Baseball History for Kids: America at Bat from 1900 to Today, with 19 Activities

Gr 5–8—Panchyk relates the history of what is often referred to as America's great pastime in an entertaining and engaging manner. This author does a superb job of condensing more than 100 years of the sport into a fascinating and readable text. Interwoven throughout are 19 baseball-related activities that will inspire or reinforce a love and knowledge of the game, such as preparing Cracker Jack and calculating a player's batting average. In addition, students will gain valuable insight into famous legends and secondary figures through stories or quotes about approximately 175 major leaguers. Perhaps most enjoyable are the historic tidbits that shed light on the sport today. Overviews briefly discuss issues such as the dead ball era, the reserve clause, segregation, and steroid use. Numerous black-and-white photographs and reproductions enhance the text.