Visit her at  www.audreyvernick.com

Steven Salerno has illustrated many popular picture books for children, including The Dirty Little Boy by Margaret Wise Brown, Bebe Goes Shopping, and Brothers at Bat, as well as his own Little Tumbo and Coco the Carrot. A graduate of Parsons School of Design, where he studied under famed author/illustrator Maurice Sendak, Steven's illustrations appear in magazines, advertising campaigns, product packaging, and retail interiors. He lives and works in New York City. www.stevensalerno.com

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Clarion Books; First Edition edition (April 3, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0547385579
• ISBN-13: 978-0547385570
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 9.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #34,313 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Sports & Recreation
  • #19 in Books > Children's Books > History > United States > 1900s
  • #36 in Books > Children's Books > Travel & Cultures > Where We Live > City Life

More About the Author

Audrey Vernick writes fiction and nonfiction for kids and teens. A two-time recipient of the New Jersey Arts Council's fiction fellowship, Audrey lives near the ocean with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 12 brothers!!! April 3, 2012

A Kid's Review

Format:Hardcover

how come I didn't already know this story? it's about 12 brothers from long branch in new jersey who made their own baseball team! they had this huge family because there were 4 sisters too and the illustrations show them sharing beds and rooms but mostly playing ball. they won championships and were honored by the hall of fame. if they were doing that now i bet they would have their own reality tv show. instead, there's this book and it's really great. the pictures are so good and the story is amazing, but i really still wonder--how come i didn't know this story before now?

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars An amazing story! December 17, 2012

By Jen R

Format:Hardcover

I think this is one of the first historical fiction picture books I have read. It is great for all kids, not just boys, and shows the importance of family. The author notes in the back share more factual info about the brothers and their family history. Very fun read!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars deserves all the starred reviews June 30, 2012

By Susan Golden

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase

This captivating book has been described in full detail in other reviews and the illustrations covered in the quote from Horn Book in editorial reviews, so I will just say that Brothers at Bat is a lively look at how we think America was and should be. Playing for fun, love of the game, and loyalty, not millions of dollars is its theme. I just purchased this for an avid Phillies fan as a retirement present. Not for kids only!