Joy in Mudville by Bob Rackza illustrates how anyone can do things unexpectedly, in a unique manner, and succeed wildly at it.  The baseball game is near the end with a score of one to zero when a rookie pitcher (a girl, if you can believe that) takes over and surprises them with different ways of pitching in the forms of different sports.   The illustrations accurately depict the written word and it is easy to picture these pitches and the scenery in your head.  This book stands out because it overcomes stereotypes and is creative in its approach.  Although this is a picture book, it is not one that would read easily aloud due to changes in the cadence and words that don’t quite rhyme.  It is a book that would especially appeal to athletic children of either gender as well as to baseball fans.  It is a follow-up to the famous “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer which is printed in entirety at the end of the book.  In fact, this might be a good comparison piece for students to really look at the difference in word choices, finding evidence of this and practicing some common core skills, even at the upper elementary.  This book is recommend for those who enjoy sports or just breaking the mold.