Luke Goes to Bat

"Luke Goes To Bat" encourages readers to never give up. Luke enjoyed baseball and admired the baseball legend Jackie Robinson. Luke really wanted to play baseball with the kids in his neighborhood but they wouldn't let him play assuming that he was to little or a squirt. When he finally got his chance to play, he embarrassingly struck out losing all confidence. His grandma had faith in Luke and knew that he had never been to a baseball game so she decided to treat him to a major league game. Luke's world changed as he got to see his favorite baseball player Jackie Robinson perform. With that new confidence, Luke went back to the streets where the neighborhood kids played and finally did it. He hit the ball! No matter how many times you show more strike out people will always remember that you never gave up. show less

Whenever the Dodgers play in Brooklyn, Luke goes up to his roof where he can see the lights of Ebbets Field and imagine each play in the game. Someday he wants to hit a homerun like his hero, Jackie Robinson. But the kids on Bedford Avenue won't let him play. "You're just a squirt," they tell him. When he finally does get to play stickball with the others, he does so badly that he thinks they'll never let him play again. But then his grandma takes him to see Jackie in a real game, and Luke discovers that part of being a hero is never giving up, even when there are two strikes against you and the game seems out of reach. Rachel Isadora offers up a touching salute to 1950s Brooklyn, baseball, and one of the most inspiring players ever to show more take the field. (Sports) show less

Young Luke longs to join the older kids playing stickball, and it takes Jackie Robinson to convince him not to give up after his first chance doesn't go so well. While the strong message may resonate with children who long to be better at sports, those looking for an enjoyable story of baseball might find it a little preachy. Also, if it takes an incredible icon like Jackie Robinson to get the point across, is it truly applicable to those outside Luke? The biggest problem with this book, though, is the sudden appearance of Jackie Robinson on Luke's roof. No explanation is given that this is imaginary, resulting in major confusion. In a book where the watercolor paintings are all very realistic, only one hint quite earlier in the book show more provides evidence that these black and white portions are not really happening. Action is broken into two panels on some pages, and other pages are nothing but words on white.

Book Review, Pierce College Ages (4-6) show less

Young Luke longs to join the older kids playing stickball, and it takes Jackie Robinson to convince him not to give up after his first chance doesn't go so well. While the strong message may resonate with children who long to be better at sports, those looking for an enjoyable story of baseball might find it a little preachy. Also, if it takes an incredible icon like Jackie Robinson to get the point across, is it truly applicable to those outside Luke? The biggest problem with this book, though, is the sudden appearance of Jackie Robinson on Luke's roof. No explanation is given that this is imaginary, resulting in major confusion. In a book where the watercolor paintings are all very realistic, only one hint quite earlier in the book show more provides evidence that these black and white portions are not really happening. Action is broken into two panels on some pages, and other pages are nothing but words on white. Most children looking for sports books should be offered something fun, not a lesson with an odd fantasy trip. show less

Rachel Isadora tells the story of Luke, a young boy from Brooklyn who wants to play baseball, but none of the other kids ever let him play because he is small. So, Luke practices by himself until he felt like he was ready to play with the big kids. Luke's hero was Jackie Robinson, the first African-American in the MLB and he always dreamed of hitting a home run for himself. On his first try at bat, he struck out and was ridiculed by the other children. Luke is devastated until his grandmother tells him that she will take him to see Jackie Robinson play. Luke was ecstatic to see Jackie Robinson hit a home run in person and his grandma reminded him that "you can't give up. Even Jackie Robinson's got to keep trying." When they got home, show more Luke went to the roof to find the ball that Jackie Robinson had hit a home run with lying on the roof. And from that day on, Luke never gave up. show less

Luke loves baseball and Jackie Robinson. One day he gets to play stickball with his older brother;s friends, but he strikes out both times he gets to bat. He becomes despondent until his grandma takes him to see a baseball game where his hero, Jackie, is playing. When Jackie takes his turn at bat, he has two strikes with the game hanging in the balance. The next pitch has Jackie hitting the winning home run and Luke's Grandma says to Luke that he should not give up just like Jackie didn't give up after his two strikes. Luke goes home that night and finds, what he believes to be, the winning ball on his roof. He imagines that Jackie Robinson tells him that he hit the home run for Luke and that he should listen to his Grandma and not ever show more give up. Luke resolves to practice and eventually is able to play stickball as well as the other kids.

Ages 5-7
Pierce County Library show less

I truly enjoyed this book. Along with dance, I also played softball so while reading this book I was able to make connections. I think this book is able to teach students multiple lessons. You should never give up and always keep trying. Practice makes perfect. This statement is very true even the best of the best need practice. By never giving up you can become great. Everyone has bad days no matter what it may be but that is okay. I also really enjoyed the way Isadora used Luke's imagination in the story. Overall, I think this is a cute story and I would love to read this to my class one day.