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One-Handed Catch
Not even losing his hand can keep Norm from trying out for the baseball team
What would life be like with only one hand? That's exactly what eleven-year-old Norm finds out when he loses his left hand in an accident at his family's store. It's July 4, 1946. World War II has ended, and life is getting back to normal. But for Norm, the pressing question now is whether he will ever be able to play baseball again, or be an artist. It's up to Norm to find the strength to get beyond this roadblock and move on with his life.
Set against the quickening pace of life after wartime constraints, this inspiring novel is about an optimist who overcomes his misfortune with discipline and humor--and fulfills his dreams in ways no one could have expected.
What would life be like with only one hand? That's exactly what eleven-year-old Norm finds out when he loses his left hand in an accident at his family's store. It's July 4, 1946. World War II has ended, and life is getting back to normal. But for Norm, the pressing question now is whether he will ever be able to play baseball again, or be an artist. It's up to Norm to find the strength to get beyond this roadblock and move on with his life.
Set against the quickening pace of life after wartime constraints, this inspiring novel is about an optimist who overcomes his misfortune with discipline and humor--and fulfills his dreams in ways no one could have expected.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published September 19, 2006
43 people are currently reading
815 people want to read
About the author
Mary Jane Auch
48 books70 followersMary Jane Auch also writes as MJ Auch.
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
The thought of becoming a writer never occurred to MJ Auch as a child. Her only literary efforts in those days were the plays which she and her girlfriend, Noreen, wrote for their marionettes. They produced these extravaganzas in Noreen’s garage and organized the neighborhood boys into a sales force to sell tickets and refreshments.
Summer visits to both of MJ’s grandmothers led to her fascination with chickens. One grandmother had a small backyard flock and the other grandmother and two bachelor uncles had a large farm that supplied eggs to half of Long Island. MJ learned that a flock of chickens had almost the same range of personalities that could be found in a classroom, from the quiet, shy chicken to the big bully.
MJ loved books and read constantly. She wrote stories, drawn in comic book style with speech balloons for the dialog. Her interest in drawing continued through high school, and she went on to become an art major at Skidmore College. After graduation, MJ headed for New York City to seek fame and fortune, but after a year of designing prints for men's pajamas, she decided she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. She enrolled in the Occupational Therapy program at Columbia University, which led to some wonderful years of working in a children's hospital near Hartford, Connecticut.
On a brief stop home to visit her parents before transferring to a new job in Denver, she met Herm Auch, a graphic artist and editorial cartoonist for the Rochester newspaper. It was love at first sight, and MJ never made it to Denver. They were married in 1967 and within a few years had produced a daughter, Katrin and a son, Ian. They moved from the city to a small farm, complete with chickens, ducks, and geese. Armed with a huge collection of Mother Earth News and absolutely no practical experience, they tackled farm life with gusto, gaining much comedy material for books MJ’s future books.
As the children grew older, MJ began to look for work in her original field of art. Like Jenna's mother in Mom Is Dating Weird Wayne, she had a brief stint as a “zit zapper” at a school picture factory. Then she started illustrating for Pennywhistle Press, a national children's newspaper, and this sparked her interest in illustrating children’s books.
In the summer of 1984, MJ took a week-long children's writing conference on Cape Cod. She tried to write a picture book manuscript to take to the conference, but instead found herself writing a middle-grade novel. When her instructor, Natalie Babbitt, told of starting out as an artist and finding she could paint better pictures with words, something clicked. MJ finally knew that she wanted to a writer.
She started sending manuscripts to publishers, writing four full-length novels before she sold the first one. Then she sold a second book to another publisher that same week. It had taken two years and thirteen rejections, but MJ had finally reached her goal!mShe continued writing books for older kids and abandoned her dream of illustrating for a while. Then, after nine books, she wrote and illustrated The Easter Egg Farm. This set in motion a series of picture books featuring poultry involved in the arts.
The Auchs have now become a family of artists. Their children are grown and pursuing art careers of their own. Kat, a graphic artist, is now working as Associate Art Director for Scrapbook Answers Magazine in San Francisco. Ian has been a graphic artist and 3-D animator and is now Assistant New Media Editor for the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle newspaper. Ian is also a metal artist and created the chicken-sized beauty parlor chair for [b:Beauty and the Beaks|1918127|Beaut
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 222 reviews
March 8, 2015
This is such a great book. The main character is endearing, funny and inspiring. I loved how he was loosely based on the author's husband. I kept going back to the photo of her husband near the front of the book and "seeing" him in the story! The plot is well paced and the characters are totally believable.Many themes could be explored reading this book:
1.the historical aspect of its setting( it is hard to find books for this reading level set in the 1950's)
2.the obvious hurdle of living in a world that demands you fit in and be like everyone else when you are so obviously not( I think this would be a good topic to explore regardless of who we are, being we are all unique and yet all have to find a way to feel accepted/validated)
3.bravery and how it is modeled through the characters in the story
4.the meaning of true friendship(this topic was beautifully crafted into the story...I loved Lenny!)
