Baseball Saved Us

Written by Ken Mochizuki · Illustrated by Dom Lee

In a WWII internment camp, baseball becomes a lifeline for dignity and hope.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 4,048 ratings

32 pages· 900 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

$11.95Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In a WWII internment camp, young Shorty and his family face harsh conditions and loss of freedom. Amidst barbed-wire fences, they build a baseball field, creating a league that offers more than just a game. As Shorty plays, he battles for dignity and self-respect, transforming a bleak desert into a field of hope. This poignant tale, inspired by true events, uncovers a hidden chapter of American history, where courage and resilience shine through adversity. Discover how a simple sport becomes a powerful symbol of endurance in this 25th Anniversary Edition.

From the publisher

Twenty-five years ago, Baseball Saved Us changed the picture-book landscape with its honest story of a Japanese American boy in an internment camp during World War II. This anniversary edition will introduce new readers to this modern-day classic.One day my dad looked out at the endless desert and decided then and there to build a baseball field. “Shorty” and his family, along with thousands of other Japanese Americans, have been forced to relocate from their homes to a “camp” after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Fighting the heat, dust, and freezing cold nights of the desert, Shorty and the others at the camp need something to look forward to, even if only for nine innings. So they build a playing field, and in this unlikely place, a baseball league is formed. Surrounded by barbed-wire fences and guards in towers, Shorty soon finds that he is playing not only to win, but to gain dignity and self-respect as well. Inspired by actual events, this moving story of hope and courage in a Japanese American internment camp during World War II reveals a long-hidden and ugly part of the American past. This 25th Anniversary Edition features a revised cover and a new introduction from the author and illustrator.

At a glance