Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story

by Traci Sorell, Joseph Erb (illustrator)

Vann, a struggling stickball player, competes in a game on the Cherokee Nation. Can he help his team win? Written by award-winning Cherokee author Traci Sorell.

Vann loves playing his tribe’s stickball game, but he’s not as skilled as his teammates. Vann stumbles, and he tries and fails to score. How can he help his teammates win? 

Exciting and fast-paced, Clack, Clack! Smack! reminds readers that sportsmanship and being a team player is just as important as being the star. Back matter explains the origins of Cherokee stickball.

Genres: Picture Books, Sports, Indigenous, Childrens

35 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 6, 2024

About the author

Best-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. In 2023, she shares Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series, a Kirkus Reviews starred nonfiction picture book biography illustrated by Arigon Starr, and Mascot, a middle grade fiction novel-in-verse co-authored with Charles Waters. Traci is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Learn more at www.tracisorell.com.

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Charlesbridge for this digital arc.
Stickball is more than a game for the indigenous nations. Historically it was used as a tool to resolve disagreements by many indigenous nations, but this book shares a story of Vann a player on a Cherokee youth team. He wants to do his best for the team but needs to be more self confident, which he is by the end of the game. The reader also learns that stickball gave birth to lacrosse. The title replicates the sound of the sticks while back matter is very illuminating as to the format of the game.
#ClackClackSmackACherokeeStickballStory #NetGalley.

[Lisa Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about kids playing stickball, and we get to learn several words in Cherokee while they are playing. We also get to learn, in the end, how important stickball is to the Cherokee culture. Interestingly, stickball was used to settle differences instead of fighting, and there were rules about how it was played, such as by gender.
I haven't come across many books about Cherokee culture, and this was really interesting. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

[Farah G · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was a mixed bag for me. I really wanted to like it, not least because it is about the heritage of indigenous people, a topic that has generally too long been negated or ignored worldwide.

But the story was pretty basic, and the art was oddly proportioned, with the children's heads appearing very large for their bodies.

On the other hand, the book is worth buying - in my opinion - just for the information provided at the back about the history of Cherokee stickball. It was fascinating to hear that the game was not played recreationally by some, but in order to settle disputes between native American groups!

The importance of the Tsalagi/ Cherokee language to the tribespeople, and the devastating impact of COVID 19 in killing so many elders who are the keepers of that heritage in terms of fluency, also provided valuable information regarding which there needs to be greater awareness. Overall, worth buying for these aspects, and the story is told through utilising the language, so there is also that to recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vann is trying to play stickball, but he isn’t very good at it. He tries his best, and in the end his team wins, because he realizes that he is part of the team, and doesn’t play by himself, but plays with others.

The game they play is one that is familiar to the Chereokee children, and it helps them use their native language by speaking in it, while playing.

This is a story in English with words in Cherokee (Tsalagi), that you can get by inference. Or you can check the glossary in the back of the book, where we see the list of words. The author, a member of the Cherokee nation, emphasize how important it is that the language survives, and sport is one good way to keep the children using their language.

This book is for those children. It is good for non-indigenous people to read, but they might struggle with bits of it.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review. This book is being published the 5th of August 2024.

[Anna M (readwithanna) · Rating 2 out of 5]

What's great: the information (history of stickball and the Cherokee Nation and language), including actual Tsalagi (Cherokee) words/phrases (including spelling, English transliteration, pronunciation, and meaning), real pictures of Cherokee kids playing the sport, and page writeups about Stickball and the Language. There is also a great message about teamwork.

What I didn't like: I was confused during the narrative about what exactly was happening. I also had to flip to the back of the book frequently because it was bilingual and included Tsalagi (Cherokee) words - I think it would have been improved to add the definition to the bottom of the page where used, and still had the glossary at the back. I also hated the drawings - the disproportion of the children's bodies were distracting and the cover would have probably made me not pick it up. I wish the pictures were better because I think it is a good story and has a lot of good information.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've heard of 'stickball' but not this particular game important to the Cherokee nation. Traci Sorell tells the story of a challenge of a young boy, Vann, who loves playing but isn't so great at it! He soon learns that he can contribute to the game, with teamwork! For readers' knowledge, Sorell also includes that only boys use the sticks and play against girls, who are able to use their hands! The object is to throw the ball at a "fish" (a wooden carving nailed to a post). Cherokee words are sprinkled throughout with a glossary, real photos of the playing, and added info about stickball and language at the back. In his debut picture book, Joseph Erb's colorful and exciting illustrations help feel as if you're right there in the excitement of a stickball game!
Thanks to Charlesbridge for my copy!

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In CLACK, CLACK! SMACK! A CHEROKEE STICKBALL STORY by Traci Sorell, readers follow Vann & his team through a game of stickball. Vann isn’t the best player, but he finds a way to work with his teammates to help them win the game. The message of the importance of sportsmanship and teamwork resonates in this book highlighting a traditional Cherokee sport. The meaning of the Cherokee words that are interspersed through the text can be inferred by readers, but a glossary/pronunciation guide is provided at the end of the book. Additional information about the history of stickball and its role in Cherokee culture is included. The book’s high interest sports topic will provide an engaging way to introduce indigenous culture and traditions to young readers who may not be familiar with them.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with an eARC to read.

[Patricia N. McLaughlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this bilingual story, two teams of Cherokee children are playing a game of stickball, an ancient recreational sport that is commonly played among the Cherokee people. The story illustrates the importance of teamwork and the role of the game as a means of strengthening cultural identity, deepening their sense of community, and maintaining their connection to the ancestors. The artwork could do more to enhance the story’s message by including more tribal symbolism and evoking the presence of the ancestors rather than focusing solely on the game itself. End pages include more information about stickball and a note about the Cherokee language. A glossary with a pronunciation guide would have been a welcome addition, along with a note about the Cherokee people and a map of Oklahoma to show where Tahlequah, the capital of the Cherokee Nation, is located.

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clack, clack ! Smack! A Cherokee stick ball story

By Traci Sorell,Joseph Erb

The story of Cherokee stickball is interesting it shows the cooperation that is needed to survive. This book shows not only the support and community but the roles of individuals. The use of the Cherokee language in the story expans the use and provisions of expanding the use of the language.
After the pandemic it took desperate measures to safe the language with immunization and health care.
It's interesting that new methods needed to be provided for retaining the language since the creation of the symbology of the language in the 17th century.

[Ivy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows the story of Vann and his team as they play a game of stickball. Vann is worried because he is not as fast as the other players and missed and important shot in last week's game. Will Vann be able to help his team out to win the game? I loved how at the end of the book it includes a glossary of Cherokee words that were included in the story and an explanation of the game stickball. Everyone will learn something by reading this book. Highly recommend to kids who love to play sports.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherokee Stickball is not at all like LaCrosse, but the basis of teamwork is much the same.
A good book for children of any heritage to learn about people born in North America. For adults it is a small insight into another culture and some of its ways. It is written in an essentially bilingual format. I really appreciated the read.
The illustrations by Joseph Erb are fun, simple, brilliantly colorful, and instructive.
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your local public library!
I requested and received a free temporary e-book on Adobe Digital Editions from Charlesbridge via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a focus on a traditional Cherokee Stickball game and the story infuses Tsalagi (Cherokee) words and phrases throughout. The main character is worried that his size and slowness will lose the game for his team, like the last game they played. He listens to his coach and sets up another teammate to win the game for his team. Backmatter allows for more understanding with a glossary and an afterward by Sorrell. Though I have no Cherokee students, I think this book will appeal to my sport loving students!

[Danielle Mccoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a copy of this eBook from netGalley for a honest review.

I thought this was a beautifully written and illustrated picture book. I love that it used Cherokee words and had a glossary in the back with how to pronounce them. It is a great story about teamwork and friendship and not trying to win all the glory.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the information in this book, and the extra info at the back about stick ball and the Cherokee's, but the images were very off putting for me. I think it's worth a read and owning in a library system because of the lack of stories about this topic. But the images knocked this down to 3 stars for me.

[Bethe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vann wants to help his team win the stickball game, but how? Coach says work together. Native Cherokee language is sprinkled throughout, context clues help with understanding. A glossary and info on the language is included at the end, as well as info on the traditional game of stickball. Illustrations are energetic, if a little odd.

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about how competition can bring a group closer together. Stickball has been an important part of Cherokee culture; it was even used in another form that was called 'little war' as a way for Cherokee men to resolve disputes. This book is focused on a version of the game that boys play against girls. A wonderful introduction to this important and culturally meaningful game.

[Shawna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book to discuss with my class. It has good content, but it is hard to follow. It would definitely help to have some knowledge of the Cherokee people. I read it on Kindle and the format didn't match up well, so it was at times hard to read. I thought the pictures were cute and the kids loved them. I would put the definitions of the words in the front. This would help as your reading the book. I gave it 3 stars due to the fact that it is not always gramatical. If your reading to a class it will cause some grammar issues. OVerall very interesting and neat book.

[Erica Baxter · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple and quick story about a little known sport. The art was a bit too basic and somewhat off-putting, but I love seeing Indigenous cultures represented in literature.

Some of the Tsalagi (Cherokee) words are unclear within the context of the story; however, there is a handy glossary in the back that shows the Tsalagi syllabary, the English translation, the pronunciation, and the meaning.

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool illustrations and great backmatter

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sports story specific to the Cherokee nation that also includes lots of Tsalagi words. I liked the folk art, stylized illustrations.

[Robin Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful illustrations!

[Jaimee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fun Cherokee story about a sport many will recognize. All of the dialog is in the Cherokee language, but it has a glossary in the back of the book. I love books like this! Keep them coming!

[Kellee Moye · Rating 4 out of 5]

The onomatopoeias and action within this book keep the reader wanting to continue to see how everything pans out, and Vann is a character who you can’t help but root for. I also loved the information about stickball and the Tsalagi language that is found in the back matter.