A Bright New Day

Gr 2–4—These leveled readers are different in content, but are both lackluster in execution. Bright New Day tells the story of 100 people fleeing Earth for a new planet to inhabit. There are quite a few holes in the plot (including why Earth has become uninhabitable), and sci-fi lingo is haphazardly integrated into the text. In Baseball Giant, Eiji's dad tells him about Eiji Sawamura, the Japanese baseball player he was named after. The man gives his son an abridged version of Sawamura's life, including information on his death in a torpedoed ship while fighting on his country's side during World War II. Modern-day Eiji is inspired by his namesake to pitch a winning game. Though this look at a little-known Japanese athlete who played with Babe Ruth might appeal to reluctant readers, the transitions between the father's tale and the boy's story are awkward and clunky. The illustrations for both books are generic and washed out. Neither title stands out as a must-purchase.—Jasmine L. Precopio, Fox Chapel Area School District, Pittsburgh, PA