The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True - Hardcover

Negron, Ray

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0060898704 ISBN 13: 9780060898700

Publisher: HarperCollins, 2006

Synopsis

Young Michael Steel loves to watch the New York Yankees on TV—from his hospital bed. Michael has brain cancer. But when Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano visits Michael in the hospital, Michael embarks on an unexpected and wonderful journey when he becomes a Yankee batboy for a day. It's his baseball dream come true!

When Michael's illness makes him weak on the field, can he be strong enough to fulfill his batboy duties and make his new teammates proud? With a little help from Yankee greats Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle, Michael Steel earns his nickname "The Boy of Steel" and learns a very important lesson: Never stop fighting!

Laura Seeley's vibrant, action-packed illustrations illuminate Ray Negron's touching and triumphant story, and children and parents alike will root for Michael as they learn about baseball, cancer, and a life lesson we all need to know. With a foreword by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, The Boy of Steel will be a hit with your little baseball fan.

About this title

About the Author:

Ray Negron is the author of the New York Times bestseller The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True, as well as two other children's picture books. He was a Yankees batboy, played minor league ball, and worked for the Cleveland Indians. He currently works with the Yankees as a special advisor on community relations for Hank Steinbrenner and Randy Levine. In addition, he is the producer of the animated film Henry & Me. He lives in Florida with his four children.

Laura Seeley is the author and illustrator of the award-winning books The Book of Shadowboxes and The Magical Moonballs, and the illustrator for Ray Negron's trilogy, including The Boy of Steel. She owns Best Friends Art Gallery in Dana Point, California.

Review:

“Being a dad, this is the type of story that I would really want to share with my child.” (Baseball Hall-of-Famer Reggie Jackson)

“I was moved by The Boy of Steel. As a cancer survivor, I know the fear that cancer patients experience.” (Darryl Strawberry)

“I encourage all parents to read The Boy of Steel to their kids. It will promote awareness of cancer.” (Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox, who lost his mother to cancer in December 2004)

“A clear, concise, compelling account of real mental toughness in a young child ... A necessary addition to elementary school libraries.” (Dr. Charlie Maher, Professor of Psychology, Rutgers University and team psychologist for the Cleveland Indians and Cleveland Cavaliers)

“... powerful messages ranging from mental toughness to teamwork ... engaging ... promotes interaction between parents and children.” (Don Kalkstein, sports psychologist for the Texas Rangers and Dallas Mavericks)

“The Boy of Steel is moving and smart, a triumph.” (Jeremy Schaap, ESPN, author of Cinderella Man)

“Extremely inspirational. Kids . . . will get the courage to do anything that they want in life.” (Hideki Matsui, New York Yankees)

“To call The Boy of Steel ‘heartwarming and inspirational’ is an understatement for this wonderful book.” (Carvin Winans of the gospel singing group The Winans)

“Masterfully walks a tightrope between fantasy and reality, teaching hard lessons about illness while simultaneously entertaining . . . a must-read.” (Ken Davidoff, national baseball writer, Newsday)

About this edition

• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Publication date: 2006
• ISBN 10: 0060898704
• ISBN 13: 9780060898700
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48
• Illustrator: Seeley Laura