One-Handed Catch

by MJ Auch

Overview

"Dad had asked me to give him a hand, and that's exactly what I was doing. I was fast becoming part of the fourteen-cent chopped meat special—which, I'm told, was not a big seller for the rest of the day."

What would it be like to go through life with only one hand? That's exactly what eleven-year-old Norm finds out when he loses his left hand in an accident at his family's store. It's July 4, 1946. World War II has ended, and life is getting back to normal. But for Norm, the pressing question now is whether he will ever be able to play baseball again. And what about his dreams of becoming an artist? Norm can't even figure out how to tie his shoes anymore. How will he ever learn how to pitch or catch or swing a bat with no left hand? It's up to Norm to find the strength to get beyond this roadblock and move on with his life.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780312535759
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	03/03/2009
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	272
Sales rank:	654,594
Product dimensions:	7.64(w) x 5.20(h) x 0.74(d)
Lexile:	710L (what's this?)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

M.J. Auch is the award-winning author of Guitar Boy, Wing Nut and numerous other books for young readers. Books were a part of M.J.'s life from an early age; her mother was a second grade teacher who always made sure there were plenty of books in the house. M.J. now lives on a small farm in upstate NY with her husband and co-illustrator, Herm, and their two dogs, Sophie and Zeke.

Editorial Reviews

Quality writing and a protagonist who will inspire readers and convince them that handicaps are limitations only if you let them be.” —Voice of Youth Advocates

“Kids will be fascinated with just how Norm learns to cope, and Norm won't mind a bit if they watch.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“A light, humorous tale. Norm's inner voice is generally calm, and his jocular exchanges with his friend Leon provide comic relief . . . An enjoyable read on the popular theme of overcoming adversity.” —School Library Journal

“A strong sense of purpose, leavened by generous doses of humor and post-World War II period detail, drives this story of a resilient middle-grader who demonstrates that having one hand is an opportunity rather than a handicap . . . This story offers both inspiration and useful information, deftly wrapped in an engaging narrative.” —Booklist

“Auch handles [Norm's] emotions and those of his family and friends believably and never patronizes her characters or her readers by becoming maudlin. Moving and thought-provoking.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

PreS-Gr 2-Set just after World War II, Auch's novel tells of 11-year-old Norm, whose family owns a meat market. On the Fourth of July, while helping his dad in the store, he gets his hand caught in the meat grinder and loses it. He then faces the challenges of one-handed shoe tying, band practice, and his dream of being a baseball player. The climax is, of course, the big game and Norm's chance to prove himself to his peers and community. The gruesome accident is the only jarring note in this otherwise light, humorous tale. Norm's inner voice is generally calm, and his jocular exchanges with his friend Leon provide comic relief. His mother's fierce attempts to keep her son independent and his father's silent guilt round out the family picture that feels immediate in many ways, even though the story is set in 1946. While the rosy worldview may be slightly exaggerated, there's a small-town interconnectedness between the episodic chapters that will keep the pages turning. One-Handed Catch is an enjoyable read on the popular theme of overcoming adversity. Pitch it alongside Joseph Bruchac's The Warriors (Darby Creek) and John H. Ritter's The Boy Who Saved Baseball (Philomel, both 2003) as a sports fiction title.-Caitlin Augusta, The Darien Library, CT Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.

School Library Journal

Norm's life is changed forever on July 4, 1946, by a freak accident in which he loses his left hand. How is he to tie a shoelace, cut his food and manage the myriad of other essential daily tasks, let alone ride a bike and play baseball? The people in his life fall into two categories: those that see only the things he can't do, and those who encourage him to see each problem as a puzzle to be solved. He is determined not only to meet the daily challenges, but to play baseball as well. Emulating the strategies of one-armed major-leaguer Pete Gray, Norm creates ingenious ways to practice fielding, throwing and batting, and becomes a valued member of his team. Norm, based on the life of the author's husband, is a hero, but not a saint. Auch handles his emotions and those of his family and friends believably and never patronizes her characters or her readers by becoming maudlin. Moving and thought-provoking. (author's note) (Fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews