This story is an excellent example of historical fiction because it draws upon the real softball experience of girls living in the late 1940's, just after World War II came to an end and the Japanese were released from the internment camps. The girls on the two softball teams, along with their families and their communities, come to the harsh realization in this story that racism and prejudice are prevalent, even though it seems as if society should have moved past such hateful intolerance. This message permeates beyond the time and place of the book into the life of the reader as well, causing them to think about how racism and prejudice are still prevalent in our world today. The girls in this story, though, learn that the only way to overcome racism and prejudice as a society is to be individuals who will stand up against it. An interesting style technique that the author uses in conveying this message to the reader is through point of view. The entire book is told in first person, but from a number of different perspectives. This allows the reader to get into the head of each character and see exactly where they are coming from, which causes the reader to not be so quick to judge the actions of certain characters. It also teaches readers to show grace to people and learn their life stories before making any value judgments. ( )

The story of two towns who have a historic feud but come together in order to play softball. Set after World War II when the communities were healing from the war and dealing with the reintroduction of the Asian citizens who were wrongly imprisoned. Told from the perspective of multiple narrators, I would include this in my collection, but I think the number of narrators would make it a confusing read even for the brightest child. It is recommended for grades 5-7 by School Library Journal. ( )

Notes:
The narrative of events, at times reluctant, revolves around a 6th grade girls softball game threads a tale of camaraderie, sportsmanship and allegiances. Set in the years after World War II, the town members of this Pacific Northwest region grapple with formalities and changing times. The polyvolic format winds the reader through the events leading up to the big game and the catalyzing interaction that challenges the status quo.
Personal Reaction:
I loved this book! I ignored my family for half an afternoon and was swept by the girls telling their versions. In some ways it was so foreign to me, the reality of the Japanese American’s at the time of the war and the patriotic Rah! Rah! that controlled much of the societal interactions. I was incredibly moved at the undercurrents of prejudice and discomfort that were addressed due to the event of the game. The opportunities for personal growth as a result of a tragic event were monumental and in many ways long overdue. I highly recommend Bat 6. ( )

Lexile: 930
Reading Recovery: 30
DRA: 44
Fountas Pinnel Guided Reading: X

CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 1998)
Effective use of multiple perspectives serves both to tell the story and tie theme into structure of this unusual and provocative novel set in 1949. The annual softball game each May between the sixth grade girls of Barlow and Bear Creek Ridge is the biggest event of the year in the two communities. But that year, 1949, something terrible happens during the game, and as the novel begins the girls from both teams have agreed to each tell their own parts of a story that stretches back to the start of the school year and farther in order to try to make sense of what happened. Each of the teams had a new player at the start of the school year. In Bear Creek Ridge, it is Aki, whose family has just returned to the community after years away, most of them spent in a Japanese American internment camp. The new player in Barlow is Shazam, an odd, out-of-synch girl who, it turns out, has been shuttled from place to place ever since her father was killed in the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor. The players on the two teams number more than 20, and Virigina Euwer Wolff has made them each part of a narrative in which the whole transcends the individual voice as the girls piece together why Shazam viciously attacked Aki at the game. At the same time, the individual lives of the various girls are distinct, and in addition to exploring issues of race and prejudice, the narrative portrays the barriers between rich and poor among the many girls as well. Rich period details, such as the arrival of the first refrigerator for one girl and her family, heighten the reading experience of the novel. Younger readers may find it difficult to tell the many players apart despite these distinctions in their lives. There is a roster for each team at the beginning of the book and each speaker is clearly identified, but it is difficult to always remember which team she is on. What readers may discover as the narrative progresses, however, is that it doesn't really matter. They are all part of a larger community that is woven out of the truth of their collective voice. Honor Books, CCBC Newbery Award CCBC categories: Fiction for Children. 1998, Scholastic, 230 pages, $16.95. Ages 10-14.