Rooting for Rafael Rosales

by Kurtis Scaletta

Rafael has dreams. Every chance he gets he plays in the street games trying to build his skills, get noticed by scouts, and someday play Major League Baseball. Maya has worries. The bees are dying all over the world, and the company her father works for is responsible, making products that harm the environment. Follow Rafael and Maya in a story that shifts back and forth in time and place, from Rafael s neighborhood in the Dominican Republic to present-day Minnesota, where Maya and her sister are following Rafael s first year in the minor leagues. In their own ways, Maya and Rafael search for hope, face difficult choices, and learn a secret the same secret that forever changes how they see the world."

Genres: Middle Grade, Sports, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Baseball, Ebooks

288 pages, Hardcover

First published April 17, 2017

About the author

Kurtis Scaletta is the author of several books for young readers including Mudville, which was short listed for the Mark Twain Readers Award, and The Tanglewood Terror, which was a finalist for the Minnesota Book Award. He lives in Minneapolis with wife and son and some cats.

Reviews

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to an advance reader's copy provided in exchange for an honest review, I was thrilled to read this newest middle-grade novel by Kurtis Scaletta. He creates two story strands with different points of view in different time periods (Rafael, the baseball player, from the Dominican Republic as a boy and as a young man; Maya, a young tween from Minneapolis), and weaves them together seamlessly. Now, it's a known fact that I'm a baseball fan. But I was delighted to fall in love with the sport all over again following Maya, who knows nothing about baseball when the story begins. You don't have to like baseball at all to understand the story, though, and you'll appreciate how this book moves along at a much faster clip than most 9-inning games. ;-) Maya's passion for saving bees has contemporary real-world connections that most everyone can appreciate, and you'll soon be one of her fans as she roots for Rafael Rosales. Kurtis has hit another home run, friends.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 stars. The story of two sisters and their love of baseball, Maya who's cheering for an underdog minor league player (Rafael Rosales) from the Dominican Republic and older sister Grace who wants to grow up to be a sports journalist.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are two kids with big dreams -- one in the Dominican Republic, one in Minnesota. Though their stories are a world apart, they converge in their desire to excel and make a difference.

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review copy provided by NetGalley

The story of Rafael Rosales is really the story of two characters, Rafael and Maya, and two times, Rafael's boyhood in the Dominican Republic and present-day Minnesota. It's certainly not a typical format for a book, this one pulls it off nicely. At first, the jumping back and forth can feel a bit jarring to the reader, but the flow back and forth starts to make sense, as events from one time and place compliment and inform events from the other time and place.

It also takes the story on from the viewpoint of a character who is not a baseball fanatic, which will be helpful to readers who are not as interested in the game of baseball. For though this is a baseball book, it's not a story that centers on a game of baseball. Rather, that is simply the common element that exists throughout and the connective tissue between the different times and characters. Readers will discover more about the characters' lives, ambitions, and Rafael's hardships through the reading than anything that is particularly baseball centered.

I honestly loved this book. It was one of those stories that I couldn't stop reading once I had started. I think it might be a book for the modern era that we can compare to In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson from decades ago. It has the same unexpected storytelling angle that made that book so magical years ago. I look forward to adding this one to my shelves when it becomes available and hope it makes as big a splash as I expect it to.

[Brandy]

Once again, Scaletta has written a book that makes me give a damn about baseball.

That said, I liked the current story better--the girl struggling for her family to understand and respect her environmentalist ways, her desire for a pollinator garden, even though her dad works for one of those companies that makes terrible pesticides. Her story is balanced by the story of kids growing up in the Dominican Republic, dreaming of a future playing professional baseball.

It's not about sports. It's not about family struggles. It's about kids who want their lives to have meaning, to make their lives count for something. It's about kids growing up with unfairness and working within those confines to make something fair. It gives kids the credit they deserve for being people, with thoughts and brains and desires, not just goofy smiles and catch phrases.

Copy provided via Netgalley.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I share the opinion of many reviewers, that I would have enjoyed a whole book about Rafael and the Dominican baseball recruiting system, or a book about Maya and her personal growth. The two together started off well, but by the end I wanted to sink my teeth into one story or the other, and I cared much more about Rafael than Maya, so that's the story I'd like to read.

