Baseball Saved Us (Paperback)

by Ken Mochizuki (Author), Dom Lee (Illustrator) "One day, my dad looked out at the endless desert and decided then and there to build a baseball field..." (more)

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.

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 the Audio CD edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Lee & Low Books (March 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880000199
• ISBN-13: 978-1880000199
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 8 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars See all reviews (18 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #30,759 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #8 in	Books > Children's Books > Issues > Multiculturalism
  #12 in	Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Multicultural Stories > Asian & Asian American
  #14 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Baseball > Fiction

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Baseball Saved US, July 26, 2004

By	Amy "ahenn" (IL) - See all my reviews

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.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A true American sport, July 27, 2004

By	S. Dennis - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars baseball saved us, March 31, 2005

A Kid's Review

This book was about a boy and his family when america was at war with jaspan. The boys dad dicided to make a baseball field and everyone hekp it eas like the real thing. The boy was not such a good playaer but he practiced. After the war ended he went back home it was bad nobody talked him and also made fun of him. Basebasll season came and he palyed for a team there to they made fun of him saying Jap's no good. That same day he bated and he made jhi steam win. This sotry show the struggle and getting out it just by playing baseball.