Luke Goes to Bat

Luke Goes to Bat was a neat book revolving around the young boy, Luke. Luke wanted desperately to play baseball with his older sibling and friends. Finally, when there was a spot to fill, Luke got his chance. Unfortunately he did not do too well. Luke, bummed out, returned home where his grandmother was there to console him. She basically forced him to go to a Dodgers game that night where the great Jackie Robinson was playing. The book kind of gets corny when Jackie Robinson hits a home run for Luke and then tells him after the game that Luke must keep working hard and keep his head up. The book gives some decent life lessons for young kids, and a lot can be gained for the reader in that aspect.

Ages 3-8. Luke dreams of playing baseball with his older brother and his friends. He watches them play everyday and practices waiting for his chance. When the opportunity comes he realizes he has lots to learn. His granmother presents him with the gift of tickets to see Jackie Robinson play and he learns that even the great Jacki Robinson can miss at bat. Finally Luke's hero knocks one out of the park. That night Luke is on the roof of his building and finds a baseball, could it be the very baseball Jacki Robinson hit? Inspiring story about practice, perseverance and following your dreams.

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

Luke longs for his chance to play baseball with the older kids. He idolizes Jackie Robinson. When the other kids need another player, Luke steps in but strikes out--twice. His grandma encourages him to never give up and takes him to a Dodgers game. Nicely done and perfect for boys who long to play ball!

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