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Shortstop from Tokyo Library Book Grade 4: Harcourt School Publishers Treasury of Literature
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 19, 2017
The moral of this simple and fast moving story is one that could be expressed outside the realm of sports. Stogie Crane is slated to be the starting shortstop for the Mohawks, a little league baseball team. However, Sam Suzuki’s family moves into the area from Tokyo, Japan and Sam is faster with a stronger arm. Sam is also a more solid hitter than Stogie, so he is afraid that he will lose his position.
Rather than be philosophical about the change, Stogie expresses a great deal of jealousy, even to the point of playing a dirty trick on Sam. As is so often the case, the trick just makes Stogie feel bad and does not really have the intended effect. Furthermore, Stogie’s focus on his emotions leads to a decline in the quality of his play and he loses his starting position. After some realistic reappraisal, Stogie swallows some pride and makes apologies and amends. The team comes alive once more and wins the big game in the last inning.
This story features the destructive nature of emotions more than it is about competitive sports. Life is full of situations where there is the real or only perceived threat of being replaced by someone better. How you cope with these situations will do a lot to determine how successful you manage to be. This is a lesson in working with people rather than being angry about what they do, especially when they are only doing their job.
Rather than be philosophical about the change, Stogie expresses a great deal of jealousy, even to the point of playing a dirty trick on Sam. As is so often the case, the trick just makes Stogie feel bad and does not really have the intended effect. Furthermore, Stogie’s focus on his emotions leads to a decline in the quality of his play and he loses his starting position. After some realistic reappraisal, Stogie swallows some pride and makes apologies and amends. The team comes alive once more and wins the big game in the last inning.
This story features the destructive nature of emotions more than it is about competitive sports. Life is full of situations where there is the real or only perceived threat of being replaced by someone better. How you cope with these situations will do a lot to determine how successful you manage to be. This is a lesson in working with people rather than being angry about what they do, especially when they are only doing their job.
August 30, 2019
My summary is when this new kid called Sam ones to play baseball for the Mohawks, but his favorite position Is taken by Stogie. While Stogie and and Sam and another friend were about to leave, Sam forgot his glove. Stogie saw it and did nothing because it wasn’t his problem. The next day Sam’s globe is all damaged but, Sam blames Stogie for doing it because he was jealous. Then, in a night Stogie and Beak noticed something was moving and it was porcupine who had chewed up Sam’s glove. Stogie has plans of telling Sam about his glove but, Sam hadn’t showed up for practice and that made Stogie feel guilty. Eventually, Sam shows up for the 7th inning of the game. I learned that sometimes are choices affects what other people think just like Stogie didn’t try to keep the glove and just leave out in the open.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2020
Nice little story about a kid being delegated to second base after a superstar shortstop from Japan joins the team and takes his position. The kid has to deal with acceptance/best for the team type of stuff in order to mesh with his new infield partner.
The book is perfect for a kid who likes sports.
The book is perfect for a kid who likes sports.
June 4, 2018
Matt Christopher books are awesome for young sports fans! Reading this with Sam was a lot of fun. I wonder how many Christophers he'll read.
April 15, 2007
My first lesson in race relations. Also, dealing with backyard pests.
October 27, 2010
good details.
June 19, 2014
This was a great Matt Christopher book, but all of them are, so I didn't expect anything less than good. I recommend this book for anyone who like baseball.
May 6, 2015
I like how this book had a character that came all the way from Japan, will this cause problems to the people who want his position in baseball, read to find out !
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews