Felipe Alou: Desde Los Valles a Las Montanas

by Carol Gaab

baseball book

Genres: Spanish Literature, School, Nonfiction, Biography

83 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS COUNTS!!

MUY BIENNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN

[Nathan · Rating 5 out of 5]

FELIPE ALOU VIVE POR TODO #JUEGAJUSTICIA

[Kenny Kidd · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mean it’s a second-to-third-grade-level book intended to help children work on their Spanish comprehension, so I can’t feel any real satisfaction in having read it quite easily and quickly (especially when full conversations in Spanish still need to be quite slow and I have a whole lotta trouble with the subjunctive tense/certain vocab still), but good stuff!

Didn’t know the story of the Alou family, nor much Dominican Republican history, and this was a great primer for that. Great chapter about burgers, possibly America’s best and least harmful creation

[Nabeel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Matty Alou and Rafael Trujillo are amazing and really exuberate creativity.

[Ace Marquise · Rating 2 out of 5]

A short summary of this book. This book talks about the journey of a baseball player named Felipe Alou. Felipe Alou Face many obstacles such as corrupt government, Poverty, Racism and Language barrier. But these obstacles didn't stop him from becoming a great baseball player. And fulfilling his dream of supporting his family and bringing them out of poverty.

In the beginning of the book, it sets the setting of his homeland. Explaining how corrupt the president and how the people suffered because of it. From massacre to economic inflation. The people faced sever oppression. That also affected him and his family. His family had a disadvantage because they were a large family, six to be exact. Near the end of the first section, it emphasizes his qualities. For example, he's smart, athletic, and talented. The book is showing how he has potential. After being in the javelin throwing team and Track running team. His team didn't win any medals. So, the Dominican Republic president made the players train more and intensely. To eliminate any distractions the president threatens them that if they were to talk to any girls they will get dropped from the team. Since he was focused on becoming better that wasn't a problem. During that time. he was told to try out baseball which he excels at. Before he knew it the coaches made him practice two sports at time before fully switching to baseball. After a while playing in the baseball team internationally. Recruiters spotted his talent. Even though he got great offers he reluctantly accepted because it was a decision that would change his future. He said goodbye to his path of becoming a doctor and left to America to play professionally.

After he arrived in America, he faced new obstacles that he never faced before. Discrimination, Language barrier, and segregation. It was really interesting to know what challenges he needed to face because of his skin color. In the MLB Felipe wasn’t very popular. A few reasons are because he couldn't communicate with the reporter and because they consider him black. When he trains with team, he gets segregated to the negros. The white train somewhere else. He mentioned that he had to sit at the back of the bus as well. In addition, of laws being unfair. His baseball career had a rocky start because he couldn't understand the situation because of the language barrier. In addition to having his team eliminated from the league because they were black people in it. At that point all he was, was a benchwarmer. But when he got into the field his talent shine and finally was able to earn money. Although he was a great player that didn’t exempt him from discrimination outside the field. His talent shows when he played more games so when was climbing up the league the sport discrimination grows less. In addition, to have enough money to eat his favorite food, the hamburger. On the other end he still suffers from decimation outside the field. Is hard to imagine how different those two worlds are. The first world where he is respected and the second world where he is your average black guy.

For the next few years after playing brilliantly and becoming a famous baseball player his brother’s joined his team. Both of Felipe's brothers were good. However, it didn’t last forever because Fellipe was traded to a different team. But he still played for almost 2 decades. Near the end of his career, he suffered the loss of his son and had a hard time. After a while he got over his loss and moved forward. Yet, another tough time came, he had to retire. This was hard for Felipe which I can understand. It's hard to find something else to do for the rest of your life and quit doing the thing you love most. So, after he quit, he became a manager for baseball teams, so he still had some connection to the game. But he really wanted to play. Near the end of his career it wasn’t a really happy ending. At least he was able to coach his son in baseball as well. He says in the end of the book that he feels fulfilled so that is a positive. This book really conveyed the challenges Fellipe had to face during his stages of life. From childhood to adulthood to retirement. His talent saved him from many bad situations. It would be rare to see someone else like him. Because he only made this far because of talent. It was a ok book so I rate it 2 stars.




Quotes

“La discriminacion era detestable”

“Después de uno días, el Mayor Vicioso llamó a un chico del equipo:
-Hablaste con una chica ayer? - le pregunto irritado.
- No, Senor. No hable con ninguna chica - le respondió el atleta nervioso
- Mentira! - le gritó el mayor furioso y al instante, expulsó al atleta de equipo “

“Después de unas horas, Felipe comprendió la situación: el equipo tenía muchos juegos en otras partes de Louisiana y no iba a regresar a lake charles por nueve días. Otra vez, Felipe Sintió mucho estrés”

“Un compañero blanco del equipo, que se llamaba Bill Russell, quería que Felipe entrara con el equipo”

“Por fin! Mi primera hamburguesa.”

“No estuve amargado en el pasado y no estoy amargado ahora.”

