What do you think?
Rate this book
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream
The true story of Marcenia Lyle, an African American girl who grew up to become "Toni Stone," the first woman to play for a professional baseball team.
One day in the 1930s, Marcenia and the boys she plays ball with learn that Gabby Street, a famous baseball manager, is scouting children for a baseball summer camp sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals. Eager to earn a spot, Marcenia plays her best, but is discouraged when Mr. Street tells her there are no girls in his camp. Convinced that baseball is her destiny, Marcenia won't give up, ultimately proving her skill and passion to Mr. Street and her dubious parents.
One day in the 1930s, Marcenia and the boys she plays ball with learn that Gabby Street, a famous baseball manager, is scouting children for a baseball summer camp sponsored by the St. Louis Cardinals. Eager to earn a spot, Marcenia plays her best, but is discouraged when Mr. Street tells her there are no girls in his camp. Convinced that baseball is her destiny, Marcenia won't give up, ultimately proving her skill and passion to Mr. Street and her dubious parents.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2005
15 people are currently reading
452 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
August 30, 2017
Per my second graders: I loved because the lesson said you have to follow your dreams. It doesn't matter but just do it. I loved it because the moon was like a baseball. I liked it because the illustrations were excellent. I loved it because she became a baseball player. She hit three home runs and she can run fast.
February 6, 2019
Can you imagine what the world would be like without women athletes? Marcenia Lyle is the main character who had an amazing dream and she worked hard to make her dream come true. She is ambitious and faces a slight challenge in realizing her dream of becoming the first woman to play for an all male pro baseball team. This story is set in the 1930’s, it’s very encouraging, celebrates women’s history & I love it.
May 18, 2023
Love!!!!
Check out the version read by Kevin Costner for the SAG on YouTube. My students went crazy for this true story!
Check out the version read by Kevin Costner for the SAG on YouTube. My students went crazy for this true story!
March 29, 2008
I learned that a ten-year-old black girl in 1931 had no chance of realizing her dream to become a professional baseball player in America unless something rather miraculous happen. In Catching The Moon, The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream, Marcenia Lyle receives her first pair of baseball shoes from Gabby Street who was manager of the World Series-winning St. Louis Cardinals at the time. That gift set Marcenia on a path to be the first woman of any race to join an all male professional baseball team. This book shows children and adults alike that no dream is impossible.
February 26, 2023
This is a lovely story and I was totally invested. The Illustrations also "brought home" (pun fully intended) the emotions, action, and excitement of a girl who loves baseball. And with the back matter, I learned about this amazing woman, Marcenia "Toni Stone" Alberga.
I only took off one star because I couldn't figure out if this actually happened or if it's one of these, "well, this could have happened" things. This could have been indicated either up front with the bibliography or in the back matter. I'm not saying it _didn't_ happen, just that there's nothing in the book that says "a true story" or "Marcenia really did meet Mr. Street and he gave her cleats." Too many children's books like to exaggerate or outright make up stories about famous people in their childhood for dramatic effect.
I only took off one star because I couldn't figure out if this actually happened or if it's one of these, "well, this could have happened" things. This could have been indicated either up front with the bibliography or in the back matter. I'm not saying it _didn't_ happen, just that there's nothing in the book that says "a true story" or "Marcenia really did meet Mr. Street and he gave her cleats." Too many children's books like to exaggerate or outright make up stories about famous people in their childhood for dramatic effect.
Read
April 14, 2024Marcenia loved to play baseball. She was very interested in a baseball camp, but the director did not take girls. Her father did not support her interest in baseball. Because of her perseverance, she ended up going to the camp (Hubbard, C., & Dubarke, R. (2005). Catching the moon. Lee & Low Books).
In my classroom, I would utilize this book for kindergarten to fifth grade. It has a lexile score of AD640L. It has many pictures of baseball. It is easy to follow along.
I would utilize this book in my library because it deals with perseverance. I would use it to show that some things in life have to be earned. I would also use it to show how some things are not easy but can be overcome by applying yourself.
In my classroom, I would utilize this book for kindergarten to fifth grade. It has a lexile score of AD640L. It has many pictures of baseball. It is easy to follow along.
I would utilize this book in my library because it deals with perseverance. I would use it to show that some things in life have to be earned. I would also use it to show how some things are not easy but can be overcome by applying yourself.
