Week 6

Week 6: Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy by Phil Bildner

Book Summary:

During a hitting slump, Shoeless Joe seeks the help of his friend, Ol’ Charlie Ferguson, “the finest batsmith in all of South Carolina.” After a couple of tries, Ol’ Charlie makes a bat that ends Shoeless Joe’s hitting slump. With each career change, Shoeless Joe finds he needs Ol' Charlie's expert advice on bats to help him overcome his fear of hitting slumps.

My Impressions:

Many of us have superstitions or rituals to help deal with anxiety, but athletes have some of the most interesting. Shoeless Joe’s bats were fine; it was his confidence that needed repair. Everyone needs an Ol’ Charlie to reassure and push him or her in the right direction. The part I found stereotypical was when he asks Ol ‘Charlie to make a dark, scary bat and then names it Black Betsy.

Professional Review:

“Rookie Bildner hits a home run here, zeroing in on the bat as just the right lens through which to view his picture book biography. He strews the conversational prose with appealing colloquialisms in a catchy refrain ("sure as the sky is blue and the grass is green"). Payne's (The Remarkable Farkle McBride) portraits take on a tall-tale quality suffused with nostalgia; his strong-featured characters offer a riveting blend of humor and gravity. An afterword fills in the details of Jackson's life and career, including the 1919 Black Sox scandal.” From Publishers Weekly

Library Uses:

Create a bulletin board that displays rituals of famous athletes, authors, and politicians. Include Shoeless Joe’s care for his bats and the insistence they weigh 48 ounces. Ask coaches, athletes, and students to submit their rituals and display them as well. Michael Jordan wore his college shorts under his Bulls uniform, Serena William’s bounces the ball five times for the first serve and two for the second, and Toni Morrison drinks a cup of coffee as she watches the approaching light of day when she writes.

APA Reference: 

Bildner, P. (2002). Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy. New York, Ny: Simon & Schuster.

Children’s review. (2002, January 7). [Review of the book Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy by P.        
         Bildner]. Publishers Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com/Shoeless-Black-Betsy-Phil- 
         Bildner/dp/0689829132/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid= 1344533832&sr=8-
         1&keywords=shoeless+joe+and+black+betty.