5.the concept of family is worth exploring(each family in the book has obstacles to overcome and attitudes to explore)
And of course I forgot the more obvious theme of baseball and sport and what it means to be a good sports player.I guess in some ways all the themes overlap in part but again I think this is one of the books strengths.
I would recommend this book especially for the 10 to 14 year age group but as n adult I still found it an enjoyable read Looking forward to reading more books from this author!
1.the historical aspect of its setting( it is hard to find books for this reading level set in the 1950's)
2.the obvious hurdle of living in a world that demands you fit in and be like everyone else when you are so obviously not( I think this would be a good topic to explore regardless of who we are, being we are all unique and yet all have to find a way to feel accepted/validated)
3.bravery and how it is modeled through the characters in the story
4.the meaning of true friendship(this topic was beautifully crafted into the story...I loved Lenny!)
5.the concept of family is worth exploring(each family in the book has obstacles to overcome and attitudes to explore)
And of course I forgot the more obvious theme of baseball and sport and what it means to be a good sports player.I guess in some ways all the themes overlap in part but again I think this is one of the books strengths.
I would recommend this book especially for the 10 to 14 year age group but as n adult I still found it an enjoyable read Looking forward to reading more books from this author!
November 4, 2019
I liked it.
Read
March 8, 2021this book is a great book to teach people how to overcome problems in life
April 11, 2019
Totally savagefffffffffffffffffffffff d ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd ddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddddd
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October 3, 2014I do not have the book with me.
This genre is sports. This book gives excellent description on what the character(Norm) thinks, feels, and sees. The setting for this book is at his house, at the baseball field, and at school. I enjoyed this book ver much, it met my criteria and I wish there was a sequal. Norm is like me because he thinks just because somethings happens to you,you think nothing good will come out of it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports.
This genre is sports. This book gives excellent description on what the character(Norm) thinks, feels, and sees. The setting for this book is at his house, at the baseball field, and at school. I enjoyed this book ver much, it met my criteria and I wish there was a sequal. Norm is like me because he thinks just because somethings happens to you,you think nothing good will come out of it. I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports.
September 22, 2016
A really inspiring novel, all about a one-handed boy who wants to play baseball. It's super powerful in terms of conveying the extent of human courage and determination. Loved it.
January 24, 2018
In this book Norm's dream is to be a professional pitcher in the MLB for the New York Giants. But on eyear on the 4th of July Norm is working at the family grocery store and his Dad needs him to go cut some meet so he goes to cut it. But when he goes back there his hand gets caught in the meat grinder and he goes to the doctor. He falls asleep and when he wakes up he doesn't have his left hand. But he still works on his dream to play baseball. He practices everyday to try and get better. Eventually the Summer League baseball team has tryouts, and all Norm's work pays off. He makes the team, and he becomes a great player. He also realizes how "two-armed Norm" wouldn't of worked as hard as "one-armed Norm" worked. So he is really happy that all his work pays off. The next year on the $th of July they have a game. At first they are losing 10-0, but then the Coach puts Norm in to pitch. At first he was nervous but once he struck a guy out he became confident in himself. Once Norm comes in the game they hold the other team and still lose 10-9. But even though they lost. He was happy he worked hard and got to help out his team.
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April 9, 2023I read this book with my baseball loving 10 year old son. He loved the main character, Norm, who loses his hand in a terrible accident at his father’s store. This book is set in 1946 and follows a positive, resilient 11 year old (Norm), as he learns how to navigate life and persevere, despite his handicap. I recommend this book to young kids who love baseball. This book centers on the topic of friendship, positivity and overcoming adversity.
December 22, 2011
Justin Nay 12/20/11
Class 1201 TRCS
English IRB Essay #2: One Handed Catch
In the beginning of the book," One Handed Catch", Herm was watching the fireworks on the day that World War 2 started; he was only 6 years old. Herm knew to be extra careful when he was around fireworks because they are very dangerous. You can lose parts of your body, eyes, fingers, etc. or you can get killed. Herm only looked at his friend Leon’s box full of fireworks, but he did not touch them because his mother told him that fireworks can be dangerous. It is ironic that Herm tried so carefully to avoid danger because later he has a very serious injury. Herm has only one arm, because he put his hand on the meat grinder while he was working. He was shoving the meat into the grinder. The grinder motor slowed down while he was poking it with the plunger. On his way to the hospital, Herm told his mom “I‘m sorry that I broke my arm”, but his mom knew that it was much more serious than that.
At first Herm could not even shovel the snow with one hand. Herm finally learns how to tie his shoelaces with one hand and that seems impossible, but he could do it. Gordy was Herm's friend from school; he talked to Herm about playing baseball with one arm. Would Herm be able to do it? Herm said Yes, I think I can.
