The Girl Who Changed Little League: The True Story of Maria Pepe and Her Battle to Play Ball

The bravery and determination of baseball player Maria Pepe propels this motivational picture book from Pepe, Patrick, and Green. Third-person narration immediately captures the heroine’s passion for the sport: “She cheered for the Yankees, traded cards with her friends, and asked for baseball equipment.” When a new Little League team starts in Pepe’s hometown, the talented player earns a spot, but community complaints and Little League bigwigs force her off the team. In swoops a “group of strong, smart women” who agree to take the case to court. Digital gouache illustrations render the ensuing publicity and its emotional toll with a surrealistic flair: in one scene, Pepe marches up a newspaper page that forms steps; in another, she regards a sunsetting baseball. With empathy and rigor, the creators neatly drive home the importance of the seminal case and its successful verdict for athletes today. Back matter includes authors’ notes and additional historical info. Ages 6–8. (Mar.)