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mindfullibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
An outstanding example of middle grade historical fiction. This book will appeal to sports enthusiasts and history buffs alike, along with any kids who just like reading books about strong characters with an interesting story to tell! The story was fascinating and fast-paced and kept me engaged for the entire time. The author's note at the end does an excellent job of explaining the historical accuracy of the events of the story, which is especially important to me as a librarian. I honestly can't comment much about the baseball aspects of the book, given my lack of familiarity with the sport, but the author's note helps with the historical significance, and I know students will love the sport storyline.Highly recommended for all middle grade libraries and classrooms as a new look at WWII-era America from the unique perspective of Mexican-Indian families. I will be handing this to our 5th grade teacher and telling her it should be her first read aloud for next school year! The only thing I would change about this book might be the cover, as I don't think the illustration conveys the historical or seriousness of the topics within.
Note: I also love the author's book "Book Uncle and Me" - a VERY different type of story, but also middle grade.
I received a digital ARC of this title for review ~ all opinions are my own.
Note: I also love the author's book "Book Uncle and Me" - a VERY different type of story, but also middle grade.
I received a digital ARC of this title for review ~ all opinions are my own.
molly_dettmann's review against another edition
3.0
A cute, historical-fiction book about Maria, a Punjabi-Mexican American girl, living during the end of WWII. Lots of discussion about race, war, and prejudice. Maria also wants to play softball and her working towards that goal plays a big part in her character development. For younger readers and fans of sports and historical fiction from a different perspective.
theshenners's review against another edition
5.0
A touching story of a young Punjabi-Mexican American girl pursuing her dream of playing softball and finding her voice to stand up for what is right, despite the pressures and limitations of the prevailing norms of her environment.
milkklotz's review against another edition
4.0
This youth book packs a lot of history and encouragement for young marginalized girls.
I enjoyed it.
This counts in the UWF Reading program in the Leadership Development category from 2019 list.
I enjoyed it.
This counts in the UWF Reading program in the Leadership Development category from 2019 list.
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Maria's very progressive fifth grade teacher has decided to start a girls' softball team and Maria wants to be on it more than anything! First she needs to convince her parents. Maria's mother is Mexican-American and her father is Punjabi. Their community in Yuba City, CA in 1945 is full of many of these adha-adha (half and half) families. It will take some convincing for them to let her wear shorts and her little brother is too young to walk home from school by himself. This is not the only battle that Maria faces as World War II drags on. There are ration cards and scrap metal collections, as well as worries about community members fighting overseas. They rent their home from a man with German ancestry, and when prejudice against him has him wanting to move, they fear they will lose everything. Maria isn't perfect. She often makes bad choices, even though her intentions are good. Readers will be rooting for her, both at bat and at home. Highly recommended for grades 4 and up!
I was fascinated to learn of a community that mixed cultures so fluidly in 1945. The Punjabi men came to America to make a better life for themselves, but were forbidden from marrying outside of their race. Women from India were not allowed into the US at the time. They found wives among the Mexican American community instead. (Because race is social construct, they all identified as "brown.") It is my understanding that Yuba City was the only place that this Mexican-Punjabi culture existed, with Catholics, Sikhs, and Muslims all living together as one.
I was fascinated to learn of a community that mixed cultures so fluidly in 1945. The Punjabi men came to America to make a better life for themselves, but were forbidden from marrying outside of their race. Women from India were not allowed into the US at the time. They found wives among the Mexican American community instead. (Because race is social construct, they all identified as "brown.") It is my understanding that Yuba City was the only place that this Mexican-Punjabi culture existed, with Catholics, Sikhs, and Muslims all living together as one.
abigailbat's review against another edition
3.0
A WWII homefront story unlike one I've read before, set in California among families of Mexican and Indian immigrants. Maria longs to play baseball, even though it's just newly becoming something girls can do and her conservative Sikh father doesn't like the idea of her playing. As the War rages across the ocean, Maria will come to question who's a friend and who's an enemy and how the idea of that can change depending on your perspective.
Although I found the characters and setting interesting, I think this book maybe set out to do a little too much and the pacing wasn't consistent. There were sometimes long parts where baseball was ignored in favor of exploring the relationships between the people in Maria's community.
I would suggest this book more for fans of historical fiction, especially fans of WWII homefront stories who have read a lot of them and are looking for something different. Sports fans will find something to appreciate here, but I don't think this book has as much sports action as most sports readers are looking for.
Although I found the characters and setting interesting, I think this book maybe set out to do a little too much and the pacing wasn't consistent. There were sometimes long parts where baseball was ignored in favor of exploring the relationships between the people in Maria's community.
I would suggest this book more for fans of historical fiction, especially fans of WWII homefront stories who have read a lot of them and are looking for something different. Sports fans will find something to appreciate here, but I don't think this book has as much sports action as most sports readers are looking for.
libraryrobin's review against another edition
3.0
Many interesting layers in this story. In the 1940s, a young California girl finds that she loves playing on the school's softball team. This brings conflicts with her parents (Mexican Catholic mother and Sikh father from India) and among her classmates of various backgrounds. Then there are overlaying historical events that affect her world; a classmate's father is killed in Normandy, Indian immigrants are trying to persuade Congress to allow them to become US citizens, distrust of people with German heritage, and discrimination/racism. A lot of heavy topics for a kid's book but they're handled well.
jeannemurray3gmailcom's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book as a part of the UMW Reading Program. I think it is an exceptional book in that it shows racial relations in California during World War 2. The main character is a young girl who learns that adults will even listen to young people when they are standing up for a good cause. I highly recommend this book.
shelbyl's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t like to read books with WWII settings, but my 9 yo daughter read this first and said “I should read it”, so I did. I’m really happy I read it. I haven’t read a book about the Mexican/Indian experience in the 30’s, from the view of a child. Eye opening and interesting. Sad to think it wasn’t that long ago. Bonus that it was based in a town near my hometown. I’m glad my daughter is being exposed to these stories.