Publisher Description

Illustrated by Dom Lee A Japanese-American boy discovers hope and self-respect while playing baseball at an internment camp during World War II.

Author Biography

Ken Mochizuki is a writer, journalist, and former actor who made his picture-book debut with Baseball Saved Us. He is also the author of several other award-winning picture books published by Lee & Low, including Passage to Freedom and Heroes. Mochizuki lives in Maple Valley, Washington. His website is kenmochizuki.com. Dom Lee made his picture-book debut with Baseball Saved Us. He grew up in Seoul, South Korea, and went on to illustrate books in both the United States and Korea. His titles for Lee & Low include Ken Mochizuki's Passage to Freedom and Heroes, as well as the award-winning Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds. Lee's unique illustration style involves applying encaustic beeswax on paper, then scratching out images, and finally coloring the images with oil paint. Lee and his wife live in Hollis, New York.

Review

"Author Ken Mochizuki and artist Dom Lee tell a terrific children's story. They tell a modern one - tender and tough and most of all: true." -- The Asian Reporter "Prepossessing debut. . .stirring illustrations." -- Publishers Weekly "Splendidly evocative. . .. Fine debuts for author, illustrator." -- Kirkus Reviews "Powerful." -- School Library JournalCCBC Choices - Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)

Long Description

Baseball Saved Us--the groundbreaking children's book about the Japanese American concentration camp experience during World War II After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, Shorty and his family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, have been forced to relocate from their home to Camp. One day Shorty's dad looks out across the desert and decides they should build a baseball field. Fighting the heat, dust, and freezing cold nights, the prisoners need something to look forward to, even if only for nine innings. So in this unlikely place, surrounded by barbed-wire fences and guards in towers, a baseball league is born. And Shorty soon finds that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect. Inspired by a long-hidden and shameful part of America's past, and the people who triumphed over it, this modern classic remains a moving story of hope, courage, and endurance. The new 25th Anniversary Edition features an updated cover and author's note.

Review Quote

"Author Ken Mochizuki and artist Dom Lee tell a terrific children's story. They tell a modern one - tender and tough and most of all: true." -- Asian Reporter "Prepossessing debut...stirring illustrations." -- Publishers Weekly "Splendidly evocative.... Fine debuts for author, illustrator." -- Kirkus Reviews "Powerful." -- School Library Journal Best Multicultural Title - Cuffies Award, Publisher's Weekly Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Editor's Choice, San Francisco Chronicle Not Just for Children Anymore Selection, Children's Book Council

Description for Teachers/Educators

Awards "Choices" Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) "Editor's Choice" San Francisco Chronicle Not Just For Children Anymore Selection Children's Book Center (CBC) 50 Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know 2001 Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Best Multicultural Title Cuffies Award Publisher's Weekly Interest Level Grades 1 - 6 Reading Level Grade 3 Themes Discrimination, Sports, United States History, War Accelerated Reader Level: 3.9 Points: .5

Details