I chose this book off the shelf because I like when authors research and bring to life a small pocket of information that is new to me. The author succeeded in writing a well-researched book on the Dominican baseball story, and in bringing that to life.

His development of Maya is less appealing. Maya is an adolescent who is exploring her own beliefs and moral code. Her passion for the environment soon becomes active and vocal. She carefully forms her opinions and grows throughout the book in maturity about how to express them. That's the positive view.

However, her story is marred for me by a couple of small details.

Despite the fact that Maya and I share similar passions, I was put off by her self-righteous attitude and cliched speech about those passions. Even within the book, her family is annoyed by her constant thinking, so this is meant to be part of her character. But it grew wearisome for me, especially as I wanted to cheer for her as the heroine.

Parents should be aware that Maya begins a rich and meaningful internet pen-pal relationship with a stranger she meets on a blog. Early in their correspondence, the stranger encourages Maya to feel free to tell her everything, because she has time to listen. It sounds like a red flag, but fortunately for Maya, both characters are telling the truth about their identities. I'd certainly want to caution my own children that this is fiction.

A final detail I can't help but mention: As Maya dreams of her future, "she didn't want to hurt her mom's feelings.... But she wanted something more than a house and kids." Feminists in America have struggled for years, and continue to struggle, so that women can have the option to pursue any dream we choose. There is no place in contemporary children's literature for belittling the dream of raising a family, just as we would never belittle any other dream.

As for Rafael, his dream of baseball and his family's reaction to that dream are treated more evenly. His relationships with his parents deepen as they each consider their own childhood dreams and what became of them, and they watch Rafael pursue his.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a swell book. Told in alternating chunks it traces the young lives of two very different individuals who turn out to cross paths. Rafael is a young Dominican in love with baseball and determined to whatever it takes to be great. He is also kind, sensitive and full of integrity. Maya, who lives in the twin cities, is a worrier, concerned with environmental degradation, driven by a desire to help out the underdog. Both stories start when the characters are eleven but, Maya's chapters take place when Rafael is far older and vying for a spot on a Minnesota minor league team.

As someone responsible for our school's summer reading list I am always on the lookout for sports books. Rooting for Rafael Rosales is the proverbial unicorn. Baseball is a central element. Kids who love baseball will not feel gypped. (Though they may wish for a few more dramatic play by plays) Characters are more than fully developed. I rarely read a book where all the primary and ancillary characters are as rounded and real as those found here. There are siblings, friends, coaches, parents, even a little girl and her chicken have complete lives with back story, present and future. This is a book that can appeal to boys and girls, sport lovers and those who want emotion driven plots. It is great if your primary concern is what does it take to be the best. It will also satisfy those driven to make the world a better place.

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a little while to get into this book. The way the two stories intertwined was very interesting. I definitely felt more engaged in Maya's chapters than in Rafael's, but that may just have been because her POV is more familiar to me. Also, I'm not a huge baseball fan. I hope this would have equal appeal to boys and girls. I just had boys asking me the other day for chapter books about baseball, so I'm inclined to purchase a copy for my library.

ETA: I forgot to note that there are some moral dilemmas presented here, and Maya does make a poor choice in communicating (quite a bit of personal information) with a stranger via e-mail. So this might be a good readaloud to promote discussion.

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley*

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a story of two passionate, driven kids a generation apart. One a boy determined to be a a professional baseball player, the other a girl driven to save the Earth including the bee population who develops a love for baseball and hopeful player Rafael. I enjoyed everything about both stories except I didnt like Rafael. He was selfish and whiny, I was more interested in all the other DR ball players. I also didnt understand the "secret" storyline and felt it was unnecessary to the story. Overall a fun baseball summer read for kids.