Dr, Zeigler talks to Miss Albright about Herm, what was he going to do for the rest of his life. Miss Albright said he could not play baseball; it was too hard for him. But the doctor said, “He can do it”. Herm thought about his accident as he and his left hand had 2 different times to go (die). He was glad that the rest of his body didn’t go to heaven. His left hand had a return trip ticket dated for July 7th 1946.
Conclusion: This is realistic, accidents like this happen in real life. People are injured in accidents and their lives change forever. Herm had a wonderful attitude. He was happy to be alive, he wanted to try to do everything he could with only one arm no matter how hard or even impossible it seemed at first. He was willing to keep trying. This book also reminds me of other MLB baseball players, like Jim Abbott and Pete Gray.
But the difference between Jim Abbott and Herm Auch is that Jim Abbott was born with one hand. He’s had only one hand since he was a baby in 1967. For Herm Auch, he was born with 2 hands. But, after his accident he had to re-learn how to everything with one hand.
I enjoyed reading this book as I would like to someday be a baseball player. So, I rated this book 5 stars on goodreads.com.
Class 1201 TRCS
English IRB Essay #2: One Handed Catch
In the beginning of the book," One Handed Catch", Herm was watching the fireworks on the day that World War 2 started; he was only 6 years old. Herm knew to be extra careful when he was around fireworks because they are very dangerous. You can lose parts of your body, eyes, fingers, etc. or you can get killed. Herm only looked at his friend Leon’s box full of fireworks, but he did not touch them because his mother told him that fireworks can be dangerous. It is ironic that Herm tried so carefully to avoid danger because later he has a very serious injury. Herm has only one arm, because he put his hand on the meat grinder while he was working. He was shoving the meat into the grinder. The grinder motor slowed down while he was poking it with the plunger. On his way to the hospital, Herm told his mom “I‘m sorry that I broke my arm”, but his mom knew that it was much more serious than that.
At first Herm could not even shovel the snow with one hand. Herm finally learns how to tie his shoelaces with one hand and that seems impossible, but he could do it. Gordy was Herm's friend from school; he talked to Herm about playing baseball with one arm. Would Herm be able to do it? Herm said Yes, I think I can.
Dr, Zeigler talks to Miss Albright about Herm, what was he going to do for the rest of his life. Miss Albright said he could not play baseball; it was too hard for him. But the doctor said, “He can do it”. Herm thought about his accident as he and his left hand had 2 different times to go (die). He was glad that the rest of his body didn’t go to heaven. His left hand had a return trip ticket dated for July 7th 1946.
Conclusion: This is realistic, accidents like this happen in real life. People are injured in accidents and their lives change forever. Herm had a wonderful attitude. He was happy to be alive, he wanted to try to do everything he could with only one arm no matter how hard or even impossible it seemed at first. He was willing to keep trying. This book also reminds me of other MLB baseball players, like Jim Abbott and Pete Gray.
But the difference between Jim Abbott and Herm Auch is that Jim Abbott was born with one hand. He’s had only one hand since he was a baby in 1967. For Herm Auch, he was born with 2 hands. But, after his accident he had to re-learn how to everything with one hand.
I enjoyed reading this book as I would like to someday be a baseball player. So, I rated this book 5 stars on goodreads.com.
April 4, 2008
One-Handed Catch is a sports fiction book about a twelve year old boy, Norman Schmidt who lives in Lake Carmel. Norman’s family owns a store, where he helps out. He is an artist and loves baseball. Everything is going well for him until July 4, 1946. Norman has to perform many jobs including making chopped meat using a meat grinder. He did this but gets his hand caught in it when fixing a jam. His hand is amputated up to his wrist and will have a stump the rest of his life. The main conflict is that his hand is amputated and Norman has to find a way to get through everyday life including playing baseball. It is an external and internal conflict because of the condition of his hand and Norman thought he couldn’t do anything again. With the help of his friend Leon Ludewig, Norman has to overcome many obstacles such as making the summer baseball team, not falling behind in school and riding a bike. In the end, he makes the baseball team after working very hard. Norman pitches in a game where they are losing badly and almost brings them to victory with his great pitching performance.
I thought MJ Auch’s writing style is fantastic because she uses language that is easy to understand and is very descriptive. I chose this book because I like baseball and the cover seemed interesting. I liked that the character has to overcome obstacles and that it is very inspiring. Throughout the book Norman improves significantly and the end result is just amazing to see him pitching in a real baseball game. He shows great courage by continuing to do the things he loves despite many obstacles. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy baseball and inspirational stories. (300)
I thought MJ Auch’s writing style is fantastic because she uses language that is easy to understand and is very descriptive. I chose this book because I like baseball and the cover seemed interesting. I liked that the character has to overcome obstacles and that it is very inspiring. Throughout the book Norman improves significantly and the end result is just amazing to see him pitching in a real baseball game. He shows great courage by continuing to do the things he loves despite many obstacles. I would recommend this book to people that enjoy baseball and inspirational stories. (300)
April 5, 2017
Interesting premise about Norm, an 11 year old boy, who loses his left hand in a meat grinder accident in the family grocery store and the changes in his life. Very good so far.
