This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Schools

THE BOOK REPORT: Did Babe Call His Shot?

A new weekly column where Oak Lawn elementary school students talk about the books they're reading for class. Jonathan Hernandez kicks off 'The Book Report' with his report on the novel 'Babe and Me.'

Welcome to 'The Book Report,' a new column featuring the best book reports written by students attending Oak Lawn schools. Jonathan Hernandez, a fourth-grader at , reviews the Scholastic book 'Babe and Me,' by Don Gutman. Jonathan's assignment in Ms. Minarik's class was to write a book report 'newspaper style.' We think Jonathan did a great job. In addition to being an avid reader and athlete, Jonathan is also one of the best robot dancers in Oak Lawn.

If you had the chance to meet one famous person who would it be? For 10-year old Joe it was Babe Ruth. In 1932 Babe hit a home run in game 3 of the World Series against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, and many people asked if he called his shot. Joe was able to time travel by holding a baseball card, but he was caught by his mom who banned him from doing it.

One day Joe’s dad needed money so he asked Joe to get the Babe Ruth card, and take him back in time, buy baseballs, ask Babe Ruth to sign them, and make money. However Joe’s mom banned him from time traveling so she gave permission, but only for three days. Joe and his dad sat on the couch, and Joe touched the card, and they soon found themselves in 1932.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Joe and his dad walked down New York City and saw people in a park around a fire. Joe’s dad just remembered they were in the time of the Great Depression. Suddenly Babe came around the corner in a limo, when Babe stepped out of the limo many people asked for autographs.

A little boy wanted an autograph from Babe, the autograph fell out of his pocket, and Joe picked it up. The little boy’s dad told him to give back the autograph, but Joe said “finder’s keepers”. The little boy’s dad threatened to kill Joe with a knife, so Joe’s dad said to the man “What are you doing,” and the man replied, “your son won’t give my son back the autograph.” Therefore Joe gave the man back the autograph.

Find out what's happening in Oak Lawnwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Babe Ruth went up to Joe and said “I saw what happened, will you and your father come, and see me at the Ansonia Hotel you can have all the autographs you want.” Joe and his dad were going to deposit $5,000 at a bank, and then earn interest. Joe and his dad found a bank, but it was closed so they went to a sporting goods store, and bought 75 baseballs for Babe to sign. Joe’s dad paid the clerk then went in a taxi to the Ansonia Hotel.

When they were in the hotel they went to the 7th floor to see Babe. When they found Babe they asked him if he could sign some balls. After Babe was done signing the balls, they all went out to eat. Babe ate so much and Joe was amazed and thought he should give him a standing ovation for eating so much. Babe ate so much that he fell to the ground, and started to throw up. When Babe woke up they went to Grand Central Station to go to Chicago for game three.

When they got to the station Joe’s dad had an idea, and said “we're the only ones who know that Babe is hitting a home run in straight center field, and I’m going to catch and sell it.”

Joe and his dad stayed at the same hotel that the Yankees were staying at. Joe couldn’t go to sleep because he kept thinking about the homer Babe was going to hit. When Joe, his dad, and Babe left the hotel there was a man whose kid was sick and he asked Babe to sign a bat, ball, and a glove for his kid. When Joe and his dad got inside Wrigley Field they were waiting for the game to start.

When Governor Roosevelt walked down the steps his bodyguards saw the sack that Joe’s dad was holding and arrested him. It was the moment Joe had been waiting for. Babe made it to the plate called his shot, and hit the ball where he called it. When Joe found his dad who was released by the police, they decided this was too much action for one day so they held the baseball card, closed their eyes and time traveled back home. Joe enjoyed the bonding time with his dad, meeting Babe and being able to experience a day in 1932.

My Thoughts

I like this book because it involves a sport that I love, mixed with a bit of mystery. It also helped me use my imagination to think who I would want to meet and where I would time travel if I had the chance.

Do you know an Oak Lawn student in grades K-8 who has written an outstanding book report or composition for class? Email a copy of the report and a picture of your student to Lorraine at lorraine.swanson@patch.com. Be sure to include the student's age, grade and school. We'll take care of the rest.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?