September 26, 2020
A great book recommended for readers of all ages. This book takes on the classic story of not an underdog but something similar. In this story, a young girl has big dream but an uncommon one "for most girls". All she wants to do is play baseball, not with boys, not to stand out, but because she just loves the sport. In order to play she had to fight her way through bias and stereotypes from those she played with, those she wanted to play for, and even her own family. You can kind of guess what happens in the end but the part that makes this book great, is the fact that it is based off a true story.
September 28, 2020
I love this children's book because it talked about this young girl Marcenia, who had a love for the game of baseball & loved a baseball glove being in her hand. Her mother tried convincing her to play with dolls but baseball always had her heart. Her parents kept trying to ruin a dreams of being a baseball player though. Of course-- I do not want to ruin the end of this book! but I love this novel because although, many people looked down on her. She was still eager about playing baseball. This shows that no matter what, follow your dreams.
June 27, 2021
This book is about a girl who wants to be a baseball player but her mom and dad think baseball is for boys. and one day a choch came and said he was doing a baseball camp the gril wanted to go but he said baseball is for boys not girls. but she kepped on begging him to let her in and finally he said yes.
so the end was a happy ending i really love this book <3 c: its a gret book
so the end was a happy ending i really love this book <3 c: its a gret book
March 5, 2008
A story about a young girl back in the girls-can't-play-sports old days who loved baseball. Great story yes, but god let's keep beating the poor dead horse, shall we? I wouldn't mind telling you this is a great book and that you should read it if it were sitting right in front of me, but it's not really that much different than the other 10,000 stories about little girls who want to play sports and the boys won't let them. It doesn't stand out in the uh, field.
October 20, 2010
Loved the book. Agreed with my daughter's assessment, and bought it to send to my granddaughter who has recently discovered that although she's smaller and more fragile looking than her teammates, she can get in there and scrap for that soccer ball with the best of them! Go after what you want! Dreams count.
March 18, 2016
Readers will cheer for Marcenia as she tears around the bases, dazzling the St. Louis Cardinals manager Gabby Street and convincing him that she should be able to join his summer baseball camp. As a young girl, Marcenia defied the narrow expectations for young women of the time, growing up to join the professional Negro league.
December 26, 2016
Beautiful true story making girls believe in their dreams no matter what that dream could be
April 25, 2018
I watched the Storytime Online version of this book read by Kevin Costner and Jillian Estell. In the book, Hubbard writes and DuBurke illustrates the story of young Marcenia Lyle, an African-American woman who would become the first female professional baseball player. The book focuses in on a story from her youth, when she is a grade-schooler whose one passion is baseball. When she learns that Gabby Street, the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, is holding a kids' baseball camp over the summer in her town, she tries to impress him with her baseball skills but is denied an invitation because the camp is boys-only. She persists, however, and earns an invitation despite her sex, but faces economic hurdles and her father’s more feminine expectations.
Primary school readers would enjoy this book, and Costner and Estell demonstrate that it lends itself to a read-aloud. The main theme is pursuing one’s dreams in the face of challenges, which is appropriate for the grade level. The writing is clear and direct, and the acrylic work of DuBurke takes an appropriate semi-realistic style. The highlight of the book is the fact that the central character is not only a girl, but an African-American, striving to succeed in an area traditionally occupied by white men. That it is a true story makes it all the more charming. The author is not heavy-handed with the diversity message, likely because it is implicit in the narrative.
The book is an Amelia Bloomer Lists award winner for Beginning Readers Nonfiction of 2006. This list recommends feminist books for children.
Primary school readers would enjoy this book, and Costner and Estell demonstrate that it lends itself to a read-aloud. The main theme is pursuing one’s dreams in the face of challenges, which is appropriate for the grade level. The writing is clear and direct, and the acrylic work of DuBurke takes an appropriate semi-realistic style. The highlight of the book is the fact that the central character is not only a girl, but an African-American, striving to succeed in an area traditionally occupied by white men. That it is a true story makes it all the more charming. The author is not heavy-handed with the diversity message, likely because it is implicit in the narrative.
The book is an Amelia Bloomer Lists award winner for Beginning Readers Nonfiction of 2006. This list recommends feminist books for children.
November 19, 2017
Summary:
Marcenia Lyle is a young girl who is a very talented baseball player. Instead of playing the usual games girls play at recess such as hopscotch and jumprope, she heads out to the baseball field to play with all the boys. One day Mr. Street, who runs a baseball camp, comes to the field to recruit players for his camp. He acknowledges Marcenia’s talent but informs her that he does not take girls in his camp. Determined to show Mr. Street that she deserves to be at his camp, Marcenia continues to play her very best until he finally gives her a position at his camp. Throughout this story Marcenia faces the doubts of Mr. Street, as well as her parents, but because she wants to play baseball more than anything, she is able to prove everyone wrong.
Major Theme:
The main theme of this book is about going against gender stereotypes and never giving up on your dreams.
Personal Response:
I loved reading this book because I found it to be very empowering for girls. I think it is important for girls to see other girls succeeding in situations where they are not typically favored to succeed. I can relate to Marcenia in feeling like she had to prove herself in order to achieve her dreams.
Why I Recommend:
I would recommend this book for both boys and girls to read because it sends a great message of accepting people. It emphasizes the importance of not judging people before you give them a chance as well as never giving up when the odds are against you.
Marcenia Lyle is a young girl who is a very talented baseball player. Instead of playing the usual games girls play at recess such as hopscotch and jumprope, she heads out to the baseball field to play with all the boys. One day Mr. Street, who runs a baseball camp, comes to the field to recruit players for his camp. He acknowledges Marcenia’s talent but informs her that he does not take girls in his camp. Determined to show Mr. Street that she deserves to be at his camp, Marcenia continues to play her very best until he finally gives her a position at his camp. Throughout this story Marcenia faces the doubts of Mr. Street, as well as her parents, but because she wants to play baseball more than anything, she is able to prove everyone wrong.
Major Theme:
The main theme of this book is about going against gender stereotypes and never giving up on your dreams.
Personal Response:
I loved reading this book because I found it to be very empowering for girls. I think it is important for girls to see other girls succeeding in situations where they are not typically favored to succeed. I can relate to Marcenia in feeling like she had to prove herself in order to achieve her dreams.
Why I Recommend:
I would recommend this book for both boys and girls to read because it sends a great message of accepting people. It emphasizes the importance of not judging people before you give them a chance as well as never giving up when the odds are against you.
September 9, 2020
In this children’s biography, you are told the story about a young girl who has dreams of being a baseball player. With her parents wanting her to be like the other young girls her age, young Marcenia Lyle wants nothing more than to prove that she belongs on the field. After earning the respect of the local boys on her baseball team, she now has to prove that she belongs to some one bigger. Mr. Gaddy Street, the manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, is looking to fill up spots for his summer baseball camp, and Marcenia would love nothing more to attend. After being told multiple time by Mr. Street himself that his camp is only for boys, Marcenia stops at nothing to prove that she belongs. Marcenia "Toni Stone" later became the first female African-American baseball player.
I would recommend this story for grades 2/3. This book demonstrates idioms, even within the title. This book will open young readers minds to new vocabulary while pointing to new grammatical features and decoding phrases. This story can be used to reflect and open up questions about goals in life and focus on where hard work and perseverance can lead anyone. It shows that women can do whatever men can and the young reader should never let anyone stop their dream goals. This would be the perfect text to read during Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
I would recommend this story for grades 2/3. This book demonstrates idioms, even within the title. This book will open young readers minds to new vocabulary while pointing to new grammatical features and decoding phrases. This story can be used to reflect and open up questions about goals in life and focus on where hard work and perseverance can lead anyone. It shows that women can do whatever men can and the young reader should never let anyone stop their dream goals. This would be the perfect text to read during Black History Month and Women’s History Month.
December 10, 2020
Summary: A little girl named Marcenia dreams of playing baseball. It is what she cares about most, and not to mention, she is good! She plays with with the boys almost everyday. One day a man shows up at the baseball field they play at and is watching to see who he wants to invite to his free baseball camp. But Marcenia doesn't get invited, because he doesn't invite girls to his camp. Marcenia plays hard at the next couple of games and gets the man to invite her, but he says she has to have her own equipment. All she needs is a pair of cleats. But her family can't afford them. If you want to find out if Marcenia gets the cleats somehow, you should read the book.
Opinion: This book was pretty good. I'm not a huge baseball person, but I appreciate the theme of working hard to achieve your goals and putting your energy into what you are passionate about. I also liked how this is based off of the true story of the first female to play on an all-male professional ball team.
How I would use it: This would be a good book to use for women's history month because of the true story it is based off of. It also has some good verb vocabulary words that the students can learn as well because of all the actions in playing baseball.