[Hopper Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the book Felipe Alou Desde Los Valles a las Montañas you get to heat the true story of Felipe's career through baseball and the struggles he went through to make it in America. This book deals with the issue of racism and how the barrier of language makes the move to America become a struggle for foreigners.
The book Felipe Alou begins with discussing the situation of the Dominican Republic and it dictator at the time. People of the DR did not like this dictator and that included our main character Felipe Alou. Felipe our main character is amazing is an amazing baseball character he only speaks Spanish and he is black. Felipe takes the risk and decides to escape the DR to find a baseball opportunity in America. When Felipe arrives is the United States he is met with some tough realization that he doesn't even understand. The first issue Felipe doesn't understand English, he struggles to communicate with those around him, and it's a challenge to work out getting signed to a baseball team. The other challenge Felipe faces is racism. Throughout the book Felipe doesn't really understand why people treat him so poorly, he is constantly mistreated and Felipe can't comprehend why.
I definitely do recommend this book but not for the reason that is normal. The storytelling is ok but the real value I found in the book was the fact that it was written in Spanish. This book came in at a Spanish level a little over my head but as I read I really started to pick things up and began to comprehend it more easily. I would definitely recommend this book to anybody in the Spanish 1-2 looking for something to expand their Spanish fluidity and vocabulary.

[Anjali Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Felipe Alou Desde Los Valla a Las Montanas by Carol Gaab is a book in Spanish about a baseball player. His name is Felipe Alou and he's from the Dominican Republic. He has an interesting journey with many ups and downs and it is about how he reached his goal on being a baseball player.

This book is basically about Felipe Alou becoming a baseball player. He really wants to be a baseball player, but his dad wants him to be a doctor because they are poor. He works hard and soon gets accepted into a league. From there he starts his journey and goes to the US into bigger leagues. He faces some segregation, but his life gets better later on.

I recommend this book to everyone because it is a great biography. It is in Spanish so for people who are learning Spanish, it is a great resource. It is also amazing for all athletes who love baseball. Overall I think I recommend this book to everyone.

[Collin Schock · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. I read it in Spanish class so it was very cool to read a book in Spanish. The book is about Philipe Alou and his journey through 1920's racism He encounters many problems through his career that include homesickness and racism. In the end, it all works out and he plays on the San Francisco Giants with his brother. However, he gets moved to the Milwaukee team. He talks about his struggles as a new American, and racism. Felipe eventually becomes a coach and his legacy lives on. I gave this book a 2 out of 5 stars because it was good, but in Spanish and harder to read.

[Cailin Leithead · Rating 1 out of 5]

Would rate it a half star but that’s not an option. It was good for beginners of Spanish (like me) but still waayyy too repetitive. I read it in class last year and never finished it and I finished it in a different class this year and I’m so grateful to have been done. I understood more this time so I guess my Spanish is improving. I reccomend for beginners of Spanish but having to do so much work with the book kind of took the fun out of reading like school often does with reading in class :(

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I must say I'm pretty proud of myself. Yup, it's in Spanish and I'm definitely NOT proficient in Spanish... but after dusting off the cobwebs in Spanish, I was able to read and appreciate this great little biography. I learned a lot... and even went and looked up Mr. Rojas and some of teammates to learn more.

[Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 A fun story about a historical figure I wasn't familiar. Carol Gaab does a great job with compelling material that is fun to read for proficient Spanish-speakers, but accessible for lower-level learners as well.

[Grace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiene que ver con los deportes -- algo importante para mis estudiantes chicos. También se trata del racismo -- algo súper importante para la historia de los Estados Unidos. Me gustó el libro más que imaginaba. Me gustó. Excelente.

[kai · Rating 3 out of 5]

read in spanish for "reading in spanish"
meant for spanish learners which is awesome
was able to read and understand most without having to translate
enjoyed that it was not just about baseball but about felipe's life and the discrimination he endured

[Denny Troncoso · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tremenda historia de Felipe Alou un gran pelotero Dominicano. Great story about a great Dominican baseball player. Short read. He explains his experience with racism when he arrived in the 1960s. A very real and rough story. Great read for beginner Spanish.

[Kim Christner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book. My most difficult Spanish book so far. Alou came to America to play baseball without knowing any English. He faced discrimination and racism. He stayed focused on his sport and thrived. He found the American dream. Lots of new Spanish words.

[Kaelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great read! It really helped me to practice reading and understanding Spanish and I loved the story too!!

A great read for anyone learning Spanish! (for more early intermediate level Spanish readers though :) :)

(I am in Spanish 3 at school; this book was for that class)

[Becca da Romance Queen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda hated this book, not gonna lie. I had to read this for French class and, while it was fairly easy to understand, I felt that it dragged on and I just didn't feel like writing chapter summaries for it anymore. Overall, a good book because it has a lesson, but I didn't really enjoy it.

[Matt A. Morstadt · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book for was a bit difficult to understand but then again it was in Spanish. so i think if i understood the book i would have liked it more.

[John Starr · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book but not the best one I’ve read

[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Spanish 2 Class read. Okay

[Maria Dymek · Rating 3 out of 5]

counting it even though i read it in spanish

[Callum McAllister · Rating 4 out of 5]

Une bonne livre pour une personne qui est en train d'apprendre la langue français.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book to teach in Spanish II thus far.

[Talia]

for school

[Katie]

I am a Felipe Aloud stan.

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

FELIPEEEEEEEE ALOUUUUUUUUHHUUU MY KING

[Nate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read in Spanish class

[Whitney Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread this for my masters project. Created a mini unit to teach this to my Spanish 2s before they dive into Free Choice Reading. Excited to read this story to my students with all of the culture and history it has! As a bonus, it gives me opportunities to talk about baseball/softball and share about my trips to DR with CU softball team!

[Wheatley · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a Spanish teacher, I chose this book to enhance our unit on the Dominican Republic and baseball. This is an easy read for students, includes illustrations, and the audio CD narrator speaks clearly and at a comprehensible pace. This book also reflects Mr. Alou's struggles in the US with civil rights-era racism. Lots to talk about as the class reads. The supplemental materials came in handy as well. Alou's life is remarkable!