Baseball In April

Gary Soto captures childhood, adolescence, and growing up through a series of short stories in Baseball in April.  The stories depict the daily lives and interactions of Latino children growing up in Central California.  Soto writing captures realistic experiences ranging from trying out for a little league team to Barbies.  While the experiences may focus on seemingly small moments in life, the lessons and truths behind each of the stories are much greater.  Lessons about life, equality, stereotypes, race, and love are all part of what makes this book beautiful.

The stories focus on the lives and interactions of Hispanic children, inspired by Gary Soto's own life growing up as a Mexican American in Central California.  Readers who identify with the Mexican American culture will make connections to the details and description of the Hispanic culture Soto depicts in his stories.  The general themes of childhood, adolescence, and growing up are relatable to readers of all cultural backgrounds, proving that it doesn't matter where you are from, childhood dreams and experiences exist in all of us.  This book is perfect for children and young adults ranging in age from 10-18 or up.  The stories feature both male and female protagonists, ranging in topics relatable to both genders.  The different story lines will resonate with the different experiences and background of the individual reader.  What may have simply entertained one reader can provide a deep connection and relatedness for another.

Sarah Schloss