Coaching Ms. Parker

Mike Fisher agrees to coach his teacher for the annual teacher-student baseball game and, in return, gets special help with his journal assignments that bolsters his appreciation for reading and writing.

Grade 3-4-- A slight story that will strike a familiar note in all those who have ever witnessed a faculty vs. student ballgame. Fourth grader Mike helps Ms. Parker learn to play baseball; in exchange, she urges him to work on what he finds difficult--reading for pleasure and writing in a journal. The plot progresses steadily and conversation between characters is realistic and often humorous. Readers will sense Mike's nervousness on the day of the game and understand his ambiguity about wanting his teacher to make a good showing, but also his feeling of loyalty to the team of students on which his sister is a player. Pen-and-ink illustrations are animated and cartoonlike. An adequate, easy-to-read selection. --Blair Christolon, Prince William Lib . , Manassas, VA
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

When Ms. Parker learns she must play in the annual baseball game between the faculty and the sixth graders, she panics. But her fourth-grade students--led by star player Mike--insist on coaching her in the sport. Ms. Parker, in turn, goes out of her way to offer encouragement to Mike, who can't seem to get excited about reading. The caring teacher neatly condenses the novel's message when she describes the school as "a two-way street. We trust and help each other here." In that spirit, Mike loans Ms. Parker his beloved glove for the big game, and she does her young trainers proud. This first children's book by Heymsfeld, a reading teacher who was recruited to play in similar ball games, clearly demonstrates a deep knowledge of and affection for kids. Ending on a jubilant note, this lively saga will be a hit with Little Leaguers of both sexes--even those who share Mike's hesitation about reading. O'Conor's pert drawings evince an appropriately sportive spirit. Ages 8-10.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The biggest event at Westbend Elementary is the annual teachers vs. sixth-grade baseball game. When the fourth grade discovers that their teacher dreads the humiliation of the match, they volunteer to coach her, led by their best player, Mike. Ms. Parker isn't an apt student; at first, the kids are in despair at her klutzy efforts, and the sixth graders do win the game, but Ms. Parker doesn't disgrace herself--she even makes her team's only score. Reading teacher Heymsfeld makes a good debut with this easily read, realistic story; believable dialogue moves it briskly, and Ms. Parker's informal exchange with Mike--with the help of some sure-fire titles she suggests, he begins to conquer his aversion to reading while she confronts bats and balls--is worked in casually. Appealing light fare. (Fiction. 7-10) -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.