Roy Morelli Steps Up to the Plate
not part of a series
on Goodreads (38)
What’s inside...
Eighth-grader Roy Morelli is excited for baseball season to start so he can play shortstop for the Pilchuck All-Star team. However, when his parents find out he's failing history, they make him quit the All-Stars. Stuck on a losing rec league team and forced to spend afternoons with a tutor, Roy struggles with his grades and attitude. As his teammates tire of his behavior, Roy must learn what it takes to be a true team player. Fans of John Feinstein will enjoy Roy's journey and Thatcher Heldring's portrayal of an eighth-grade boy's growth.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
9-12
Length
240 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Roy Morelli
Discussion points
What do you think motivated Roy to improve both in baseball and in school?
How do you think Roy felt when he faced challenges both on and off the field?
What qualities do you admire in Roy and which ones would you like to adopt?
How do the other characters in the book influence Roy’s decisions and actions?
If you were Roy, how would you handle the pressure of sports and schoolwork?
Tip: Role play these questions
Highlight the importance of perseverance as displayed by Roy, and discuss with your child moments when they have had to persevere.
Discuss the value of teamwork and sportsmanship in both sports and everyday life, drawing parallels from the book.
Encourage your child to express their feelings about balancing multiple responsibilities, using Roy’s experiences as a starting point.
Use examples from the book to discuss the outcomes of positive and negative behavior, emphasizing personal growth.
Ask your child to imagine alternative endings based on different choices made by Roy, fostering creative thinking and decision-making skills.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Roy Morelli, the protagonist, learns the importance of working together with his teammates in baseball to achieve common goals.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by participating in group activities at school or in sports, learning to cooperate and value each member's contribution.
Example Lesson: Responsibility and dedication
Explanation: Throughout the book, Roy is faced with challenges that require him to be responsible and dedicated, both in sports and in his personal life.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s life by encouraging them to take their commitments seriously, whether it be homework, chores, or extracurricular activities.
Example Lesson: Dealing with setbacks
Explanation: Roy faces several setbacks and learns how to cope with them without giving up, showing resilience.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own challenges and setbacks with a positive attitude and determination, understanding that setbacks are part of learning and growing.
Example Lesson: Respect for others
Explanation: The story emphasizes the importance of respecting teammates, opponents, and authority figures like coaches and umpires.
Real-World Application: This can teach children to treat everyone with respect, understanding that each person deserves dignity and consideration.