Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy

by Phil Bildner

Book Overview

This inspirational picture book is based on the true story of Shoeless Joe Jackson and his bat, two of the greatest players in baseball history.

Some say Shoeless Joe Jackson was the greatest hitter ever. But Shoeless Joe had a partner: his bat, Black Betsy. And if not for the faithful Black Betsy, Joe might never even have made it to the major leagues.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0689874375
• ISBN13: 9780689874376
• Release Date: March 2006
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 8.7" x 11.4"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

the best book

I thought the book was very touching because he loved the game so much he would play without shoes.he also loved his bat Black Besty. All of the famous hitters copied his swing.

Joe Jackson and his Partner, Betsy.....

"Shoeless Joe Jackson once played an entire baseball game in his stocking feet. That's why they called him Shoeless Joe. Some say he was the greatest baseball player ever. Even the mighty Babe Ruth copied his swing. But what most people don't know is just how Shoeless Joe became such a great hitter..." So begins Phil Bildner's engaging tale about Joe Jackson's infamous bat, Betsy. It was a hitting slump that sent Joe to bat smith, Charlie Ferguson. He wanted a special bat that "pitchers are going to honor and respect" and he knew Ol' Charlie was the man to make it. After several trials and errors, Betsy came to life, 36 inches long, and 48 ounces, she was made out of hickory from the strong, north side of the tree, and stained black with tobacco juice to "make her dark and scary-looking." And with the help of Betsy at the plate, Shoeless Joe Jackson batted .408 his rookie year. "And to this day, no rookie has ever had a finer year than Shoeless Joe." Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy is more fable than biography, and Mr Bildner takes a lot of liberties with the facts. But his text is entertaining, and filled with humor and lots of back woods colloquialisms that make this picture book perfect for reading aloud. C. F. Payne's marvelously expressive and detailed illustrations are captivating, and add just the right touch of drama to bring the story to life. With a comprehensive Afterword and "baseball card" full of facts, figures, and statistics to complete the story, Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy is a fine debut that is sure to whet the appetite of baseball fans 5-10, and send them out looking for more.

Pleasure to read/use in class

"Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy" sets us in the Carolinas, where Shoeless Joe, before he makes his record-setting Rookie year, talks to the best bat maker in the state to make him a bat to get out of his horrid slump. Through much trial and error, Joe finds the perfect bat. The plot was very clear, but I had to say this is one of the best books I've seen in review for my Teaching Reading course.The slang use is very realistic and open, and the way it repeated itself drew the children into the story. The illustrations are beautiful to the eye and fit well into the "back woods" feel of the story, mostly set in the Bat Maker's shack.The book takes more then a few liberties with the truth - but they make the story more entertaining. The authors explain where they stretched the facts in a two-page story explanation, which includes Joe's involvement in the Black Sox scandal, and followed by another beautiful full-page drawing by C. F. Payne and a full career statistics.I recommend this book - a student with an interest in baseball will eat this up. Students who like different stories, or who like when they are read to in an odd accent will want more. I hope there will be, with so many great baseball stories out there.