The Great Ball Game

by Joseph Bruchac

ill by Susan L. Roth

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bruchac, Joseph. 1994. THE GREAT BALLGAME. Ill. by Susan L. Roth. New York: Dial Books. ISBN 0803715390.

B. PLOT SUMMARY

In this simple yet delightful story from long ago, the animals and birds are engaged in an argument about which group is "better". So they decide to play a ball game. The team who scores first is the winner. They divide into two groups - those with teeth and those who fly. But bats have both and the little bat wants to know where he fits in this plan. The animals eventually accept him and it's a good thing. In the end, it is the bat who saves the day for the animals and leads them to victory. The consequence for the birds? They must fly south for six months for the winter.

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS

At first glance, the reader would think this is an obvious Native American story by the title, but as the reader begins reading, there is nothing inside the story that indicates it is Native American. The illustrations are torn paper and the characters are all animals called by their animals names. The pictures really do not add anything to the telling of the story. The sentences are simple, as is the plot line, but it is easy to follow and enjoyable.

At the beginning, author Joseph Bruchac does provide information about a ball game that Native Americans did play. This is the only real solid evidence that it is a Native American tale.

D. REVIEW EXCERPTS

Publishers Weekly: “This adaptation of a popular Native American story pits Animals against Birds in a contest to settle an all-too-human question: Who's better? And, according to Muskogee legend, this resolution explains why bats are categorized as animals and why birds fly south for the winter.”

School Library Journal: “In this traditional Muskogee story, the birds and the animals quarrel over which group is better, those with wings or those with teeth. The argument threatens to turn into all-out war, so the creatures decide to settle it by playing a ball game instead. When the game (which resembles lacrosse) starts, no one wants little, weak Bat to play on their side. But in the end it is Bat-with both teeth and wings-who wins the match for the animals. As a result the birds are banished to the south each winter. This porquoi tale is told in clean, spare sentences with the emphasis on action and character.”

E. CONNECTIONS

Visit http://www.josephbruchac.com/ for more information on the author and his publications.