Inspired by the author's husband who lost his hand in a similar accident when he was a boy.
Likes:
* Humor and very little self-pity
* Issues with his father were realistic
* Friends with other boy, Karl, who's grandmother is a talented baker
* Mother making people, teachers, scout leaders and coaches treat Norm without coddling
Dislikes:
* Mom was a little hard on Norm, but for all the right mom reasons
* Father seemed very awkward and uncomfortable about Norm's missing hand
* Best friend, Leon, means well, but isn't always supportive
* I noticed that Lisa Nocita and Prairie Star wrote the same quaint review of this book comparing it to the movie the Christmas story...hmmm...I hope their teacher also noticed.
With-reservations:
description of horrible accident
Inspired by the author's husband who lost his hand in a similar accident when he was a boy.
Likes:
* Humor and very little self-pity
* Issues with his father were realistic
* Friends with other boy, Karl, who's grandmother is a talented baker
* Mother making people, teachers, scout leaders and coaches treat Norm without coddling
Dislikes:
* Mom was a little hard on Norm, but for all the right mom reasons
* Father seemed very awkward and uncomfortable about Norm's missing hand
* Best friend, Leon, means well, but isn't always supportive
* I noticed that Lisa Nocita and Prairie Star wrote the same quaint review of this book comparing it to the movie the Christmas story...hmmm...I hope their teacher also noticed.
With-reservations:
description of horrible accident
January 29, 2024
It is 1946. The war is over, and there will be fireworks on the 4th of July. Norm Schmidt’s friend, Leo, buys some from his cousin and is excited to set them off. He invites Norm to join him. Norm decides to go, but knows that he needs to stay away from Leo and the rockets. He doesn’t trust Leo and doesn’t want to risk being blown up by a runaway firework. Norm needn’t have worried. He never got to celebrate that year. During the afternoon, Norm’s dad, a butcher, sends him to chop more meat. When a chunk of gristle gets stuck in the grinder, Norm tries to move it through with the plugger. That doesn’t work so Norm grabs the end of the meat and pulls. Before he can react, his hand disappears into the grinder. Unfortunately, Norm loses his left hand. Now, his aspirations for playing baseball seem completely out of reach. He can't even tie his own shoes! Norm's mother expects him to overcome his handicap. She asks him to take out the garbage the first night out of the hospital and makes him resume his duties in the family's butcher shop. She tells all of his teachers not to cater to him. At first, Norm is angry at her because he would like to take the easy road and use his handicap as an excuse. But, he soon learns that she is right. He begins to figure out ways that he can do normal things with one hand and a stump. He practices catching and throwing a baseball with his right hand and batting. Progress is slow at first, but he soon makes good progress. Maybe, he will be able to make the baseball team in the spring after all.
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
©2024 Kathy Maxwell at https://bookskidslike.com
January 11, 2012
Norm loses his right hand just below his wrist when it gets stuck in the meat grinder at his family’s meat market (his dad is a butcher and grocer) the summer before he starts 6th grade. After that, everything is harder – working at the store, riding his bike, tying his shoes, playing baseball. But Norm is a resilient kid and he works hard to overcome what other people see as a major disability. His father is almost more traumatized than Norm is, and, sick with guilt over his son’s accident, he barely speaks to him for several months. Norm’s mother, on the other hand, doesn’t cut him any slack and talks with all of his teachers and his baseball coach – asking them not to give him special treatment. Norm is torn. He thinks he’d like to have it easy, but he realizes that losing his hand has made him more determined than ever to succeed.
MJ Auch based One-Handed Catch’s main character Norm on her husband, Herm, who also lost his hand during his childhood. He, too, thought it made him a creative problem-solver and a more determined individual. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, you’ll enjoy reading about how Norm learns to do everything one-handed and overcomes the difficulties his injury presents. This is an empowering and uplifting story, and while neither the cover art nor the subject matter initially appealed to me, I really enjoyed it. MJ Auch hits this one out of the park!
MJ Auch based One-Handed Catch’s main character Norm on her husband, Herm, who also lost his hand during his childhood. He, too, thought it made him a creative problem-solver and a more determined individual. Even if you’re not a baseball fan, you’ll enjoy reading about how Norm learns to do everything one-handed and overcomes the difficulties his injury presents. This is an empowering and uplifting story, and while neither the cover art nor the subject matter initially appealed to me, I really enjoyed it. MJ Auch hits this one out of the park!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 22, 2011
Set right after WW II ends and based on the author's husband's experiences.
Norm Schmidt is crazy about baseball as are most of the other boys his age and he's hoping to make the summer team next year. And then, on the 4th of July, he gets his hand caught in the grinder at his father's butcher shop and loses a hand. Everyone changes as a result.
Norm gets frustrated with his father who doesn't him in the hospital and continues to feel very guilty about the accident. Norm's mom gets very strict and insists he figure out how to do things one-handed when he'd rather play on the sympathies of the people around him. Norm's younger sister gets sickenly attentive and his best friend tries to help when Norm doesn't want help. Norm himself feels like a freak at first, wanting to hide his handless arm. Through a lot of hard work, Norm relearns how to tie his shoes, how to button his shirts, how to participate in the school band, and...how to play baseball. Gradually Norm and the people around him learn to live their ordinary lives again.
I didn't think I was going to like this book but I did--it's a wonderful book. The characters are timeless as they figure out how to manage day to day under new circumstances. Even during the bad times, Norm himself looks for the positive in his future and he manages to find it.
Norm Schmidt is crazy about baseball as are most of the other boys his age and he's hoping to make the summer team next year. And then, on the 4th of July, he gets his hand caught in the grinder at his father's butcher shop and loses a hand. Everyone changes as a result.
Norm gets frustrated with his father who doesn't him in the hospital and continues to feel very guilty about the accident. Norm's mom gets very strict and insists he figure out how to do things one-handed when he'd rather play on the sympathies of the people around him. Norm's younger sister gets sickenly attentive and his best friend tries to help when Norm doesn't want help. Norm himself feels like a freak at first, wanting to hide his handless arm. Through a lot of hard work, Norm relearns how to tie his shoes, how to button his shirts, how to participate in the school band, and...how to play baseball. Gradually Norm and the people around him learn to live their ordinary lives again.
I didn't think I was going to like this book but I did--it's a wonderful book. The characters are timeless as they figure out how to manage day to day under new circumstances. Even during the bad times, Norm himself looks for the positive in his future and he manages to find it.
December 4, 2011
I really liked this book!
This was the story of Norman, who is an 11-year-old living in the post-WWII era. Early on in the book, his hand is amputated because he caught it in a meat grinder. I thought it was going to be super graphic and disgusting, however, it was handled well! And he was pretty light-hearted about it, mainly because he was in shock.
Anyway, the story is basically about how he copes with only having one hand and trying to be an 11-year-old. It's also a bit about the war - rationing food, new car models, ethnic uneasiness, and so forth.
I thought it was very well written. It sure made me extra grateful for having both of my hands. It's the same way I felt after reading Shark Girl. I guess you never really realize what you have until it's gone. Many of the little parts of the book were based on the author's husband, who had a similar accident at a similar age. I really liked that the small intricacies were true-to-life, rather than just what the author assumed an 11-year-old boy would go through. The author also did a great job with infusing period advertisements and sentiments, and I really felt like I was there in the story! This author also wrote Ashes of Roses, which was fantastic.
This book is a tearjerker, but definitely worth the read!! Thanks, Caudill list!
This was the story of Norman, who is an 11-year-old living in the post-WWII era. Early on in the book, his hand is amputated because he caught it in a meat grinder. I thought it was going to be super graphic and disgusting, however, it was handled well! And he was pretty light-hearted about it, mainly because he was in shock.
Anyway, the story is basically about how he copes with only having one hand and trying to be an 11-year-old. It's also a bit about the war - rationing food, new car models, ethnic uneasiness, and so forth.
I thought it was very well written. It sure made me extra grateful for having both of my hands. It's the same way I felt after reading Shark Girl. I guess you never really realize what you have until it's gone. Many of the little parts of the book were based on the author's husband, who had a similar accident at a similar age. I really liked that the small intricacies were true-to-life, rather than just what the author assumed an 11-year-old boy would go through. The author also did a great job with infusing period advertisements and sentiments, and I really felt like I was there in the story! This author also wrote Ashes of Roses, which was fantastic.
This book is a tearjerker, but definitely worth the read!! Thanks, Caudill list!
March 7, 2013
M.J. Auch's, One-Handed Catch, was written to inform readers about the struggles people with disabilities face every day. Auch uses first person point of view to express what the characters are thinking and feeling. She informs the reader of what life would be like living with only one hand.
Throughout the story, the author develops the theme of overcoming adversity. Auch shows how the protagonist, a middle-school aged boy, changes what could have been an awful situation into a life-altering learning experience. Through trial and error and a lot of perseverance, the character uses his misfortune as an opportunity to learn.
The book is written in narrative style. Auch effectively uses a narrator to give the story more credibility and personal insight. Through the narration, the author is able to explain the personal challenges that handicapped children face every day.
