Recently, Addie and I stumbled across Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy at the public library. The book was written by Bill Wise and the illustrator is Adam Gustavson.
Addie and I really like to read biographies. I think it's important for her to learn about people who have gone before us and made a difference in the world around them.
William Hoy is just such a person. After an illness left him deaf at the age of three, Hoy later attended the Ohio School for the Deaf and learned American Sign Language. He also joined the school baseball team! When he graduated in 1879, Hoy went to work as an apprentice at a shoemaker's shop.
The book emphasizes Hoy's strong work ethic and makes it a point to mention that he soon OWNED the shop. (I love it when hard work and excellence are praised in children's stories--too many children believe that celebrity status comes with luck and ease.)
William Hoy was soon discovered by a baseball scout who stumbled upon a pick-up game on the lot behind his shoe shop. After playing in a minor league team for a while, Hoy was signed by the Cincinnati Reds.
"Of the tens of thousands of players who have made their careers in major league baseball, William Ellsworth "Dummy" Hoy ranks in the top twenty-five in the following all-time career statistics: stolen bases, assists by an outfielder, and double plays by an outfielder."We both loved the story and the illustrations. The Droegemeller girls give this book two thumbs up! :)
No comments:
Post a Comment
I love reading your comments!