Opinion: This book was pretty good. I'm not a huge baseball person, but I appreciate the theme of working hard to achieve your goals and putting your energy into what you are passionate about. I also liked how this is based off of the true story of the first female to play on an all-male professional ball team.
How I would use it: This would be a good book to use for women's history month because of the true story it is based off of. It also has some good verb vocabulary words that the students can learn as well because of all the actions in playing baseball.
April 6, 2019
There are a lot of books about girls wanting to play sports and boys not letting them, but here's the big difference: professional basketball for women exists. Women can have scholarships and win gold medals in track and field, wrestling, soccer, and so on. In what other sport do ambitious young women get sent to play...an entirely different sport? No offense at all to softball, but it isn't baseball and if anything the level playing field for women in baseball has gotten worse in recent years, not better.
Enter Toni Stone. As athletes to look up to go, she's a great one to pick. Here's someone who played professional baseball in the Negro Leagues, taking the spot of Hank Aaron when he left and getting a hit off Satchel Paige. I like that this story from her childhood is personal. Yes, she's a girl, yes, she's black, yes, there are barriers but it really is about her showing that she deserves to be there and that's the message our kids should take with them. A good, relatable story about a woman we don't hear enough about.
Enter Toni Stone. As athletes to look up to go, she's a great one to pick. Here's someone who played professional baseball in the Negro Leagues, taking the spot of Hank Aaron when he left and getting a hit off Satchel Paige. I like that this story from her childhood is personal. Yes, she's a girl, yes, she's black, yes, there are barriers but it really is about her showing that she deserves to be there and that's the message our kids should take with them. A good, relatable story about a woman we don't hear enough about.
February 11, 2021
This story follows a little girl who lives and breathes baseball and dreams of becoming a baseball player. However, girls are not expected to become anything except a nurse, teacher, or maid so she must fight to keep reaching for her dream. One day, she gets her chance and is able to prove herself, she gets invited to a baseball camp and after overcoming some obstacles she is able to play the sport she loves. Her determination and drive are great messages for young readers and the illustrations will keep all readers interested throughout the story. I like this book because it shows kids that if there is something they want with all their heart, if they work hard and put in the effort they are capable of reaching their dreams. Since this book is historical fiction it would be a great addition to the classroom because students would be able to see a new perspective on sports through the eyes of a young girl.
November 8, 2020
Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl's Baseball Dream is about Marcenia Lyle, a young girl who loves baseball. Her dream is to play baseball. One day at school St. Louis Cardinals manager Gabby Street came to watch them play. He is there to invite kids to his baseball camp, but he doesn't accept girls, this didn’t stop Marcenia from trying. This book tells the wonderful story of a girl doing everything she can to follow her dreams. As a future teacher, this would be a great book to include in any classroom. It would be a great lesson on following your dreams, baseball, or even women's rights. I think how I would use it is to teach a lesson on the history of baseball because this story is based on a real person. It would be fun then to take a class outside to play ball after learning about it.
September 6, 2018
Catching the Moon is a true story that is about a girl that has a baseball dream. She is the only girl on the team. Then she gets offered to go to a baseball camp and her parents don't let her go. Then she put her mind to going the camp and she made it happen.
I gave this book four stars because I think that it has a great storyline. I think this is a great book to read with students for many reasons.
I think this would be a good book to read to teach theme. The theme behind the book is to not give up. The little girl is very persistent in going to the baseball camp and she finally reaches her dream.
I gave this book four stars because I think that it has a great storyline. I think this is a great book to read with students for many reasons.
I think this would be a good book to read to teach theme. The theme behind the book is to not give up. The little girl is very persistent in going to the baseball camp and she finally reaches her dream.
November 14, 2017
"Catching the Moon" is about Marcenia Lyle as a child. Lyle was the first woman in history to play professional league baseball. This book is about when she was a young girl and how she started going to baseball camp. Despite money, family, friends, and gender norms, Lyle fought through the adversity to play the sport she loved.
I would totally recommend this book if you were wanting to talk about empowering women to follow their dreams. I love that this book focused on going against what was "normal" and making your dreams possible.
I would totally recommend this book if you were wanting to talk about empowering women to follow their dreams. I love that this book focused on going against what was "normal" and making your dreams possible.
May 30, 2018
Marcenia loves baseball and dreams of being a professional baseball player. Her family questions her love for baseball because it isn't what "typical girls" do. She isn't your girly girl; she is a tom boy. Marcenia doesn't let her spirit die, but her family wouldn't be the only challenge she had to face on this journey. Family, teammates, Mr. Street, and equipment all play barriers, but she is determined to achieve her dream. Kevin Costner and Jillian Estell did a wonderful job reading this text aloud on Storyline Online.