[Martha Meyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this story with its dual parts: one about Rafael Rosales growing up in the Dominican Republic and the other about Maya living in the Twin cities caring about bees and native grasses. I loved how their lives were never supposed to intersect but then -- they did, in an amazing, charming, challenging way! Kurtis Scarletta handles the plot twists masterfully; early on I was convinced to leave myself in this capable writer's hands and let the story take me where he wanted me to go. One of our jobs as humans is to give each other hope -- that's what this story is about. A great middle grade novel just waiting to be discovered by boys who like baseball, girls who love "native forbs" and everyone in between!

[Carli · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for my second book of this snowy spring day. The author expertly weaves together the stories of Rafael Rosales, a (fictional, of course) aspiring Major Leaguer as he grows up in the Dominican Republic, and Maya, a girl living in Milwaukee. Maya’s discovery of Rafael at a minor league game leads her to follow his quest for a roster spot in the Majors; meanwhile, the reader learns about Rafael’s childhood in the D.R. The author packs so much into this story, and it all works. Highly recommended for middle grades readers.

[Traci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good for kids who like baseball, are concerned about the environment, or like a character driven story.
The plot may be a little slow moving for some kids but I think the strength of the novel lies in the characters who exhibit traits like integrity, resilience, and a positive work ethic. Those who stick with it will find positive role models and will also learn about day to day life in the Dominican Republic.

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

So many winning elements: summer, baseball, sibling stress, challenging parental positions, and more.
The complexity of the book makes it an appealing story and excellent teaching tool, since it utilizes multiple points of view, locations, time periods, cultures, and eventual intersections of the many elements. This highly readable story allows young readers to stretch their mastery of complex plot and character structures while unfolding science and ethical questions.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good story, or stories, rather, that really don't have a lot in common. Maya's worried about the future of the planet & the bees. Rafael wants to become a baseball star. When Maya learns about his underdog status, she attaches her hopes for the bees to his continued success. The connection should have been stronger, or this should have been two separate books.

[Lucas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book. Telling a story from two different characters and across a few years difference between the two story lines left me hooked and turning the pages long after I should have stopped.

The real question is...will there be a sequel with as many story lines as there are at the end that could continue in a second book.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Need to think how to rate this one. 3.5 rounding to 4 because it was pretty sweet.

It was good in a quiet way, I liked the family dynamics and despite totally not being a sports fan the sports bits were fine too. And the different views on integrity and hope were handled well.

[Patsy Bishop · Rating 3 out of 5]

Might be good for 4th - 7th. Sometimes difficult to follow the plot. Couple grammatical errors.

[Dolly]

interesting quotes:

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[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this baseball story as it touches on sisters, family dynamics, technology and even bees. Didn't hurt that writer wove in Minnesota Twins a bit here and there! Bravo!

[Alana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet story that connects two kids across time, distance and cultures through baseball. Charlie loved it! This is the first we've read from this author and we will definitely seek out others.

[madi grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

school read

[C. L. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovesong to baseball, both those who play it and those who watch it. Of all the delicate points -- family relationships, integrity, etc. -- the one it hits most beautifully is how baseball, to real fans, can be that place we put our hopes and dreams when our "real" hopes and dreams are too complicated to unravel. One of the best sports books I've read in ages. Highly recommended.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[T.J. Burns]

I received a copy of this book from Albert Whitman & Company via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Virginia McGee Butler · Rating 3 out of 5]

What could a young Dominican baseball fan have in common with an American daughter of an executive of a large corporation?

Rafael’s story is told over time beginning with the first chapter “Rafael, Many Years Ago” and following his goal of making a major-league baseball team in the United States. He and many of his peers see this as a way out of poverty. In the early days, he rescues a girl’s chicken, a girl who lives in destitution greater than his own.

Maya’s story begins in the present day during Rafael’s first year in the minor leagues. Her activism to save the bees in the environment runs afoul of the pesticide manufactured by her father’s company. Her fondness for plants loved by bees like thistles and dandelions that her sister calls “weeds” triggers her explanation, “A weed is a plant you don’t want. I want these, so they aren’t weeds.” Her love of baseball and a post on her sister’s blog lead to a friendship with the girl named Bijou who owned the rescued chicken and a link to Rafael.

