This novella will teach elementary school-aged kids how to thrive not only in baseball but also in life.

Review

Join the McIntyre Manatees and their team captain, Luis, as they learn more about what makes a successful baseball team.

When Luis moved from Texas to Ohio, he had to leave beloved Coach Terry and his old team and join the McIntyre Manatees. The way Luis sees it, there are leaders, and there are followers, and he’s most definitely not a leader. So when coach Joe chose him as team captain, he was beyond hesitant. But Luis will learn what makes a team a team and, along the ride, face his biggest fears, including huge home runner Jimmie, who doesn’t seem friendly at all. 

This charming novella will teach little ones crucial life skills. As Luis, we all cram ourselves into tidy little boxes and seem very sure of what we are. He is a bit apprehensive and likes measurable things. But he will show us that exploring our hidden talents, while uncomfortable, can be enriching not only to us but also of service to others. Another fundamental lesson in this book is the balance between fun and hard work. In a culture that glorifies busyness and incessant hustle, it’s easy to forget to have fun and that fun, in fact, can enhance our performance. Compromising, forgiving, remaining positive, putting oneself in other’s shoes, and not judging people by appearances are lessons that will help young readers thrive and also make our world a kinder place. 

The author found a brilliant balance between cheerfulness and realism. As Coach Joe says, “Nobody likes winning more than me.” Don’t we all? But is it all about winning? And what is the best way to achieve what we set our minds to? Parents and caregivers will also appreciate the story’s lack of smartphones or screens. It was pretty refreshing to see kids ring their friends’ doorbells to talk to them, and it might teach them different forms of human contact. 

The length (a little over a hundred pages) and the accessible vocabulary make Building a Team: A Baseball Buddies Story by Aaron Derr ideal for elementary school kids. The fun illustrations by Gary LaCoste and fabulous overall design will catch young readers’ attention. Furthermore, the author successfully uses reverse chronology to grab the reader’s attention right from page one.

Some terms can be confusing for people who aren’t too sporty, such as myself. Innings and fielders fly right over my head. This is a minor hindrance. Many little ones are, in fact, baseball enthusiasts. Baseball is, according to a study from The Aspen Institute, the second most popular sport for kids ages 6 to 12. For those who, like me, aren’t much into team sports, this is an excellent opportunity to expose themselves to a different activity. As Luis taught us, there’s much to be gained from stepping out of our comfort zones. Furthermore, we shouldn’t be deterred from exposing kids to strange vocabulary. It’s a fantastic opportunity to teach them deductive skills. Inferring the meaning of unknown words from the surrounding context is an essential skill for future readers. 

Building a Team: A Baseball Buddies Story will not only charm little ones and adults alike but also remind us all how to make our world a more fun and kinder place. 

About the Author

Author Aaron Derr is situated not far from Dallas, Texas. Having worked for firms like Red Chair Press, TIME For Kids, Sports Illustrated for Kids, and the Boy Scouts of America, he has over 20 years of expertise in writing and editing books and periodicals for children of all ages. In his spare time, Aaron likes to watch and play sports with his wife and two children in between his reading and writing pursuits. His home team has taught him a lot about teamwork and being a good sport.

Book Details

• Title: Building a Team: A Baseball Buddies Story
• Author: Aaron Derr
• Genre: Children’s Fiction
• Theme: Sports, Team-building, Friendship, Leadership, Baseball
• Publication Date: April 2, 2024
• ISBN or ASIN: B0CN4XRY2X
• Number of Pages: 146
• Minimum Audience Age: 6

Book Themes

(Note: 0=none, 1=a few, 2=considerable, 3=pronounced, 4=excessive)

• Sexual themes: 0
• Religious themes: 0
• Violence, self-harm, etc.: 0
• Crude language, expletives, swearing, etc.: 0
• Other adult themes: 0

Children’s Book Features

• Good role models for younger ones: Yes
• Moral values: Yes
• Good social manners: Yes
• Age-appropriate language and topics: Yes
• Age-appropriate illustrations: Yes
• Gained the approval of a licensed educator or professionals in a relevant field: Not specified by the author
• Based on scientifically-proven data or similar information: Not specified by the author
• Produced through industry-standard research processes: Not specified by the author

Rating

• Content: 5 stars
• Writing Style: 5 stars
• Appeal to Target Audience: 5 stars
• Uniqueness: 5 stars
• Editing: 4 stars
• Other factors: 5 stars
• Overall: 4.8 out of 5

Links

• Get a copy of the book at Amazon.
• View the book on Goodreads.
• Get a copy of the book at Booktopia.
• Get a copy of the book at Barnes and Noble.

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