The William Hoy Story

December 14, 2015
This rousing underdog story from newcomers Churnin and Tuya introduces William Hoy, who became a major-league baseball player in the 1880s, despite being left deaf from a childhood bout with meningitis. Though an early manager tried to take advantage of him, and teammates would hide their mouths so Hoy couldn’t read their lips, Hoy taught his teammates American Sign Language—symbols that Hoy eventually got umpires to use, too, and (possibly) helped pave the way for officiating gestures still in use. Tuya’s bright cartoons give a solid sense of the period, as well as Hoy’s pride, satisfaction—and some hurtful moments—on his way to becoming “king of center field.” An afterword provides additional details about Hoy’s life, personality, and influence. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Charlie Bowden, Pickled Ink.

February 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 3-This picture book biography demonstrates how an extraordinary deaf player from the early days of baseball made a lasting contribution to the game. The ambitions of William Hoy (1862-1961) were clear from the start. The boy thought of little other than baseball and practiced tirelessly in hopes of playing on a team. Achieving his goal brought challenges that he didn't expect, but giving up was not an option. Hoy realized that better communication was needed and knew just the way to do it. While he was not the only person to introduce hand signals to the game, he did popularize their use among players and fans. The book is well told and charmingly illustrated in a semirealistic style that conveys Hoy's emotions. Those who enjoyed Audrey Vernick's Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-Brother Baseball Team (Clarion, 2012) will want to read this engaging biography. VERDICT This is the largely unknown story of a differently abled athlete's valuable addition to the great American pastime.-Paige Mellinger, Gwinnett County Public Libraries, Lillburn, GA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2016
William Hoy was a talented, hard-playing major league baseball player who had a profound effect on the manner in which the game is played. He played from 1888-1902, amassing an impressive record in both fielding and hitting. In the vernacular of the times he was known as "Dummy" Hoy because he was deaf, but it was also how he referred to himself. He could read lips and write notes, but there were many challenges to overcome. When he was up at bat, he could not tell whether a ball or strike was called because, in those days, umpires shouted their calls and, of course, Hoy could not hear them. He worked out a system of arm signals to call balls and strikes, safe and out, based on American Sign Language, and convinced the umpires to use his method. His career took off, and soon these signals became the norm for all baseball games and remain in use today. The fans learned to wave their arms so he would know they were cheering for him. Churnin tells Hoy's story in sprightly, descriptive language that reaches to the heart of his courage and ingenuity. Tuya's bright, flat, cartoon-simple illustrations complement the text perfectly, deftly capturing the era, Hoy's emotional ups and downs, and his determination and spirit. A moving tribute to a true hero. (biographical information, timeline, acknowledgements) (Picture book. 5-9)

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February 1, 2016
Preschool-G Born in 1862, William Hoy loved baseball, but when he tried out for the team at the Ohio School for the Deaf, the coach decided he was too small. Hoy kept practicing, though, and played professionally from 1888 to 1902. It wasn't easy being deaf in a hearing world. In the batter's box, he once let three pitches go by and got ready for the fourth when he realized that the pitcher and fans were laughing at him. He hadn't heard the three strikes called. After working out a system of hand signs, he talked the umpire into using them to signal balls and strikes, safe and out. In an appended informational section, Churnin fills in more details of Hoy's life and notes that others are also credited with introducing hand signals to baseball. Written for a younger audience than Bill Wise's Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy (2012), this picture book offers a smoothly written text and simplified digital illustrations. A rewarding read-aloud choice for baseball fans.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

July 1, 2016
The athletically gifted William Hoy could neither hear nor communicate orally, but in spite of his disability, he became an outstanding major league baseball player during the late-nineteenth century. He contributed further by helping to create a system of signals still used by today's umpires. Stylized, old-timey cartoon illustrations illustrate the uplifting narrative. More about Hoy's obstacles and accomplishments is appended. Timeline.

(Copyright 2016 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)