The difficulty of life in the Dominican Republic and cautionary practices as Rafael pursues his baseball dream contrast with the affluence and moral dilemma for Maya as she decides how far to take her passion when her father’s job is at stake. I found the move back and forth between the two characters easy enough, but was a bit disconcerted for a while by the time with Rafael’s taking place over years while Maya’s stayed in the present.

Ultimately, there is a secret both Rafael and Maya share that could wreak havoc in the lives of people they care about. Right and wrong are not as clear as they should be. This is a good middle grade read with a nice window into the world of aspiring baseball players common to the Dominican Republic.

[Zach Koenig · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are a lot of reasons I was drawn to this book:

-It is primarily set in my home state (Minnesota!)
-It constantly references my favorite baseball team (the Minnesota Twins!)
-It very much is centered on my favorite sport (baseball!)

Ultimately, though, what really stands out about “Rooting For Rafael Rosales” was the endearing duel-narrative story.

For a basic plot summary, this novel tells two stories that somewhat converge in the end:

-Rafael Rosales is growing up in the Dominican Republic, where baseball is often the “only way out” to a better, more prosperous life. He isn’t the best or most prestigious prospect, but he works the hardest and is very serious about making it to the major leagues.
-Eight years beyond the Rafael timeline, the narrative lights upon Maya in Minnesota, a pre-teen girl who worries about most things (specifically the fall in the bee population). Maya’s sister, Grace, is a rabid baseball fan with a blog she regularly updates, and through this love of baseball introduces Maya to a new Twins prospect…named Rafael Rosales.

Duel-narrative books are a favorite of mine, and this one knows how to use that storytelling format well. About the only criticism I have is that the ending (which I won’t spoil here) may not be as “revolutionary” (in terms of both narratives finally converging) as other books of this ilk, but both narratives are so interesting on their own that it doesn’t feel like a letdown. Basically, this isn’t the type of book that requires a “shock ending” to be a solid read. The stories and characters do that well enough on their own.

Baseball fans in particular will love how the book really captures the essence of certain aspects of the sport. I could identify with many of the characters’ experiences as a huge baseball fan myself, further helping me to become enveloped by the narrative and its characters. There is enough “non-baseball stuff” in the book to appeal to a wider audience too, but make no mistake that sports fans will (and should) eat this one up.

Overall, I very much enjoyed “Rooting For Rafael Rosales” because of its duel-narrative structure, MN/baseball focus, and clarity of story/characters. Even as an adult, I had no problem slipping into the YA world where the novel primarily takes place. I know I am biased (because of the baseball & Minnesota connections), but this is maybe the best work of YA fiction I’ve read so far this year.

[Jenn Bishop · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved everything about this book, everything! So many sports books are centered on playing the sport, but I love how with this book we see both sides: both Rafael's journey to playing professional baseball, starting as a kid in the Dominican Republic, as well as two sisters in the Twin Cities, the wanna be sports journalist with her own blog, Grace, and her younger sister Maya, whose own growing interest in the sport, started by rooting for a player in a major slump, takes her by surprise. Scaletta does a great job of weaving the two threads together in surprising and moving ways. I love the way he captures the way that blogging can be a way for teens to connect with other people who share their interests, and all of the positive things that can come from writing for a wider audience. I also love the way he captures the way I fell into a love of baseball, somewhat haphazardly, and how that grew as I became more invested in the trajectories of particular players. Young baseball fans will find much to enjoy in this book -- as this 30-something baseball fanatic did.

[Capitola Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

a great double story, well told

[Jessica Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book could not possibly be more geared to my interests, so I may be a little biased. I absolutely loved it, I loved both stories, identified with the characters, love the multiculturalism, love all of the baseball. Mostly I loved how the story explained how one emotional connection to a player can make you love a sport forever. The ending is left very open-ended, or I would have given it 5 stars. As I was reading the last chapter, I KNEW there weren't enough pages left to provide a proper resolution. Still a very worthwhile read for any kid (or adult!).

[Rebecca Petruck]

An engaging, thoughtful, and accessible look at baseball players from the Dominican Republic, what it means for the players, their families, and their country.