Jason and the Baseball Bear - Hardcover

Elish, Dan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0531058689 ISBN 13: 9780531058688

Publisher: Orchard Books, 1990

Synopsis

Fourth-grader Jason, the only member of his Little League team who can talk with animals, improves his team's chances to win the championship with the help of an elderly polar bear named Whitney

About this title

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-6-- Jason Munson is the only fourth-grade ballplayer on the Apaches, but he rides the bench--until his batting average shoots sky high, thanks to the coaching advice of his friend Whitney, a polar bear at the city zoo. Whitney has made himself a baseball maven by collecting baseball cards and reading the sports pages of newspapers he has rescued from the trash. Among Whitney's companions are a Shakespeare-spouting gnu, a hissing but harmless python, and a rambunctious gorilla. Only Jason can communicate with this eccentric menagerie, but it isn't long before the secret of his baseball success gets out; he then worries that Whitney won't be able to attend the climactic game between his team and their arch rivals. Little Leaguers may enjoy this amusing fantasy, but more demanding readers may find the outcome less than surprising. There are a number of witty touches, however, such as the gnu's pep talk to the team before the big game (translated by Jason), in which he invokes the Gettysburg Address to spur the Apaches on to victory. While not destined to be a baseball classic, the book is entertaining. --James Witham, Lexington Public Library, KY
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly

Fourth-grader Jason benefits from the training tips of a large, furry baseball coach--who gives new meaning to a team of Bruins. Ages 7-11.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Orchard Books
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0531058689
• ISBN 13: 9780531058688
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 147
• Illustrator: Stadler John