The Horn Book Guide

PICTURE BOOKS

Hopkinson, Deborah

Girl Wonder: A Baseball Story in Nine Innings

40 pp. | Atheneum/Schwartz | March, 2003 | Trade ISBN 0-689-83300-8 $$16.95

(2) K-3 Illustrated by Terry Widener. This picture book is "inspired by" the life of pioneering female baseball player Alta Weiss, who in 1907 pitched for the Vermilion Independents, a semipro team. Hopkinson tells her story with practiced skill--vivid details, lively language, varied pacing. The illustrations convey much emotion and narrative content. With a concise, informative author's note, a timeline, and a black-and-white photo of Weiss on the back cover.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2003