Rally Caps

rally_caps.jpgJust read about Rally Caps at Hearing Exchange. It sounds like a nice story. Stories surrounding a disability or difference don’t always make a good read. I was looking for a children’s book with a deaf character to read to 2nd graders and didn’t like any of the ones I found. So this might have potential.
The story focuses on two friends on a baseball team. One has a cochlear implant. Here’s the official description:

Ten year old Jordan is injured in an unfortunate and frightening accident while trying out for the Little League Travel team. Recovery is difficult. At summer camp he struggles to conquer his anxiety and fear in order to return to his beloved game of baseball. He forms a friendship with a deaf Italian boy, Luca, who wears a cochlear implant. Luca’s compelling positive nothing is impossible attitude, along with the inspiration he draws from his idol, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., gives Jordan the courage to return to baseball with a passion. Find out what happens as “Rally Caps” are raised in the bottom of the final inning in the biggest game of Jordan’s life. Boys and girls alike will enjoy this touching story of persevering through difficult times.

3 comments

  1. Hi!
    I am the co-author of RALLY CAPS and was shocked to see your post! The main character is hearing and gets whacked in the nose with a baseball bat, this accident causes him to be afraid to play baseball. The character, Luca – deaf with ci-is the strong character who based on his experience with his disability has acquired a sort of maturity and empathizes with what the hearing character is suffering.
    The book’s messages are appropriate for second graders, but the language is not – too much slang – fifth grade-Middle School. However, there are some chapters that would make for fun reading like the VAN JAM or the Milk Chugging contest, especially the scene where the hearing character meets the deaf character. Reading it cover to cover is too difficult for second graders…I would be interested in knowing what you think of it. Thank you so much, Jodi
    PS. The book is being published in Italian and has been endorsed by Curtis Pride, Brooks Robinson and Tim Kurkjian. If you would like, you can read more about the book at http://www.rallycaps.net

    • VB on January 15, 2008 at 1:06 pm
    • Reply

    Hi, I have the book and it’s great. I do agree w/Jodi that many of the chapters would be great for second graders. It’s not at all full of bad language though just a couple of words that could easily be replaced if you are reading it to them. Hope you enjoy, I sure did (an I’m much older than second grade, shhh!) I would say by fourth or fifth grade they should definitely be able to read it own their own.

  2. I just got this book in the mail a week ago and I am looking forward to reading it! 🙂

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