Lucky: Maris, Mantle, and My Best Summer Ever (Junior Library Guild Selection)
Junior Library Guild Selection Series
on Goodreads (122)
What’s inside...
Louis, who loves baseball despite being the worst stickball player in White Plains, New York, sees his opportunity to be bat boy for the 1961 Yankees team as the perfect way to escape the problems of his father's remarriage and moving to the suburbs. Louis isn’t very good at playing baseball, but he knows and loves the game more than anybody. He loves the purity of the sport, the sound of the crack of a bat, and the smell of freshly cut grass in the stadium. And more than anything, he loves the New York Yankees. So when he becomes a bat boy for the team during the summer of 1961, it is a dream come true. Lucky gives readers baseline box seats to one of the most memorable seasons in sports history, and as Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris compete in their legendary home-run race, Louis learns that the heroes he looks up to can teach him life lessons that will change him forever.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
192 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Mickey Mantle
Roger Maris
Discussion points
How did the friendship between Louis and Mickey Mantle influence their lives and choices throughout the story?
What lessons does Louis learn about teamwork and perseverance from the baseball games?
How does the setting of the 1960s influence the events and characters in the story?
In what ways do the characters in the book demonstrate loyalty and support to each other?
How are challenges and setbacks portrayed in the story, and what can we learn from them?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to elaborate on their thoughts by asking follow-up questions based on their responses to the initial key questions.
Discuss the historical context of the 1960s with your child to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the setting and its impact on the characters.
Draw parallels between the challenges faced by the characters and situations your child may encounter, prompting them to relate personally to the story and its lessons.
Celebrate the themes of friendship and teamwork by considering examples from your child's own experiences in school or sports, deepening their connection to the story.
After discussing each key question, ask your child how they might have reacted in similar situations, fostering empathy and self-reflection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of Perseverance
Explanation: The protagonist's determination to improve his baseball skills alongside his heroes, Maris and Mantle, highlights the importance of hard work and persistence.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by consistently working towards their own goals, whether in sports, academics, or personal hobbies, understanding that persistence often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Importance of Friendship
Explanation: The story emphasizes the camaraderie and support among team members, showing how friendships can enhance experiences and offer support during tough times.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value and nurture their friendships, understanding that having supportive friends can make challenging situations easier to handle and more enjoyable.
Example Lesson: Historical Awareness
Explanation: Set in the 1960s, the book offers insights into historical figures and events through the eyes of a young protagonist, enriching the reader's understanding of the past.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to show interest in learning about history and understanding different eras, which can help them appreciate the context of current events and cultural shifts.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Disappointment
Explanation: Characters in the book face setbacks and disappointments, illustrating how to handle such emotions gracefully and learn from experiences.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to cope with their own disappointments, whether small or large, by understanding that it's a natural part of life and an opportunity for growth and resilience.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and Collaboration
Explanation: The book depicts how working together as a team leads to greater achievements and personal growth, showing the benefits of collective effort.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to participate actively in group activities, understanding that collaboration can lead to accomplishing goals that might be difficult to achieve individually.