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"Scraps of Time, 1937: The Home-Run King" by Patricia C. McKissack

Author:

Patricia C. McKissack

Illustrator:

Gorgon James

Publisher:

Viking, New York, 2008

Reviewed by:

Kristine Wildner, Holy Apostles School, New Berlin, WI

Patricia McKissack continues her historical fiction series for newly independent readers with a thoroughly enjoyable look back in time to the Negro baseball leagues. Familiar series characters Trey, Aggie and Mae begin and end the story in their grandmother's attic. When they find an old baseball, their grandmother tells them the story of their great uncles, Jimbo and Tank, who once met baseball great Josh Gibson.
Written as a third-person person narrative, with plenty of dialogue, the greater part of the book focuses the summer of 1937 when Jimbo and Tank sneak into the local Negro League games illegally, narrowly escaping the grip of the general manager. When the Homestead Grays come to town and home-run hitter Josh Gibson rents a room from the boys' family, the boys are recognized by the manger and must repay their ticket price by working on the grounds crew. As the brothers get to know Josh and his teammates, they get to see the games for free as water boys for the players. Eventually, the boys convince the manager to organize a team for young players, and here is where they learn their greatest lessons about team play, watching out for a handicapped grounds keeper, and chewing tobacco.
The premise of the book, a story based on an old item found in an attic, is certainly not original. However, the African-American context and focus of the story is unique, and an important avenue for young children to learn about their history in an entertaining format. The story itself is somewhat ordinary, with the lessons of respect for the handicapped, avoidance of chewing tobacco, and teamwork rather forced into the plot. Moreover, some details are not well explained, such as how the boys in the Depression immediately obtain the necessary equipment (gloves, bats, etc.) to play on an organized team. Furthermore, in a heavily segregated society, the subject of discrimination is only lightly discussed. Gordon James' illustrations break up the already short chapters, yet do not extend the story. Although the title may be somewhat misleading (with Hank Aaron and Babe Ruth coming to mind as "Home Run Kings"), this particular volume in the series will appeal to children interested in sports, an especially good choice for Matt Christopher fans.