9.16.2012

Silent Star


The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy

This post is part of Nonfiction Monday hosted today by Wrapped in Foil and joins It's Monday! What are you reading? at Teacher Mentor Texts
(pub. 4.1.2012) 40 pages 

A True Tale with A Cherry On Top

A uthor: Bill Wise
         Illustrator: Adam Gustavson

haracter: William Hoy

O verview from the jacket flap: 

      "William Hoy loved baseball. Growing up in the 1860s and '70s, he dreamed of one day playing in the major leagues. A far-off fantasy for many boys, fulfilling this dream was even more of a long shot for William, who was deaf... A talented played with a standout record, Hoy is a shining example that success in life should not be measured by differences but by drive and determination."
        
T antalizing taste: 

   "Some children teased William or were afraid to play with him because he was deaf and did not use his voice to communicate. Adults could be thoughtless too, looking down on the boy or ignoring him altogether. Friendly and personable, William was confused, his feelings hurt. Everyone was different in some way. He wondered why people could not accept him as he was." 

and something more: I chose another baseball book for today because our family is in big-time baseball mode with the hopes that the San Francisco Giants will keep rolling. I like the photo at the back of Silent Star of a baseball signed by William Hoy -- there's just something about signed baseballs and signed books. 

The author, Bill Wise, learned about William Hoy when he was a boy, and now he's sharing this inspiring story with another generation of children -- not only readers, but his students. As a former 7th and 5th grade language arts teacher, I'm impressed that Bill Wise teaches 8th grade math and language arts! In an interview about writing and baseball, Bill Wise was asked How do you feel teaching affects the way you put together a story? He answered, "Because I am a teacher, I try to write stories that teach children about determination, tolerance, courage, and pride."

4 comments:

GatheringBooks said...

You got me at Lee & Low books! They're great, aren't they. I'm not a huge baseball fan, but I have a feeling that I'd enjoy this one. Thanks for sharing this, Jeanne. I bought quite a number of picture book biographies from the Singapore Library Warehouse sale this weekend and I thought of you. :)

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Myra! That's so nice you thought of me in connection with pb bios! A library warehouse sale ... sounds like my cup of tea!

Tara @ A Teaching Life said...

I love baseball and any book about the sport - this one looks charming!

Jeanne Walker Harvey said...

Hi Tara! Yes, I think you'll like this one -- it's quite touching. And it has great play-by-play baseball action, too.