Catching the Moon

Catching the Moon

Specifics

APA Citation: Hubbard, C., & DuBurke, R. (2005). Catching the moon: the story of a young girl's baseball dream. New York: Lee & Low Books. Accessed online from http://www.storylineonline.net/catching-the-moon-the-story-of-a-young-girls-baseball-dream/

Meets EDU 333 Blog Requirement For: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonist, Online materials

Lexile Level: AD70L

Audience: This book is great for any grade level of students. I would read it to a class through middle school. 

Summary

This story is about a young girl, Marcenia, who loves playing baseball, but her parents are not as supportive because they would rather her focus on school. One day a man named Mr. Street told the kids that he is hosting a baseball camp, but it is for boys only. Marcenia tries again and again to prove to him that she is good enough for his camp, and eventually he agrees to let her go, but she cannot afford the cleats she needs. In the end, Mr. Street bought her a brand new pair of cleats, her father said she can go to camp, and she swears she will grow up to become a professional baseball player. 

Evaluation

This story is a good story to read to encourage students to follow their dreams, no matter how many obstacles are in their way. However, there are some stereotypes in the book that are difficult to ignore. First, her father says to her mother that Marcenia will grow up to be like all of the other girls around them, either a teacher, a nurse or a maid. Then Mr. Street is being sexist throughout much of the book and although Marcenia was a great player, he wouldn't take her right away like all of the other boys, she had to prove herself. Mr. Street is a also a white, middle class looking in charge. Lastly, the family is too poor to afford to send her to baseball camp, even though it is free all she would need is new cleats. The hero was first Mr. Street who bought cleats for Marcenia, and then her father her simply gave her permission. Of course none of that would have happened if Marcenia wasn't persistent, but the real heroes were men. 

The writing itself was beautiful. The author uses a lot of similes throughout the text, "As if the moon would drop into it like so many fly balls had before." "[The moon] was so round and bright like a brand new baseball." The illustrations really show how much fun Marcenia has on the field.

The story is also a great one to read because it is a true story, and the girl is now a professional baseball player. This will excite and encourage students to want to push themselves, no matter how hard, to chase their dreams. 

Mini Lesson

I would have the students write about their dreams or goals and how they are going to achieve them. I'd also like them to write about if they ever have been told they can't or if they've been discouraged by an adult to follow their dreams.