Synopses & Reviews
The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the
1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball
team . . . with three on the bench! The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother
team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for
and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way
could stop them.
Full of action, drama, and excitement, this never-before-told true story is vividly
brought to life by Audrey Vernickand#8217;s expert storytelling and Steven Salernoand#8217;s stunning
vintage-style art.
Review
and#8220;Bildner narrates the tale with breathless enthusiasm, capturing the excitement that swept the nation, while cleverly incorporating facts.and#8221;
and#8212;Kirkus Reviews, starred review
and#8220;With authentic period detailsand#8230; Bildner and Schindler effectively evoke the baseball fever ignited by these two performances.and#8221;
and#8212;Publishers Weekly, starred review
and#8220;This winning picture book should be welcomed by baseball enthusiasts everywhere.and#8221;
and#8212;School Library Journal, starred review
Review
"I was lucky to play in the big leagues with my brother as a teammate and my dad as our manager. It was a very special time. The story of the Acerra brothers brought those memories back. It is a wonderful illustration of what a great game baseball is and how it brings families together on many different levels.
Brothers at Bat is a story any baseball fan will enjoy and one that we all should know."--Hall of Famer
Cal Ripken, Jr. "A captivating story, impeccable layout, and glorious illustrations make this historical account an unqualified winner." --New York Times Book Review
"With a sense of humor, Audrey Vernick tells the true-life story of the 12 Acerra boys of Long Branch, NJ, who formed a team coached by their dad." --USA Today
"A remarkable story." --Wall Street Journal
"A lively story about family loyalty and love of the game, pulled from the sidelines of baseball history." --Publishers Weekly, *starred review*
"A delight not to miss." --School Library Journal, *starred review*
"[A] story of brotherly--and baseball--love." --Booklist, *starred review*
"Vernick's wry and rousing narration is perfectly matched by Salerno's mixed-media pictures."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, *starred review*
"Employing descriptive, conversational language in a matter-of-fact tone that doesnand#8217;t sentimentalize, Vernick tells of a remarkable family . . . Salernoand#8217;s lively drawings, rendered in black crayon, gouache, watercolor and pastel with digital color added, complement the action, striking a balance between detail and expansiveness.A family's love and devotion to each other and to the game of baseball, depicted lovingly." --Kirkus Reviews
"This story of a real American family whose bond was the game is brought to vivid life through illustrations." --Horn Book Magazine
"For those who love baseball, history and family stories, this book hits a home run."--Shelf Awareness, *starred review*
"Striking black crayon, gouache and watercolor paintings enhanced with digital color provide a solid backup to the tightly written narrative. A very pleasing slice of American history." --Cleveland Plain Dealer
A NewYork Times Notable Book for 2012
A 2012 Booklist Editor's Choice
Synopsis
Witness the incredible record-breaking season of 1941! At the start of the 1941 baseball season, neither Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees nor Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox were beloved by baseball fans. But all that changed when Joe started a 56-game hitting streak and Tedand#8217;s batting average rose to over .400. Despite the challenges along the way, the records set by these two baseball icons still live on today.
Synopsis
The amazing true story of the Acerra family from New Jersey, whose 12 boys formed their own semi-professional baseball team in the 1930s. The team was the longest-running all-brother team in historyand#160;and is honored in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
About the Author
A lifelong Mets fan, Phil Bildner still has a hard time believing he actually penned a book about the New York Yankees. He wrote much of the text while sitting in his old Shea Stadium seats, which are now by his television his Brooklyn apartment. A former New York City middle school teacher, Phil is also the author of
The Greatest Game ever Played,
Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy, winner of the Texas Bluebonnet Award, as well as co-author with Loren Long of the
New York Times bestselling
Sluggers series.
Visit him online at www.philbildner.com.
S. D. Schindler has illustrated numerous picture books, including The Snow Globe Family by Jane Oand#8217;Connor and ALA Notable books The Story of Salt and the The Codand#8217;s Tale, both by Mark Kurlansky. He lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Visit him online at www.sdschindlerbooks.com.