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Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team



Last updated Thursday, November 8, 2012

Author: Audrey Vernick
Illustrator: Steven Salerno
Date of Publication: 2012
ISBN: 0547385579
Grade Level: 1st    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Nov. 2012

Synopsis: The Acerra family had sixteen children, including twelve ball-playing boys. It was the 1930s, and many families had lots of kids. But only one had enough to field a baseball team . . . with three on the bench! The Acerras were the longest-playing all-brother team in baseball history. They loved the game, but more important, they cared for and supported each other and stayed together as a team. Nothing life threw their way could stop them.

Note to readers:
•  Read the author's note at the end of the book.

Discussion topics for before reading:
•  Do you have any brothers or sisters? How many?
•  Do you like baseball? Do you like to play it? What is your favorite team?
•  Who is your favorite player?
•  Have you been to a baseball game?

Vocabulary:
•  New Jersey- a state on the East Coast of America (see p. 24)
•  Atlantic Ocean- the body of water on the East Coast of America
•  Rhythm- movement with a patterned repetition of a beat
•  World's Fair- a big exposition where culture, technology, and art are displayed
•  Generations- sets of brothers and sisters
•  Knuckleball- a way of throwing a ball so that it is unpredictable and difficult to hit

Discussion topics for during/after reading:
•  Do you know anyone who has joined the Army,. Marines, Air force, the Coast Guard, or the Navy?
•  Do you know who Babe Ruth or Willie Mays is?
•  What do you do for fun when you're with your family?

Craft ideas:
•  Draw and design a team Jersey
•  Make a baseball card of you or your favorite player.
•  Make a pendant out of construction paper for a team you create or for your favorite team.

Special activities:
•  Make up a team with your own family and friends, and assign each player a number and a position

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!