Out of the Ballpark
What’s inside...
Before he hit more than 600 home runs, before he was named American League MVP, and before he was known as AROD to hundreds of thousands of fans, he was just Alex - a kid who wanted to play baseball more than anything else in the world.
Age
4-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Alex Rodriguez
Discussion points
What feelings did you experience when the main character succeeded and failed?
How can we apply the lessons learned in the game to our daily challenges?
What qualities do you think make a good team player?
Can you think of a time when you had to keep trying, even when it was hard? How did that make you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book's events. Connect the themes of perseverance and teamwork to your child’s real-life experiences, enhancing their understanding. Discuss the importance of practice and dedication in achieving goals. Use examples from the book to highlight the value of teamwork and support among friends and family.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: In 'Out of the Ballpark', the protagonist faces challenges but perseveres to reach his goals, showcasing the importance of dedication and effort.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by continuing to work hard and not giving up on their own goals, whether it's learning a new skill or finishing a difficult task.
Example Lesson: Teamwork
Explanation: The story highlights the protagonist working together with his teammates to achieve a shared objective, illustrating the significance of cooperation and support.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be translated into a child's life through participating in team activities, where cooperating with others can lead to shared success.
Example Lesson: Responsibility
Explanation: The main character takes responsibility for his actions on and off the field, teaching children the importance of owning their actions.
Real-World Application: Children learn to be accountable for their own actions, be it doing homework, completing chores, or interacting with friends responsibly.
Example Lesson: Setting and Achieving Goals
Explanation: The book displays how setting concrete goals can lead to success, as the protagonist sets his sights on winning a game.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to set realistic goals for themselves and to plan steps to achieve these goals in their academic and personal lives.
Example Lesson: Dealing with Failure
Explanation: When faced with setbacks, the character in the book demonstrates resilience by using them as learning experiences.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to see failures as opportunities to grow and learn, rather than getting discouraged.