Willy's Raiders

by Jack Gantos

Book Overview

Willy's Raiders, who always play fair and square, prove the good guys always win when they go up for the championship against the Weasels, who resort to dirty tricks. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0819310158
• ISBN13: 9780819310156
• Release Date: January 1980
• Publisher: Parents Magazine Press
• Length: 31 Pages
• Weight: 0.46 lbs.
• Age Range: 4 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

Just like I remembered...

Willy's Raiders was my favorite bed-time story for years. The good guy/bad guy aspect is fun for little kids (along with the good guys winning!), and with an enthusiastic and expressive reader such as my father, the story really came to life. Add the fact that we spent lots of time at the baseball field, I had my own pink ball-glove and uniform, and used to have batting practice on a regular basis, one could imagine that a baseball story was sure to capture my attention - even being a little girl! On the flip side, this book is certainly dated! I purchased it this many years later to give to a friend who is expecting a baby boy. When I read through it again, I noticed that Willy goes to have a healthy pre-game meal and it is two hot-dogs, etc.! This made me laugh. I am sure that some "green" or overly health conscious parents would find that distastful. There are other aspects that dated the book, but nothing to write home about. Overall, this ia a great out-of-print book to collect for the original artwork and fun story. For me, it was nostalgia that brought me back to it; my father, the games, the hot-dogs at the stadium. Probably best suited for little boys or little girls who show an interest in sports at an early age.

A classic!

This was my son's favorite book when he was young (he's now 38!) I kept it and have read it every year to my preschool students, and now it is 2009 and it is still a favorite! ( As a volunteer at the children's shelter, older children like to read this story to me!) The children sit forward while listening, shudder at the word "stupid" and cheer with relief and wild abandon when Willy's team shows that sportsmanship and faith in following the rules eventually prevails! I have purchased copy after copy of this book ( 4 at the latest count,) as it has been "borrowed, lifted, and disappeared" from my shelves, and I will buy another one or two, as I have grandchildren now. I may be a really good oral reader of books, but I know this book stands on it's own! It is a true classic!