A Home Run for Bunny

{"hero_section": {"headline": "Loyalty Over Championships Won.", "subheadline": "Discover the true story of courage and friendship that defined a team in 1934."}, "the_vision": {"quote": "Without swinging a single bat, we\u2019d hit a home run\u2014not just for Bunny, but for people everywhere.", "context": "This narrative highlights a pivotal, yet lesser-known, moment in the fight for racial equality decades before major milestones. It teaches children that standing up for what is right is the ultimate victory."}, "therapeutic_guide": {"title": "For Understanding Courage and Allyship", "core_utility": "Fosters empathy by illustrating the tangible impact of standing up against prejudice for a friend.", "conversation_starters": ["What did the team members risk by choosing to support Bunny?", "How did Bunny show courage even when he was scared?", "What does it mean to be a true teammate or friend?"]}, "visual_style_guide": {"mood_board": "Nostalgic, Determined, Warmly Textured", "color_palette": ["Sepia Tone", "#36454F", "#FFD700"], "art_direction": "Illustrations should evoke the early 1930s era, possibly using a textured, slightly vintage aesthetic reminiscent of classic baseball cards or period photography, contrasting moments of tension with vibrant action."}, "social_share": {"instagram": "Before Jackie Robinson, there was Bunny. This incredible true story shows 15-year-old boys choosing loyalty and respect over a championship title in 1934. A powerful lesson in standing up for what's right. #HomeRunForBunny", "hashtags": ["#Courage", "#TrueStory", "#RacialEquality", "#ChildrensLiterature"]}, "reviews_and_awards": {"reader_praise": ["The True story of an all-star baseball team from Springfield, Massachusetts. When racial prejudice threatens to keep Bunny off the field, the team must choose to follow their dream of playing in the championship or to stand up for their teammate Editorial Reviews Review How different it is today when we have a black governor in Massachusetts and a black president as the head of our country. Sports were meant to bring people together, not to separate them because of their color. Tony King, age 95 Team Captain, American Legion Post 21, Summer of 1934 --Tony King, age 95 It wasn't just the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. If we'd gone ahead without Bunny, even if we had won the championship, no one would ever have heard of us. In memory of Judge Daniel Keyes (1909-2012) Team Member, American Legion Post 21, Summer of 1934 --Judge Daniel Keyes It wasn't just the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. If we'd gone ahead without Bunny, even if we had won the championship, no one would ever have heard of us. In memory of Judge Daniel Keyes (1909-2012) Team Member, American Legion Post 21, Summer of 1934 --Judge Daniel Keyes From the Inside Flap This is the true story of a remarkable young baseball team faced with an incredibly difficult decision.Set in 1934, the story focuses on the most talented member of the team, a boy named Bunny Taliaferro. The only African-American on the roster, Bunny leads his American Legion all-stars to victory in the New England championship series. About the Author About The Author: Richard Andersen teaches writing and literature at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. The author of 25 books, including novels, critical studies and books on writing, he won the college's first Excellence in Teaching Award and was nominated by his college for the Carnegie Foundations United States Professor of the Year Award. He has also served as a Fulbright Professor in Norway, a Karolyi Foundation Fellow in France, and the James Thurber Writer in Residence at Ohio State University. An avid sports enthusiast, Richard completed the New York City Bicentennial Marathon and played on a silver medal-winning basketball team in the New England Senior Olympics. Product details Publisher \u200f : \u200e Illumination Arts Publication date \u200f : \u200e November 23, 2013 Edition \u200f : \u200e First Edition Language \u200f : \u200e English Print length \u200f : \u200e 32 pages ISBN-10 \u200f : \u200e 0985541725 ISBN-13 \u200f : \u200e 978-0985541729 Item Weight \u200f : \u200e 15.2 ounces Reading age \u200f : \u200e 8 - 10 years Dimensions \u200f : \u200e 8.75 x 0.5 x 11 inches Grade level \u200f : \u200e 3 - 4 Best Sellers Rank: #2,721,707 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #3,074 in Children's Black & African American Story Books #5,421 in Children's New Experiences Books Customer Reviews: 4.6", "13 years before Jackie Robinson, American Legion baseball players take a stand as allies! An instant classic and a true, inspirational story! Shared with several of my sixth grade classes over the past couple of years, children were awe-struck by the reality of this story occurring in 1934, moved by Bunny's struggle for human dignity and respect, and deeply affected by the solidarity of the team when they supported their teammate and overcame racism. Every school in America should have this book and it should be read aloud from 2nd grade on up in elementary schools. I am gratified to share that it is hopefully soon to become a major motion picture!!!", "Customers find the book's story engaging, with one review highlighting its inspiring narrative about team unity. Moreover, the book receives positive feedback for its message, with one customer noting how it sparks discussions about equal rights. Additionally, customers appreciate its literacy value, with one mentioning it's great for reading aloud to children. Generated from the text of customer reviews Select to learn more Story quality(8) Message(6) Literacy(5) Top reviews from the United States Robert A. Saul"], "editorial_reviews": ["Review\nHow different it is today when we have a black governor in Massachusetts and a black president as the head of our country. Sports were meant to bring people together, not to separate them because of their color. Tony King, age 95 Team Captain, American Legion Post 21, Summer of 1934 --Tony King, age 95\n\nIt wasn't just the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. If we'd gone ahead without Bunny, even if we had won the championship, no one would ever have heard of us. In memory of Judge Daniel Keyes (1909-2012) Team Member, American Legion Post 21, Summer of 1934 --Judge Daniel Keyes\n\nIt wasn't just the right thing to do. It was the only thing to do. If we'd gone ahead without Bunny, even if we had won the championship, no one would ever have heard of us. In memory of Judge Da"]}, "author_bio": "About The Author: Richard Andersen teaches writing and literature at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. The author of 25 books, including novels, critical studies and books on writing, he won the college's first Excellence in Teaching Award and was nominated by his college for the Carnegie Foundations United States Professor of the Year Award. He has also served as a Fulbright Professor in Norway, a Karolyi Foundation Fellow in France, and the James Thurber Writer in Residence at Ohio State University. An avid sports enthusiast, Richard completed the New York City Bicentennial Marathon and played on a silver medal-winning basketball team in the New \nEngland Senior Olympics.", "product_specs": {}, "general_audience_layer": {"narrative": "The True story of an all-star baseball team from Springfield, Massachusetts. When racial prejudice threatens to keep Bunny off the field, the team must choose to follow their dream of playing in the championship or to stand up for their teammate. Set in 1934, the story focuses on the most talented member of the team, a boy named Bunny Taliaferro. The only African-American on the roster, Bunny leads his American Legion all-stars to victory in the New England championship series."}}

The True story of an all-star baseball team from Springfield, Massachusetts. When racial prejudice threatens to keep Bunny off the field, the team must choose to follow their dream of playing in the championship or to stand up for their teammate. Set in 1934, the story focuses on the most talented member of the team, a boy named Bunny Taliaferro. The only African-American on the roster, Bunny leads his American Legion all-stars to victory in the New England championship series.