April 24, 2020
Genre: Biography
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Book Review: Who doesn’t love a good book about girl power? I love this girls persistence! I really enjoy this book because I believe that girls and women are constantly put down because we do not meet the standards of others. It especially gets to my heart strings when it’s a little girl pursuing her dreams! I hope when girls read this book they will know that with persistence, anything is achievable. I will be purchasing this book for my personal collection.
Grade Range: 3rd-4th
Book Review: Who doesn’t love a good book about girl power? I love this girls persistence! I really enjoy this book because I believe that girls and women are constantly put down because we do not meet the standards of others. It especially gets to my heart strings when it’s a little girl pursuing her dreams! I hope when girls read this book they will know that with persistence, anything is achievable. I will be purchasing this book for my personal collection.
May 17, 2020
Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book
Ages: 1st-5th
This is a true story about Baseball Hall of Famer, Marcenia “Toni Stone” Lyle Alberga. I had never heard this story before but it was such an inspiring read! Marcenia was extraordinarily good at baseball and did not let any obstacles get in her way. Because of her drive, determination, and amazing skill, she was invited to a baseball camp that was typically only for boys. I am interested in learning more about this woman's life. I think it would make for a very good discussion in a classroom.
Ages: 1st-5th
This is a true story about Baseball Hall of Famer, Marcenia “Toni Stone” Lyle Alberga. I had never heard this story before but it was such an inspiring read! Marcenia was extraordinarily good at baseball and did not let any obstacles get in her way. Because of her drive, determination, and amazing skill, she was invited to a baseball camp that was typically only for boys. I am interested in learning more about this woman's life. I think it would make for a very good discussion in a classroom.
November 5, 2020
Catching the Moon is a really cute story about following your dreams no matter what the odds are. I thought it was a really great retelling for kids about the story of a real baseball player, Marcenia Lyle. It is a great story with the important themes of facing adversity and staying true to yourself. It brings light to gender struggles in sports; girls aren't considered as seriously as boys when it comes to sports. And yet, through determination, Marcenia made people see her as a serious player which is an important message for young girls.
November 22, 2020
Date read: 11/20/2020
Date of review: 11/21/2020
Genre: Biography, Historical Fiction
Grade Range: 3-4
Sometimes stories are just inspirational. Against all odds (including disbelief from others, lack of resources, etc.) a young girl is able to achieve her unlikely dream. I was especially moved by the fact that this book is based on a true story. Overcoming difficult circumstances is one of the things that I find especially moving, and I think there are plenty of students will be very inspired by such a great story.
Date of review: 11/21/2020
Genre: Biography, Historical Fiction
Grade Range: 3-4
Sometimes stories are just inspirational. Against all odds (including disbelief from others, lack of resources, etc.) a young girl is able to achieve her unlikely dream. I was especially moved by the fact that this book is based on a true story. Overcoming difficult circumstances is one of the things that I find especially moving, and I think there are plenty of students will be very inspired by such a great story.
February 28, 2022
This one is based on a true story of a Black female baseball player and how she went against conventions of the time to play baseball because WOF how much she loved the game. Also a bit about limits due to lower income status as her family doesn’t have the money for her to get baseball cleats and embrace her passion.
Notes: read aloud on StorylineOnline. Based on True story. Black joy. Women. Women in sports. Black women. MN connection - grew up in St Paul Rondo neighborhood from age 10-17ish.
Notes: read aloud on StorylineOnline. Based on True story. Black joy. Women. Women in sports. Black women. MN connection - grew up in St Paul Rondo neighborhood from age 10-17ish.
December 12, 2017
I loved this book! The pictures were beautiful, but the story was even better. Usually any story about a sport is focused around a boy, especially one like baseball. It was nice to read a story that shows that girls can play any sport a boy can. Instead of focusing around princesses and dress up like most stories with a girl main character do, this story gave a little bit more recognition for that girl that wants to get herself dirty.
July 30, 2020
I am so glad that there is a book about this because it truly is a story that makes history and is something young learners should definitely learn about! This is the story of Marcenia Lyle, a young girl who dreamed of playing baseball. She worked hard her whole life, even when people gave her a hard time. This is the courageous journey of the first woman to play for a professional baseball team.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews