MoonBall

by Jane Yolen, Greg Couch (Illustrator)

When Danny plays baseball he always strikes out, but one night in a dream, he plays baseball with the moon and the "all-stars" and hits the home run of his dreams.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Baseball, Sports, Fantasy

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Jane Yolen is a novelist, poet, fantasist, journalist, songwriter, storyteller, folklorist, and children’s book author who has written more than three hundred books. Her accolades include the Caldecott Medal, two Nebula Awards, the World Fantasy Award, three Mythopoeic Awards, the Kerlan Award, two Christopher Awards, and six honorary doctorate degrees from colleges and universities in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Born and raised in New York City, the mother of three and the grandmother of six, Yolen lives in Massachusetts and St. Andrews, Scotland.

Reviews

[James Lackey · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the concept of the story is fun and exciting, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense and it feels as though there was no satisfying pay off at the end. The kid gets called names after striking out at his baseball game. When he goes to bed that night, he dreams that he is playing baseball the planets and constellations of the night sky. He hits a home run and he goes back to bed; the end. I would have at least liked to see him use this newfound confidence at one of his real life baseball games but I guess. Not only does the story confuse the reader but the finale doesn't really feel like a finale at all.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 1 out of 5]

What a gentle story about great tip for better baseball. I don't how this boys team lets other people treat this boy meanly. Teammates should stick up for their teammates. And I don't like how no one says anything encouraging to this boy when he is having a hard time. Teammates should encourage each other.

[Jane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is why LB is not allowed to pick the books. Her choices kind of suck ...

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

After striking out (again) at the end of the game, Danny goes home and dreams of playing ball with Andromeda, Aries, Regis and Ursa. And, hitting cleanup, he hits a home run off the moon.

Unusual.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moon Ball, by Jane Yolen is a story about a boy is not as good as he would like to be at baseball. He has never had a hit. After he loses another big game, he goes home and sulks in his bedroom. As he is there, he end up playing baseball with the star... no, not famous baseball players, the actual stars. It is in this baseball game that Danny learns some lessons on baseball.
I felt this story was lacking a bit about being able to transfer his new confidence and ability into the real world. I did like the references to the different constellations, and I would recommend reading the book to a class as an introduction or review on the different constellations. I think the appropriate age level for this book would be 2-3 graders. I think they would be able to understand how Danny is feeling and how also get the science references at the same time.
I really enjoyed the pictures of this book. The pictures are done on museum board and with liquid acrylic paint. The pictures are just beautiful, and it is a very creative idea to have a baseball game in the night sky. The mood is also captured very well in the paintings, with the blue sky, but the bright spots of the stars.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Moon Ball by Jane Yolen is a picture book I wanted to use for my astronomy project. Unfortunately it's no longer in print so it didn't qualify for it.

In Moon Ball Danny plays little league. He desperately wants to learn how to hit the ball but hasn't had any luck. After striking out again at a big game, he's ready to give up. That night he's visited by the All Stars and challenged to a game that takes place in outer space against actual constellations and other heavenly bodies.

The book is a sweet wish fulfillment story that blends a lesson on astronomy with one on base ball.

[Amber · Rating 2 out of 5]

2nd-3rd

Danny a young boy struggles at baseball. All he wishes for is to hit one ball. He imagines of a place up in space where he can hit all the balls thrown to him. His imagination helps him gain the confidence he needs to bring back to his team the next game.
Students need to learn to believe in themselves. his is a good book to read to a class full of sports fans on how to believe in your self.

[Bvlmc Buchanan Verplanck Elementary School · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teased and know as the worst baseball player on his team, a young boy returns home after striking out as the last batter in the last inning and costing his team any chance of a comeback. Not wanting to talk with anyone about the game he returns home and drifts off to sleep in his room where he dreams he plays baseball with the stars and planets. Despite the heckles of the planets, the stars provide him with a batting tip and the encouragement he needs to hit the game winning home run.

[Jennafer Haskell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a sweet story of a little boy who, after losing the big game, retreats to his room and takes solace in the stars. During his musings he imagines himself floating into the sky to play a rousing game of baseball with his star teammates against the big, mean moon. He continues to struggle until his celestial coach reminds him of the advice his aunt gave him, and ends up winning the big game. This book teaches a good lesson for facing your obstacles and visualizing your goals.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was wonderfully inspiring and I can't wait until I have someone specific to buy it for! The illustrations were beautiful and the idea of baseball in the night sky was magnificent. Make it a movie.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book made no sense and was very boring. My son picked it up at random from our local library and I wish I had looked it over before taking it home. Some kid really sucks at baseball so goes and plays with the stars. It was just stupid and boring.

[Vandy]

boy - baseball- struggling with emotions...not able to play well...etc

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really pretty illustrations! I'm not a big baseball fan, so I think some of this story was lost on me, but the kids enjoyed it quite a bit. I just liked looking at the pictures!

[Efundunke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Used to teach personification and distinguish between non-fiction and fiction.

[Mckinley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If wishes were dreams...

[Hira · Rating 5 out of 5]

onomatopoeia