TITLE: The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America’s Hero
AUTHOR: Barb Rosenstock
ILLUSTRATOR: Terry Widener
PUBLICATION INFO: Calkins Creek, 2014
ISBN: 9781590789926
SOURCE: library
INTENDED AUDIENCE: ages 8 and up
GENRE: nonfiction picture book
OPENING and SYNOPSIS:
“It all started quietly, like a conversation with Joe DiMaggio himself.”
From the publisher:
“In the summer of 1941, Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio and his favorite bat, Betsy Ann, begin the longest hitting streak in baseball history. But when Betsy Ann goes missing, will DiMaggio keep hitting? Set on the brink of World War II, this is a spellbinding account of a sports story that united the country and made DiMaggio a hero, at a time when one was profoundly needed. Barb Rosenstock’s action-packed text and Terry Widener’s powerful illustrations capture DiMaggio’s drive as well as his frustration. The book also includes headlines, quotes, stats, and a detailed bibliography.”
THEMES/TOPICS: history, biography, sports
WHY I LIKE THIS BOOK: I’m taking a course on picture book pacing right now. Pacing, speeding up and slowing down the reader to build tension, is something I really struggle with in my own writing. To help, I’ve been studying pacing by reading LOTS and LOTS of nonfiction picture books. Though I love all of Barb Rosenstock’s books, this is perhaps the best I’ve seen when it comes to pacing. She uses vivid verbs, as well as repetition. The word “streak” is used throughout, printed in red, like the crowd’s chant. Sometimes, Rosenstock repeats the word three times in a row for more emphasis: “streak, streak, streak.” Rosenstock also uses numbers to help build tension, driving the reader forward, as in “28, 29, 30 games.” All in all, this book is a dramatic read.
RESOURCES/ACTIVITIES:
- Use baseball stats to teach math in a practical way.
- A teacher’s guide is available through Rosenstock’s Web site.
- PBS’S American Experience has a Joe DiMaggio film with instructions for how to use the film and Web site in the classroom.
You’ll find way more cool books at Susanna Leonard Hill’s “Perfect Picture Books.” Every Friday folks review a host of new books. Join us!
Kirsten W. Larson 
Never heard of this one. I’ll be on the lookout. That’s neat about the pacing!
It’s a good book to study.
I bet if more teachers would teach with such an application, kids would be running to school!
If teachers used math to teach baseball, it would make baseball more fun. 🙂
That would be pretty darn interesting!
Thanks for the heads up. I am fascinated by Barb’s talent. This looks like another winner.
Isn’t Barb amazing? And she churns out book after book. I am looking forward to reading her Ben Franklin book that’s just out.
I love all of Barb Rosenstock’s books also – and I put this on my library list as soon as you mentioned it on the WOW NF FB page!
PS – can I ask which PB pacing course you are taking?
Hi Cathy! It’s Jodell Sadler’s Pacing Picture Book class. http://www.sadlercreativeliterary.com/webinars—classes.html
This sounds terrific, Kirsten! I didn’t know Betsy Ann went missing (not that surprising – I’m not really a baseball fan :)) but what an interesting story! And how is that course going? I’d love to take it, but don’t have the time just now…
Oh my gosh, I just got caught up. It is like drinking from a firehose. There is so much to think about with picture books. Whoever thinks writing these is easy should look at my notes from this class!
I have learnt al i know about baseball from picture books. They have the perfect amount of details for me. Thanks for recommending another. I liked your craft comments, too.
Ha, ha Joanna. It’s not my favorite sport either. I’ve really been trying to focus on pacing. It’s interesting how much you can learn from each book once you start to pay attention to the details.
Looking forward to reading this one. I’m more interested in baseball than football right now.
What?!? How can you dis footbal, Stacy? Steelers all the way (though we are not off to a good start). 🙂
I love baseball books and this one sounds like a gem in so many ways. I also have a soft sport for Barb Rosenstock’s books.
Barb Rosenstock is my hero. 🙂 Have you read her Franklin book yet?
What a great cover!! I don’t know much about pacing in books, but I’ve learned how to pace myself while listening to books.
It’s amazing how pacing comes to the forefront once you know the techniques. I was listening to a story on THIS AMERICAN LIFE and analyzing pacing techniques.
This sounds like a wonderful NF pick! 😀
You know me and that NF. 🙂
Wow! Looks like a great book. I’ll have to get this one for our school library. I think my 10-yr-old son would like this, and I think I’ll also study it for my own writing, as I, too, struggle with pacing. Thanks for highlighting!
My nearly eight-year-old dug it out of my “return to the library” pile. He really enjoyed it, and he’s not a huge baseball fan. I hope you all enjoy it too!
This sounds amazing. And I really am curious to read it to check out the pacing! My library has it so I put it on hold and will keep your comments about pacing in mind as I read it!