The Bat Boy and His Violin by Gavin Curtis

Title: The Bat Boy and His Violin

Category: Award Winner

Author: Gavin Curtis

Publisher/Year: Aladdin (1998)

Genre: Historical Fiction, Multicultural

Awards:

• Coretta Scott King Honor (1999)

Pages: 32pp

Summary: Reginald is a boy who loves to play the violin but his dad thinks it's a waste of time playing a "fiddle". Reginald goes with his dad, who is the coach of a team in the Negro National League, to the baseball games to help as the bat boy. He soon starts playing the violin during the game and the team improves and is unstoppable throughout the season. Will they win their last big game with Reginald's musical help?

Comments: A really cute book about a boy who can love music more than sports. The boy is persistant and confident in his talents and dreams even when his dad teases him about it.

Classroom Application:
Lexile: 700L
Age:  5-10 years old
This is a neat look at the Negro National League right before they disbanded and the black and whites played together. It would be neat to use during a study of the Civil Rights.