Koertge, R. (2002). Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick.
Brief Annotation: Kevin loves baseball, more than life itself, but when a case of mononucleosis prevents him from going to school, hanging out with his friends and playing ball, he feels lost. Secretly borrowing a poetry book from his dad, Kevin begins to study the various poetic structures and tries his hand at writing poems. He discovers that through poetry he is able to gain insight into his life, the death of his mom and the game he loves.
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: Grade 6 through 9
Readers who will like this: Young readers who enjoy contemporary realistic sports fiction, young readers who would benefit from a poetic verse novel, young readers who enjoy stories written from the perspective of a young adult
Response/Rating (1-4): 4, Written as a verse novel, this wonderful book tells the story of a young ball player who finds his true self through his poetry. With its candid and often humorous view of life, the book sends a positive message about the power of writing. It would make a great addition to a junior high classroom library.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever discovered something about yourself completely by surprise, when you least expected it?
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