Overview

The biography of William Ellsworth Hoy, the first deaf player to have a successful career in professional and Major League baseball. Now in paperback! William Hoy loved baseball. Growing up in the 1860s and '70s, he dreamed of one day playing in the major leagues. A far-off fantasy for many boys, fulfilling this dream was even more of a long shot for William, who was deaf. Striving to find his place in a hearing world, Hoy became a shoemaker. He took pride in his work, but baseball was still his real love. When an amateur team coach saw him playing behind the shoemaker's shop, Hoy dazzled the coach with his hard-hitting skills. Moving from amateur clubs to the minor leagues and eventually to the majors, Hoy proved himself again and again-overcoming obstacles and becoming a star both on and off the baseball diamond. Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy is a tribute to one of the most inspirational figures in baseball history. A talented player with a standout record, Hoy is a shining example that success in life should not be measured by differences but by drive and determination.

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9781620148082

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A fascinating introduction to a little-known hero. -- Kirkus Reviews Wise's biography covers Hoy's whole life, including the attack of meningitis that left him deaf at age three, and celebrates the courage and determination it took for Hoy to make it to the major leagues. Gustavson's oil illustrations complement the text nicely, providing historical details--handlebar moustaches, old uniforms, newspaper headlines, and panoramic views inside old ballparks--that will put readers in the games alongside Hoy, imagining the cheers from the stands that Hoy never heard. -- The Horn Book Along with attracting baseball fans, this perceptive portrait of an athlete overcoming a physical disability will also enrich curricula. -- Booklist An excellent blend of sports, history, and overcoming disabilities, the story of major leaguer William Hoy has much to offer. -- Library Media Connection Best Children's Books of the Year: Outstanding Merit, Bank Street College of Education Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Reading Program, United Methodist Women

"""Employing rich descriptive language with just the right combination of drama and information, Wise emphasizes Hoy's steadfastness and determination in his baseball exploits and in every endeavor before and after his career. . . A fascinating introduction to a little-known hero."" -- Kirkus Reviews ""Wise's biography covers Hoy's whole life, including the attack of meningitis that left him deaf at age three, and celebrates the courage and determination it took for Hoy to make it to the major leagues. Gustavson's oil illustrations complement the text nicely, providing historical details--handlebar moustaches, old uniforms, newspaper headlines, and panoramic views inside old ballparks--that will put readers in the games alongside Hoy, imagining the cheers from the stands that Hoy never heard."" -- The Horn Book ""Along with attracting baseball fans, this perceptive portrait of an athlete overcoming a physical disability will also enrich curricula."" -- Booklist ""An excellent blend of sports, history, and overcoming disabilities, the story of major leaguer William Hoy has much to offer."" -- Library Media Connection Best Children's Books of the Year: Outstanding Merit, Bank Street College of Education Choices, Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Reading Program, United Methodist Women"

Author Information

Bill Wise is an avid baseball fan, first heard about William Hoy when he was a child. Years later, after further research, Wise was inspired to bring Hoy's remarkable story to young readers. Wise and his family live in Gorham, Maine. Adam Gustavson has illustrated more than twenty highly praised books for children. In spite of his lack of baseball-playing skill, Gustavson enthusiastically embraced William Hoy's story and spent months researching baseball rules, uniforms, and stadiums in use during Hoy's lifetime. Gustavson is also a part-time art educator at the college level. He lives in West Orange, New Jersey, with his family.

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