The Bat Boy and His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) [Hardcover]

Gavin Curtis (Author), E.B. Lewis (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books

"Is -- Reginald -- at -- it -- again?" Papa shouts between notes.

"Hush up," Mama says, "I just love this one."

Papa sometimes comes home in a bad mood because he's the manager of the Dukes -- the worst team in the Negro National League.

Reginald loves his violin. His constant practice pays off in floods of beautiful music. But Papa could care less about Reginald's "fiddling." He's more concerned about the Dukes's losing streak, and he needs his son for something other than playing music. When Papa makes Reginald the Dukes's bat boy, Reginald worries that his practice time will suffer, and that he won't be ready for his recital. He takes on every free moment he can find to play, and ends up filling the dugout with Mozart, Beethoven, and Bach. Soon the Dukes begin to shake their bad luck. But there's still that big game against the Monarchs, and there's still Papa's heart that needs winning over.

In this beautifully told story of family ties and team spirit, Gavin Curtis captures a very special period in history. Award-winning artist E.B. Lewis brings the warmth of this powerful story to life with his lush watercolor paintings.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Though the themes of baseball and classical music initially may seem a jarring juxtaposition, here the duet makes for lovely harmony. Lewis's (Fire on the Mountain) realistic, emotion-charged watercolor paintings evoke a pivotal period in baseball history. It is 1948 and, as Jackie Robinson did the prior year, many top African American ball players in the Negro Leagues are defecting to join "white teams." Curtis's (Grandma's Baseball) plot centers on Reginald, a young violin player whose father manages the Negro National League's worst team, which has lost its best players. Hoping to tear him away from his beloved instrument, Papa drafts Reginald as the Dukes' bat boy, but soon discovers that his son is as clumsy with the bats as he is graceful with his bow. Yet when the boy plays his violin in the dugout, his music inspires the batters, and the Dukes miraculously make it to the playoffs. As Curtis shapes a heartwarming relationship between father and son, his portrayal doesn't neglect the era's bitter facts: though previously all-white leagues were accepting African American ball players, many other whites were not. The Dukes may not go home with the pennant, but this imposing book will score high marks with youngsters, whether their tastes run to sports or to Mozart. Ages 4-10.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-4AThis picture book offers readers many things: an interesting look at life in the Negro National Baseball League of the 1940s, a wonderfully delineated father-son relationship, and a gentle advocacy of the sometimes intangible value of culture. Reginald is serious about playing his violin but his father, who coaches "the worst team in the Negro National League," the Dukes, believes his son would use his time more wisely by serving as bat boy for the team. After a couple of humorous disasters, the child becomes an unusual bat boy who plays his violin in the dugout to urge the players on, while his father takes care of the equipment. Ultimately, the Dukes' success and appreciation for Reginald's talents make his father alter his view of violin playing and find pride in his son's achievements. Lewis's soft watercolor illustrations portray the characters with depth and beauty, resulting in a very special book.AJudith Constantinides, East Baton Rouge Parish Main Library, LA
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers; 1st edition (April 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689800991
• ISBN-13: 978-0689800993
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,904,006 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful story on many levels, October 15, 2000

By 

Gwyneth Calvetti (West Salem, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bat Boy and His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

This book has so many themes superimposed on one another, but they are all presented within the context of a wonderful story about a boy who just wanted to play his violin.

Set among the context of the Negro League era, Reginald's father decides one summer to make him bat boy for his team. The team is down on its luck, and Reginald's heart isn't in this assignment, but everything comes together for him and the team one day.

The history of the era as gently portrayed in the travels of the players is presented for young readers. The story of being true to yourself, and of parents learning to accept that in their children, is here as well. Above all else, the story of Reginald and his journeys with the ball players is a story of hope and triumph among the community in a time that was not always seen as one of hope. Along with all of this, the illustrations of E. B. Lewis capture these themes beautifully.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars History, heart, and an ending to make you weep, November 25, 1998

By 

Martha H. Garvey "book author" (Hoboken, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Bat Boy and His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

In the twilight days of the Negro Leagues, a gruff manager of a losing Negro League team is unhappy that his musical son spends all his time practicing his "fiddle." He hauls the unwilling and sensitive boy to games, to employ him as a bat boy....and the magic, not to be revealed here, begins. A lovely book about appreciating differences.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Bat Boy and His Violin (Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books) (Hardcover)

This wonderfully illustrated and written book has deservedly won the destinction of being selected as an honor book by the Coretta Scott King Award selection committee. Enjoy!