Status
Available
Call number
Call number
FIC LOR
Collection
Description
When Bilal's family suddenly moves to America, his father stays in Pakistan, and Bilal embraces baseball, an unexpected friend, and a new language. But this new way of life does not feel so special without Baba--will he ever get to America to see Bilal pitch a game?
Genres
Publication
Charlesbridge (2018), Edition: Reprint, 256 pages
Original language
English
Language
User reviews
LibraryThing member Carlathelibrarian
Bilal has to leave Pakistan quickly without telling any of his friends. What makes it worse is that it is his birthday and the family is leaving without Baba. Will he make friends in the United States? Do they play cricket there? When will Baba join them? Why can't he come with them? There are so
Even though Jalal is much older than Bilal, he takes him under his wing. He teaches him about baseball and takes him to baseball camp. Bilal meets some boys there and one girl, Jordan. The boys do not want Jordan on the team because she is a girl, but Bilal feels a special kinship with her. School is another problem for Bilal. He has difficulty with English and again, does not make many friends. The boys he knows from baseball camp are in another class but Jordan is in his class. He develops a reluctant friendship with her and learns that her father is deployed in Afghanistan and she is living with her uncle. He continues to play baseball and Jordan helps him with his pitching and hitting on the sly. He does not want the boys to know they are friends. When his father still does not come to America after almost a year, Bilal is getting worried. He will do whatever he can to get his Baba to come and live with them. He takes a chance at the biggest baseball game of the year, but will it pay off.
This is a great story about coming to America as an immigrant family. It deals with separation from loved ones, dealing with a new language and culture, trying to make friends and fit in as well as making decisions to be true to yourself. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to schools, class libraries, community libraries and to middle grade students.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Show More
many questions that Bilal has about leaving Pakistan that he is nervous and scared. When they arrive in Washington they are met by his aunt and uncle. Living with his relatives, he is able to learn some things from his cousin Jalal.Even though Jalal is much older than Bilal, he takes him under his wing. He teaches him about baseball and takes him to baseball camp. Bilal meets some boys there and one girl, Jordan. The boys do not want Jordan on the team because she is a girl, but Bilal feels a special kinship with her. School is another problem for Bilal. He has difficulty with English and again, does not make many friends. The boys he knows from baseball camp are in another class but Jordan is in his class. He develops a reluctant friendship with her and learns that her father is deployed in Afghanistan and she is living with her uncle. He continues to play baseball and Jordan helps him with his pitching and hitting on the sly. He does not want the boys to know they are friends. When his father still does not come to America after almost a year, Bilal is getting worried. He will do whatever he can to get his Baba to come and live with them. He takes a chance at the biggest baseball game of the year, but will it pay off.
This is a great story about coming to America as an immigrant family. It deals with separation from loved ones, dealing with a new language and culture, trying to make friends and fit in as well as making decisions to be true to yourself. I enjoyed this book and recommend it to schools, class libraries, community libraries and to middle grade students.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Show Less
LibraryThing member jennybeast
Moving story of a family that flees Pakistan, but has to leave their father behind. Bilal, 10 years old, fifth grade. Learning the difference between cricket and baseball. Learning how to be a friend despite peer pressure to not be friends with a girl who is the best baseball player on the team. I
Show More
like that there's very little bullying of Bilal -- his challenges with English do not include a lot of mockery. I like the secondary story; Jordan is worried about her father, who is deployed to Afghanistan for his 3rd tour. I like that she calls him on his poor friendship, and that he finds a way to heal the breach. I like Bilal's ingenious attempt to help his father. A satisfying story. Show Less
ISBN
1580898262 / 9781580898263