Module 10 – Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy by Phil Bildner

1. Citation – Bildner, Phil. Shoeless Joe and Black Betsy. Simon & Schuster Books for young people (New York). c2002. (ISBN: 0689829132).
   
2. Summary- This is a biography of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and his bat "Black Betsy". Throughout the book, Joe tries to overcome his difficulty hitting by commissioning his own bat. After several versions, he names the final bat "Black Betsy". The story catalogues his life with important events and personal baseball statistics in a narrative format. The book concludes with an afterword with a more textbook style summary of Joe's life.
   
3. Impressions of the Book – This book was a unique take on the personal history of a sports figure. The story makes his struggle to be the best player possible very real to the reader. It also does not cover up any of the trouble he experienced at the end of his career, both on the field and as a coach. After reading the book, it is hard to imagine that he was banned from
   

   ever playing the game again. His passion and love for the game were demonstrated within the story, and continue his legacy to new baseball fans.
   

4. Reviews – by R. Hansen "Saint Stryfe" retrieved from Amazon.com
   

   Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy" sets us in the Carolinas, where Shoeless Joe, before he makes his record-setting Rookie year, talks to the best bat maker in the state to make him a bat to get out of his horrid slump. Through much trial and error, Joe finds the perfect bat. The plot was very clear, but I had to say this is one of the best books I've seen in review for my Teaching Reading course.
   

   The slang use is very realistic and open, and the way it repeated itself drew the children into the story. The illustrations are beautiful to the eye and fit well into the "back woods" feel of the story, mostly set in the Bat Maker's shack.
   

   The book takes more then a few liberties with the truth - but they make the story more entertaining. The authors explain where they stretched the facts in a two-page story explanation, which includes Joe's involvement in the Black Sox scandal, and followed by another beautiful full-page drawing by C. F. Payne and a full career statistics.
   

   I recommend this book - a student with an interest in baseball will eat this up. Students who like different stories, or who like when they are read to in an odd accent will want more. I hope there will be, with so many great baseball stories out there. –R. Hansen
   

   
    

   
    

5. Use in a library setting – This would be a wonderful book to display during the World Series or possibly in a booktalk (Elementary level) on following your dreams as a theme.