I like this book because it is about baseball and a child who has to overcome many challenges to be able to play. I also like this book because it could inspire other kids with disabilities to realize that if they try hard enough they can overcome many of their own obstacles as well. I like how the author achieves her goal and would not change anything about this book. I have not read any other books like this but I would like to read more of them.
Throughout the story, the author develops the theme of overcoming adversity. Auch shows how the protagonist, a middle-school aged boy, changes what could have been an awful situation into a life-altering learning experience. Through trial and error and a lot of perseverance, the character uses his misfortune as an opportunity to learn.
The book is written in narrative style. Auch effectively uses a narrator to give the story more credibility and personal insight. Through the narration, the author is able to explain the personal challenges that handicapped children face every day.
I like this book because it is about baseball and a child who has to overcome many challenges to be able to play. I also like this book because it could inspire other kids with disabilities to realize that if they try hard enough they can overcome many of their own obstacles as well. I like how the author achieves her goal and would not change anything about this book. I have not read any other books like this but I would like to read more of them.
April 25, 2013
One-handed Catch is an excellent work, featuring an 11 year old boy with a passion for baseball. He occasionally practices in hope of making the middle school summer baseball team. One day, Norm, was working at his dad’s meat market whipping up a fresh batch of ground beef when his hand was cut up and eventually amputated. Now, he must try much harder in order to even be considered to make the baseball team. Mrs. Auch does a superb job when describing Norm’s recovery as he discovers innovative ways to play ball with only a right handed glove, a bat, and a stump where his hand once was. One can tell how motivated Norm is to achieve his goal, “I think Norm can handle it (baseball)himself” (Auch84). Mrs. Auch cleverly adopts a persona of young boy. I find it very interesting that his novel is loosely based on Mrs. Auch’s husband, Herm, and his rather similar meat grinder accident. I find the story a little forced at some points like, “we could both share mittens”, (Auch 21). I think that she drifts off into a slightly more female persona which derails the overall plot. Mrs. Auch is a qualified author of 4 star pieces such as Guitar Boy in which she details a homeless boy whose mom is hospitalized. She has written books from boy’s perspectives before, and she will probably do it again. Overall, this novel is a great piece of literature and suspense, a true page turner.
May 29, 2013
I wasn't very interested in this book to begin with, but since I've been trying to go through children's audio to know the collection I'm over at the library better, I thought I'd at least give it a try. Generally, I don't like a lot of sports books because they are over the top. Surprise, I ended up loving this book. And it's not your typical sports book. The story follows Norman, a 11 year old kid living at the end of WWII who has just lost his left hand in an accident. His goal of becoming a baseball player seems to have come to an end. But this is more than a sports book. It's about Norman coping with everyday things without a hand. Norman is incredibly likable and MJ Auch has created characters that are realistic to their age and to their reactions to Norman and his injury. And the most important thing about this book (in my humble opinion that is right :)) is that it's not sappy! Usually things like this are sappy, and this is not. It could be due to the fact that this story is based off of MJ Auch's husband's real life experience. Overall, it's completely worth the read. And if you can pick up the audio, I recommend it. It's done by a full cast and is top to bottom great. At the end, there's an interview with the author and her husband that's interesting as well. I recommend it to fourth graders and up. It could fill a historical fiction requirement as well.
March 7, 2011
Published in 2006 by Henry Holt and Co.
Interest Level: 5th-8th Grade
This is a book about a boy who is living in the town of Lake Carmel post-WWII and he loses his hand in an accident and must deal with this tragic accident. He goes through the various stages of loss and grief because of his hand and tries to figure out how to play baseball once again after losing his hand. This is an interesting book because not only does it deal with a physical disability and coping with it from an adolescent perspective it also covers the post-WWII period and how American switched gears so suddenly after a major historical event. Norm is based on the author's husband's experiences as an adolescent boy. There is a deep examination of how physical disabilities can affect the life, emotions, and actions of a child. Additionally, Norm's interactions with his father are so true to life that it plays out as if it were a movie. This detailed, experienced account of a tough set of circumstances during an interesting historical time period creates a great book that examines coping, conflict, and overcoming hardship for young adolescents.
Interest Level: 5th-8th Grade
This is a book about a boy who is living in the town of Lake Carmel post-WWII and he loses his hand in an accident and must deal with this tragic accident. He goes through the various stages of loss and grief because of his hand and tries to figure out how to play baseball once again after losing his hand. This is an interesting book because not only does it deal with a physical disability and coping with it from an adolescent perspective it also covers the post-WWII period and how American switched gears so suddenly after a major historical event. Norm is based on the author's husband's experiences as an adolescent boy. There is a deep examination of how physical disabilities can affect the life, emotions, and actions of a child. Additionally, Norm's interactions with his father are so true to life that it plays out as if it were a movie. This detailed, experienced account of a tough set of circumstances during an interesting historical time period creates a great book that examines coping, conflict, and overcoming hardship for young adolescents.
