The Streak: how Joe DiMaggio became America's hero by Barb Rosenstock

The Streak:  how Joe DiMaggio became America's hero by Barb Rosenstock. Illustrated by Terry Widener. Calkins Creek/ Boyds Mills Press, March 1, 2014. 9781590789926. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)

I chose this in honor of baseball season opening this week.

In 1941, the war that would be World War II was raging in Europe. That summer was to be the last summer of peace in the United States and it was also the summer that Yankee great, Joe DiMaggio had a hit in 56 consecutive games. Batters often have a routine they perform before they're ready for a pitch. It might involve some sort of tic or sequence of swings, or tapping the bat on the plate. Not Joe, according to this highly readable account of that season. He spoke with his bat, which he named Betsy. 

Baseball players are notoriously superstitious. But when Betsy was stolen when his streak stood at 41, he found himself hitless the first three times at bat. Then he grabbed another bat that teammate Tommy Henrich offered and hit number 42. And he kept on hitting. Betsy was found. He kept on hitting. Betsy broke and he kept on hitting.

The illustrations, in earth tones, are not terribly detailed but convey the period details such as the baggie uniforms and a variety of stances and baseball action scenes. The font of the number of hits and the word, streak, are red and leap out of the black of the other words on the page. 

A two-page Author's Note follows the narrative and includes additional hitting statistics as well as historical context. There are also quotes from the press as well as other ball players scattered throughout. Two concluding pages provide source notes, a lengthy bibliography suggesting books, articles, video and websites. 

A fine read aloud to kick off baseball season or to give to young baseball enthusiasts.