SuitabookThe batboy
Mike Lupica
- Reading
- Use the baseball setting as an entry point, then pause when Brian’s view of Bishop changes. Invite your child to separate talent, reputation and conduct, while leaving room for the ending to complicate their first response.
- Themes
- Family connection through sport: Brian sees becoming a batboy for his hometown team as a way to become closer to his big-leaguer father. The premise places family hopes at the heart of Brian’s sporting opportunity, but does not reveal whether the relationship improves or remains difficult.
- Rethinking heroes: Brian is excited by Hank Bishop’s return and regards him as a baseball hero, then learns that Bishop is not as he first seemed. The setup clearly invites a reassessment of celebrity admiration, but it does not establish whether the book condemns, excuses or otherwise evaluates Bishop’s behaviour.
- Worth knowing
- If your child strongly identifies with sport or celebrity role models, consider whether they would welcome a story in which an admired player becomes troubling. The extent and nature of Bishop’s behaviour are not clear beforehand.