March 1, 2013
Have you ever thought about what it would be like to go through life with one hand? In One-handed Catch by MJ Auch this is what Norm goes through. One-handed Catch is a very well-written book that has some good points and some bad ones. This is a story of 11-year old Norm losing his left hand in a meat grinder and how that affected his everyday life. He could put on his shoes, but couldn’t tie his laces. He could throw a baseball, but he couldn’t catch and throw. He lost his hand on summer break and was very scared to go back to school because of his fear of being called a cripple and stupid. During the school year, he was bullied, but his best friend Leon helped him through. He made it through a hard year of sixth grade maintaining just high enough grades to try out for the school baseball team, even though he had one hand. The problem: he was on a team with eighth and seventh graders. Read to find out how his season goes and if having one hand affects him on the baseball field. This book was very sad at times and funny at others. I would give this book 3 stars because it wasn’t the most interesting.
~Cripple Xing
~Cripple Xing
February 20, 2014
This book tells us a mostly true story about a boy who had a meat-grinder freak accident. We get to see the struggle of having to live your life with one hand. This boy aspired to be a professional baseball player and he wants to believe his dreams are crushed...but can family and friends stand by his side and help him through this miserable time? Will they push his buttons and bug him just to get him to do things that will make him realize that he could have a chance at playing again? With all the difficulties that occur, you will get to read the story about a boy that needs a little push just to get back on path. I got this book in the 5th grade and absolutely loved it. The characters are fake but the whole outline and actual story is absolutely true. Many people don't know the struggle of having to live your life one-handed and the struggle to try and go back to normal. What made me enjoy this book so much was the fact that seeing someone struggle more than I, the average person, and still be able and try to follow there dreams inspires me. It is a marvelous read and I highly recommend it!
May 11, 2015
The book "One-handed catch" by MJ Auch is a phenominal book. It's about a normal eleven-year-old boy named Norm that suffers a fatal accident in his parent's store. He loves drawing,any kind of art. He also has a passion for baseball but takes a turn when the accident happens. He has to find a way to go on with life with only one hand. He is a very intelligent, hardworking, and very inspiring because although he suffers with one hand, he strives and works at what he wants to achieve. The story takes place in his house, at school, and on the baseball field. Norm's friend Leon makes the tragic experience alittle more humorous by cracking jokes and making Norm feel more comfortable about the situation. I enjoy this book because it relates to me in the subject of baseball. Norm is like me because he is always trying to solve a problem and works hard when trying to achieve something. When he sets his mind on something, he doesn't give up on it and is very inspiring because of his efforts to get better and that's why I relate to him so well. I would definitely recommend this for anyone especially for people that enjoy baseball.
February 4, 2016
Narrated by Ryan Sparkes and cast. This story covers a year in Norm's life starting when he loses his hand in his father's meat grinder through the one-year anniversary of the accident, a day when he helps pitch a baseball game. The scene describing the accident isn't gruesome but readers may squirm at the idea. Norm doesn't let too much get him down, but he does experience frustration, as when his mother insists he start learning to do for himself, or his father and best friend Leon aren't supportive of Norm's efforts to overcome his injury. And occasionally there are tears and anger. Norm, however, continues to work hard at the things that are important to him, including finding a way to catch and hit in baseball.
The audio presentation is delightful. The boy reading for Norm brings in a boyish, gee-whiz spirit and even better, his voice is changing so you occasionally hear his voice crack which only adds to the appeal and authenticity of the story. Swing music interludes between chapters set the 1940s atmosphere. An interview with the author and her husband who is the inspiration for Norm closes the audio.
The audio presentation is delightful. The boy reading for Norm brings in a boyish, gee-whiz spirit and even better, his voice is changing so you occasionally hear his voice crack which only adds to the appeal and authenticity of the story. Swing music interludes between chapters set the 1940s atmosphere. An interview with the author and her husband who is the inspiration for Norm closes the audio.
December 15, 2011
One Handed Catch Book Review Landen Messner
Ever went through life with one hand? Well that is what 11 year old Norman Shcimdt has to do. On the Forth of July, Norman is asked to give his father “a hand” in the back and that is exactly what he does. He gets his hand stuck in the meat grinder and has to have it taken off!With no hope to make the baseball team everyone tells him to give up, but Norman doesn't give in and soon he is practicing with his best friends Leon and Carl to make the team. In this story Norman Shcmidt, a one handed baseball player and pitcher, learns to never give up on the things he treasures the most even through all the remarks on only having one arm. In this story you learn to never give up just like Norm.
In this story MJ Auch really gets you intrigued with all the humor between Norman and Leon, also with the suspense with Norm's arm. Also you learn a lot about baseball through Norm. MJ Auch is a very humorous, suspenseful, character that intrigues you to read more. I would recommend this book to anyone.
