The Home Run Kid Races On (Matt Christopher: The #1 Sports Series for Kids)
Matt Christopher Sports Series for Kids
on Goodreads (41)
What’s inside...
First there was The Kid Who Only Hit Homers. Then came The Return of the Home Run Kid and Comeback of the Home Run Kid. And now, the mystery continues! Home run slugger Sylvester Coddmyer the Third has an amazing secret. For three seasons, he's been coached by men who look exactly like baseball legends Babe Ruth, Eddie Cicotte, and Mickey Mantle. Are these men actors impersonating famous ballplayers, as his friend Duane insists? Or are they from the 'beyond,' as Snooky Malone believes? Whatever the truth, the mystery deepens in this fourth title of this exciting series -- for yet another character from baseball's past has appeared to coach Syl. But is Syl the only one getting pointers? In this latest installment of the Home Run Kid series, the main character meets another baseball great, but this time, he must come to terms with his feelings for an infamous baseball legend--Ty Cobb.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
8-12
Length
4 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Sylvester Coddmyer Iii
Discussion points
How did you feel when the main character faced a challenge? What would you have done in their situation?
What did you learn about teamwork from this story? Can you share a time when you worked with others to achieve something?
How does the character's love for sports inspire you? Are there any sports or activities you're passionate about?
What qualities do you admire in the main character? Why?
How do you think the story would change if it was set in a different location or time period?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book’s events, promoting empathy and understanding.
Draw parallels between the challenges faced by the characters and real-life situations your child might encounter to enhance relatability.
Discuss the importance of persistence and hard work in sports and personal goals, inspired by the protagonist’s experiences.
Highlight the value of fair play and respect within sports and everyday life, reflecting on the characters' interactions.
Use examples from the book to discuss the significance of teamwork, both in sports and in other group activities.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance pays off
Explanation: The protagonist faces challenges but keeps trying, demonstrating determination.
Real-World Application: Encourages children to stay persistent in their own goals, whether in academics, sports, or personal hobbies.
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: Characters work together on the baseball field to achieve their common goal, highlighting the importance of collaboration.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the value of working with others and how cooperation can lead to achieving group objectives in school projects or team sports.
Example Lesson: Handling failure positively
Explanation: The book shows characters dealing with setbacks and losses, teaching that failure is a part of growth.
Real-World Application: Helps children understand that it's okay to fail and that what matters is learning and improving from those experiences.
Example Lesson: Integrity in competition
Explanation: The story emphasizes playing fair and respecting opponents.
Real-World Application: Instills moral values about honesty and integrity that children can apply in competitive situations in school or in sports.
Example Lesson: Importance of practice
Explanation: The main character improves through consistent practice, showing that effort leads to improvement.
Real-World Application: Motivates children to dedicate time to practice in order to improve their skills in any field they are interested in.