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King of the Mound: My Summer with Satchel Paige
by
Wes Tooke
Baseball legend Satchel Paige changes a boy’s life in this coming-of-age tale from the author of Lucky.Nick was going to be a star baseball player, no doubt about it. People for miles around talked about the twelve-year-old boy with the golden arm. And then Nick is diagnosed with polio—a life-threatening disease in the 1930s. Everyone is devastated, especially Nick’s fathe...more
Hardcover, 160 pages
Published
February 21st 2012
by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
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Baseball, historical fiction, and recovery from polio combine to make a quick and interesting read. Characters are well developed; I particularly like that Paige's foibles as well as strengths are shown. Nick's longing to pitch again and his fear of doing so are spot on; as is his understanding that he can't just pick up friendships where he was pre-polio. He's accepted where things stand with his widower father, although he longs for the camaraderie they used to enjoy. His blossoming friendship...more
It had been just over a year that Nick had entered the hospital over 500 miles from home. Nick had contracted polio and he needed to be at the Mayo Clinc if he were going to survive. Miraculously he has fought through the fever and the tingling and the paralysis. He right leg was weakened, but he could walk with a brace thought the heavy leather and iron chafed his leg.
He hadn't seen his dad much in all that time. It was far too come, so he'd been alone most of the time. Now Nick was going home....more
He hadn't seen his dad much in all that time. It was far too come, so he'd been alone most of the time. Now Nick was going home....more
In 1935, Nick is just getting out of the hospital after a year long bout with polio that has left him with a pronounced limp. He knows he's lucky, but having to give up his beloved baseball is devastating. His father is a catcher for Mr. Churchill's small team in Bismarck. Mr. Churchill has been very supportive of Nick during his illness, so Nick works at the ballpark doing anything that needs done. The excitement this year is that Satchel Paige has returned to pitch. He is a fabulous pitcher, b...more
Jul 03, 2012
Karen
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Shelves:
character-study,
childrensbooks,
historical-fiction,
mg-chapter,
sports,
summer-bookaday,
plot
I was at our public library yesterday reserving books, and I just happened to check my GoodReads. Noticed that a friend I trust for recommendations, had recommended this sports historical fiction. For any students who really enjoy baseball, and liked We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson, this would be a perfect fit. I enjoyed so much about this book: each chapter is sequentially titled with what inning it is and whether it is top or bottom of ending (so clever), the main character had polio but learn...more
Summer means baseball, and this is a fun book for young baseball lovers out there. Nick has just been released from the hospital after spending the last year and a half recovering from polio. He can walk, but with braces, and fears he will never be able to pitch or play baseball at all again. Satchel Paige spends the summer playing with his small town's semi-pro league. Of course, Nick learns many life lessons through baseball. But we also get an interesting glimpse at who Satchel Paige was befo...more
One of the first authors I met was actually Wes Tooke. He was still writing as C. W. Tooke at that time, and he was signing a book called Ballpark Blues, a fictional Red Sox account (of course). I don't know how many books he sold that day, but I remember him being a nice guy and he chatted Sox with me while I shelved books for about 20 minutes.
I hadn't seen/heard anything from him for ages until I rediscovered my copy of Ballpark Blues and looked him up. It turns out he's gone into children's b...more
I hadn't seen/heard anything from him for ages until I rediscovered my copy of Ballpark Blues and looked him up. It turns out he's gone into children's b...more
This is one of those books that makes you want to research the time period it takes place in. In this case, the 1930's, when great African American baseball talents like Satchel Paige were prohibited from playing in the major leagues. Nick actually gets to meet Satchel when his dad's team recruits him. Just out of the hospital after having been diagnosed with polio, Nick's leg is weakened and his baseball career is over - or so he thinks. With help from Satchel and his new friend and next door n...more
This was a nice combination of historical fiction and sports action. It covers some serious topics, like overcoming physical adversity and witnessing the racism of the 1930s. Probably my only complaint is that Nick's words sometimes don't match his age and character...lines like "the [lesson] that would stick with him for the rest of his life, had come from watching the dignified way that Satch dealt with the transparent injustice of his situation."
I look forward to hearing what the kids in our...more
I look forward to hearing what the kids in our...more
I always love a good baseball story! A great children's historical fiction read about Nick who has been hospitalized recovering from polio for a year. He doesn't have a great relationship with his father, but they do share a love of baseball. When Nick leaves the hospital, he spends his first summer working at the ballpark of a semipro team, working for the owner. He also gets to meet the legendary pitcher Satchel Paige.
Wow! Loved this book! Great historical fiction, about baseball, segregation, the polio epidemic and North Dakota of all places. Nick is a well-developed main character as you follow him through his first season home from the hospital. An unlikely friendship with the girl next door and the famous Satchel Paige make this an unforgettable and enjoyable read. Hope this one receives some awards.
I can see why this book is a Junior Library Guild selection. Strong character development and well paced story telling combine in this historical fiction middle grade book. Will definitely be book talking this one with students.
I have a weakness for baseball-related historical fiction in general, but this one was superb! Somehow Tooke manages to cover a whole range of issues (race, friendship, family dynamics, grief, disability) without being overwrought or sappy. The story moves along briskly and Satchel Paige is portrayed as a believable and likeable character.
Jun 24, 2012
Cheri
is currently reading it
Love it so far. It ties in well with All the Way Home because of the polio connection and it is set in the same time period. I think it would be a great addition for a book club focused on kids overcoming obstacles.
Very fun book. It will only take a couple hours to read, I highly suggest for a good Sunday read.
For fans of the sport and those of just good people, loved watching Nick grow through that summer.
great combination of historical fiction, baseball, and strong character development
I liked it ok. Good introduction to segregation and the Depression for students who might not be familiar with the time period. Lots of baseball will inspire them to learn more about Satchel Paige. Given that so many kids are asking for Jackie Robinson books because of the "42" trailers, I will definitely add to the collection.
3rd-5th-baseball. tooke has another baseball book too.
AWESOME! I grew up on Satchel Paige stories from my dad, so reading King of the Mound only added to his legend.
Oct 01, 2012
Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)
added it
Seems like a baseball year with all the various baseball related picture books that I have read. This would go nicely with one of our 3rd grade units in ELA and also I could add it to my collection of depression-era stories. It would make a good read aloud
May 15, 2013
Nicki
marked it as to-read
Apr 24, 2013
Laura
marked it as to-read
Mar 15, 2013
Unicorn
marked it as to-read
Feb 18, 2013
Nikole
marked it as to-read
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Jul 03, 2012 07:16am