Ever went through life with one hand? Well that is what 11 year old Norman Shcimdt has to do. On the Forth of July, Norman is asked to give his father “a hand” in the back and that is exactly what he does. He gets his hand stuck in the meat grinder and has to have it taken off!With no hope to make the baseball team everyone tells him to give up, but Norman doesn't give in and soon he is practicing with his best friends Leon and Carl to make the team. In this story Norman Shcmidt, a one handed baseball player and pitcher, learns to never give up on the things he treasures the most even through all the remarks on only having one arm. In this story you learn to never give up just like Norm.
In this story MJ Auch really gets you intrigued with all the humor between Norman and Leon, also with the suspense with Norm's arm. Also you learn a lot about baseball through Norm. MJ Auch is a very humorous, suspenseful, character that intrigues you to read more. I would recommend this book to anyone.
July 2, 2008
The writing in this novel is very good and moves the story line along at a clip. You really come to know the character. For some reason, this book really reminded me of one of my favorite holiday movies, A Christmas Story. Not because it is about the holidays but because it has an "old-timey, when life was simpler, small-town America" feel to it. Brighton Beach Memoir comes to mind too. Norm is eleven when he has an accident in his family-owned butcher shop. He loses his left hand conceivably putting an end to his dreams of playing baseball. But Norm has an indomitable spirit and works hard to overcome his disability. The plot line has all the ingredients to become a preachy, overcoming-the-odds melodrama, but the author, gratefully, never stoops to that. Instead, the author creates a well told and heartwarming story.
August 24, 2011
Right away, Norm loses his hand in a meat grinding accident, and while this event seems too set-up, readers latter learn in the afterward that the book is based off the author's husband, who really did lose this hand in a meat grinding accident. The book follows Norm through the first year of his adjustment to having one hand, and he does quite well. His mother will not give him special treatment, nor will she let anyone else treat him differently, while his father feels guilty about the accident and barely speaks to Norm. Through it all, Norm learns how to play baseball again, continue in scouting and generally deal with his new situation. This is a heartwarming book that is a little slow to start. Also, this works for historical fiction assignments. This will not be the Caudill winner, but this is a good book to sneak into the list to make sure that readers just some substance.
January 8, 2010
Norman schmidt is a normal kid... until he loses his left hand. his favorite sport is baseball and he is not sure if he will be able to accomplish his life long dream to play major league baseball. norman goes through alot of struggles but he is still determined to make it to the big leagues. will norman give up or will he keep practicing and make it? i guess you have to read this book to find out.
i thought one handed catch is an okay book. it starts sort of fast but in the middle it gets very slow and boring but when you but the book down you wonder what happens so you find yourself reading again.
i recommend this book for people that are curious and people that dont abandon ship on books that easy because this book will bore you in the beginning.
i thought one handed catch is an okay book. it starts sort of fast but in the middle it gets very slow and boring but when you but the book down you wonder what happens so you find yourself reading again.
i recommend this book for people that are curious and people that dont abandon ship on books that easy because this book will bore you in the beginning.
February 10, 2011
A solid baseball story/historical fiction book about an 11 year old boy who (this isn't a spoiler) loses his left hand in a pretty gruesome accident. Through perserverance and a mother who simply won't let him give up, Norm learns to do many things you wouldn't think a one-handed boy could do - including relearn how to play baseball. The author says she based the book on her husband's experience, and the book does have the ring of truth about it. (the story is more believable for me maybe because I know a one-handed boy who plays baseball - and well enough to make All-Stars without any pity involved in that honor). Hopefully kids will get over their general historical fiction reluctance to give the book a shot. Appropriate for 4th to about 6th grade.
October 2, 2011
When Norman's hand is lost in a meatgrinder accident only pages into this book, you have to think UH-OH. However, Norman is not allowed to feel sorry for himself or take advantage of his new impediment (his mom sees to that). I would call this book "charming." It is also "wholesome." Norman does the right thing because he can, and I liked that about him. Auch tells that the story is based on her husband's real-life experiences. I would very much like to meet her husband because the character that I met in this book is likable and inspirational. I don't give it five stars because it is slow at times (a fall-back to the 1940s) but it is an inspired stroll through a young man's life in the shadows of WWII and the shadows of a life-changing event.
December 13, 2011
Our family actually listened to this on audiobook. It was presented more like a reader's theater with various actors reading the parts. There was even 40s music playing in between chapters. Overall, we thought the book was great! It was even better knowing that it is inspired and based on a true story. As parents listening to this, my husband and I so appreciated the author's intent and overall message for the story as well as making this read appropriate for kids. Our sons enjoyed the boy humor and camaraderie that connects Norm and his closest friends. It was also interesting to get a glimpse into the 40s time period for our sons to see how things are different but also how they have stayed the same. We definitely recommend this fantastic little novel!
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