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jwinchell's review against another edition
5.0
This is on the 2014 Monarch list.
Our entire family loved this one. The boys loved the story of the brothers working together and Alfred's experience losing an eye. They liked picking up clues from the illustrations (which are great). My husband and I loved learning another nook of history--baseball history! Those Acerras were something else. Such a cool non-fiction picture book read.
Our entire family loved this one. The boys loved the story of the brothers working together and Alfred's experience losing an eye. They liked picking up clues from the illustrations (which are great). My husband and I loved learning another nook of history--baseball history! Those Acerras were something else. Such a cool non-fiction picture book read.
beths0103's review against another edition
5.0
Originally reviewed here.
The Acerra family is big. Sixteen children big. And with twelve sons, big enough to form their own baseball team. Which is exactly what they did. From the 1930s-1950s, this band of brothers played semi-pro ball and competed all throughout New Jersey.
Despite the fact that from the 1860s - 1940s, there were 29 known all-brother baseball teams, the Acerras made history by playing longer than any other. Audrey Vernick tells their story with great care and admiration for their accomplishment.
Truth be told, I don't even really like baseball that much. I picked up this book because I adore Audrey's writing. She has shown time and again that for her, it's not just about the story. She works really hard to craft a narrative full of voice: whether it's silly humor in her Buffalo books, or quiet respect and reverence as with her nonfiction picture books like She Loved Baseball and now Brothers at Bat. And to write such a brief narrative full of voice is no simple task, but Audrey is a master at it.
From the opening sentence, Audrey sets the perfect tone to help the reader settle in and enjoy the journey. Often when I read picture books to my sixth graders, not everyone enjoys the stories. There's always a handful of students who have something critical to say. But with every Audrey Vernick picture book I have read, each one of my students have always written glowing responses. Brothers at Bat was no different.
As far as the illustrations go, Audrey Vernick manages to luck out with amazing illustrators for all of her books. While my favorite illustrator of her books continues to be Daniel Jennewein for my own biased reasons, Steven Salerno is no slouch either. He captures the endearing and friendly qualities of the Acerra family in his illustrations and after reading the author's note about Freddie inviting Audrey over for dinner to interview him for this book, and reading the end of the book where even a broken down bus doesn't get them down, I don't doubt the Acerra family is anything but delightful.
The Acerra family is big. Sixteen children big. And with twelve sons, big enough to form their own baseball team. Which is exactly what they did. From the 1930s-1950s, this band of brothers played semi-pro ball and competed all throughout New Jersey.
Despite the fact that from the 1860s - 1940s, there were 29 known all-brother baseball teams, the Acerras made history by playing longer than any other. Audrey Vernick tells their story with great care and admiration for their accomplishment.
Truth be told, I don't even really like baseball that much. I picked up this book because I adore Audrey's writing. She has shown time and again that for her, it's not just about the story. She works really hard to craft a narrative full of voice: whether it's silly humor in her Buffalo books, or quiet respect and reverence as with her nonfiction picture books like She Loved Baseball and now Brothers at Bat. And to write such a brief narrative full of voice is no simple task, but Audrey is a master at it.
From the opening sentence, Audrey sets the perfect tone to help the reader settle in and enjoy the journey. Often when I read picture books to my sixth graders, not everyone enjoys the stories. There's always a handful of students who have something critical to say. But with every Audrey Vernick picture book I have read, each one of my students have always written glowing responses. Brothers at Bat was no different.
As far as the illustrations go, Audrey Vernick manages to luck out with amazing illustrators for all of her books. While my favorite illustrator of her books continues to be Daniel Jennewein for my own biased reasons, Steven Salerno is no slouch either. He captures the endearing and friendly qualities of the Acerra family in his illustrations and after reading the author's note about Freddie inviting Audrey over for dinner to interview him for this book, and reading the end of the book where even a broken down bus doesn't get them down, I don't doubt the Acerra family is anything but delightful.
shawnareads24's review against another edition
5.0
The Acerra family had enough boys to make their own baseball team! This is a story not only about this historical family but also about family values. A quick read that baseball lovers will certainly enjoy, but so will others!
heetlibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful true story read with a vintage feel about an all brother baseball team!
crystal_reading's review against another edition
4.0
Very engaging story. The old-fashioned illustrations are fantastic too.
a_manning11's review against another edition
3.0
This is a story well worth reading. The true story of an all-brothers baseball team is fun and inspiring. Firmly placed in its historical period, the story includes the 1939 World Fair and World War II, but the center of the story are the brothers who stick together and show sportsmanship. The story ends in the present with later generations of the family.
A note at the back of the book is accompanied by a photo of the true team, the 12 Acerra boys (the family had 16 children, the four daughters didn't play).
Somehow I didn't appreciate the illustrations. I can't quite put my finger on it, but they remind me of something. - Maybe it's just that the book is aimed at boys, and I'm not a boy.
I appreciated the illustration of the brothers going to war. Below the six brothers in uniform, the page shows a part of the globe, with fighter planes and battle ships crossing both oceans, heading to the war in Europe and Asia. This illustration conveys a lot of information is a basic and appealing way.
A note at the back of the book is accompanied by a photo of the true team, the 12 Acerra boys (the family had 16 children, the four daughters didn't play).
Somehow I didn't appreciate the illustrations. I can't quite put my finger on it, but they remind me of something. - Maybe it's just that the book is aimed at boys, and I'm not a boy.
I appreciated the illustration of the brothers going to war. Below the six brothers in uniform, the page shows a part of the globe, with fighter planes and battle ships crossing both oceans, heading to the war in Europe and Asia. This illustration conveys a lot of information is a basic and appealing way.
wiseowl33's review against another edition
4.0
Awesome book! The kids were amazed by this story. Loved it!
shighley's review against another edition
5.0
I saw this recommended in USA Today in a story about baseball books for kids. I really enjoy books that help me discover interesting, real-life stories, whether they are picture books or full length. While reading this, kids will also learn about life in an earlier time. The pictures are very well done, the text is not too long, but not too brief, and the appendix at the end includes some photos and explanations. Kids will probably be amazed to learn that families with 16 children were not all that unusual a century ago. Great book to use with students.
kellkie's review against another edition
4.0
Even for someone that is not an avid baseball fan, this is a great story. The illustrations have a vintage feel to them, setting the tone for the tale of this one of a kind baseball family. I love the spotlight and quotes from some of the brothers and the overall theme of teamwork and togetherness.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
Feb. 2012 Book Fair selection
Great story, wonderful illustrations! This story is about the Acerra brothers who formed an all-brother baseball team. It is a great historical story and the illustrations are reminiscent of picture book illustrations from decades ago. Boys and sports enthusiasts will enjoy this story.
Great story, wonderful illustrations! This story is about the Acerra brothers who formed an all-brother baseball team. It is a great historical story and the illustrations are reminiscent of picture book illustrations from decades ago. Boys and sports enthusiasts will enjoy this story.