The Rhino in Right Field
by Stacy DeKeyser
Informational Resources:
Author Information:
Stacy DeKeyser’s website:
https://www.stacydekeyser.com/bio
Listen to a snippet of the author’s conversation with Sporting News editor, Justin McGuire, where they talk about researching a novel, writing for kids, and lots of Milwaukee baseball trivia. (44:44)
http://baseballbythebook.libsyn.com/episode-176-the-rhino-in-right-field
Listen to an NPR Radio interview with the author about the real-life inspiration for The Rhino in Right Field. Washington Park, the minor league Brewers, growing up Greek, and girls' baseball. (15:07)
https://www.wuwm.com/post/when-baseball-practice-was-milwaukee-zoo#stream/0
Activities & Resources:
Activities:
The Rhino in The Right Field Discussion Guide
Baseball:
All-American Girls Softball League:
Create Baseball Trading Cards for the baseball players in this book using this online trading card creator.
The History of Baseball for Kids
https://kids.kiddle.co/History_of_baseball_in_the_United_States
Play a fun game of table top baseball with a pair of dice.
https://www.housewifeeclectic.com/tabletop-dice-baseball-game-scorecard-printable/
Make this adorable baseball pencil topper:
https://www.activityvillage.co.uk/baseball-pencil-topper
Milwaukee:
Research Milwaukee in 1948 and present day Milwaukee. Fill out this online interactive Venn Diagram to show how Milwaukee has changed and how it has stayed the same.
Although The Rhino in Right Field is a made-up story, some very real events, people, and places made their way into the book. Read and discover some real facts in the book.
Greece:
In addition to regular school, Nick attends Greek school. He struggles with using the Greek alphabet and writing in Greek. Translate your name into the Greek alphabet and try to write it on a piece of paper.
http://mylanguages.org/greek_write.php
Nick’s parents are Greek Immigrants. Hear the stories of real kids who have recently immigrated to the United States.
http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/young_immigrants/
Rhinos:
Check out this live video feed from The Houston Zoo Rhino Yard Cam.
https://www.houstonzoo.org/explore/webcams/rhino-yard-cam/
MakerSpace Activities:
Does temperature make a difference when playing baseball? How does temperature affect the baseball? Using the scientific method, conduct an experiment to find the answer. Measure the bounce of a room-temperature baseball and compare it to the bounce of a baseball that has been in the freezer for an hour.
Make your own baseball arcade game. littleBits Bumper Baseball Game - Makerspace Project Video (8:07):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_G0UGh0GPFg
Using ozobots and QR codes, follow along and learn about the immigration process at Ellis Island.
Take the Pop Fly Challenge! Explore the engineering design process by building a device that can launch a ping-pong ball high enough to catch it.
http://teachers.egfi-k12.org/pop-fly/
Thrown For A Curve: Discover how force, motion, velocity, and surface area play a role in the different types of baseball pitches. Learn how to throw a curveball, screwball, and fastball.
https://www.exploratorium.edu/baseball/activities/thrown-for-a-curve.html
Discussion Questions:
In addition to regular school, Nick’s parents make him go to Greek school. Why do you think they do this?
Nick has to work in his dad’s store every Saturday until 5:00 p.m. Do you think it is fair that his father makes him work? Give examples to support your opinion.
Share a time when you entered a contest. What kind of contest was it? Did you win?
Nick’s dad never closes the shop for special occasions and works a lot. Do you think a good work/home balance is important? Why or why not?
Mr. Daggett called Nick’s dad and tried to convince him to let Nick have the day off for bat boy tryouts. Describe a time when someone went out of their way to help you.
Nick misjudged Penny. Share a time when you were misjudged and what it felt like. Share a time when you mistakenly misjudged someone.
Penny is eliminated from the contest because she is a girl. Describe how you would feel if you were not allowed to participate in something solely because of your gender.
Although the world has made great strides in gender equality, we have a long way to go. Give examples of situations where there is still gender inequality in our society.
In order to enter the contest, Nick had to tell multiple lies. Do you think it was worth it? Explain your viewpoint.
Ace ended up giving away Nick’s secret about forging his father’s signature on the contest application. Tell about a time when someone gave away a secret that you shared. How did it make you feel?
If you could give Nick some advice about his dilemma, what would you say?
Did the story end the way you expected it to? What clues did the author offer to prepare you to expect this ending? Did you recognize these clues as important to the story as you were first reading it?
What is Nick’s father’s opinion of Uncle Spiro? What does Uncle Spiro’s secret plan show about his personality?
Throughout the book, Pete teases the characters. How do the various characters in the story handle it? How do you handle teasing?
Nick’s parents immigrated to the United States from Greece. Although they now live in America, their Greek culture is still very evident in their lives. Find evidence of this in the book. Share examples of how your family includes their culture(s).
Some characters play small but important roles in a story. Give examples of small but important characters in this story. Why are these characters necessary for the story?
Nick and Ace have a special friendship. Give examples from the story that demonstrate their special friendship.
Even though this story takes place in the 1940s, how is it still relatable today?
Just like in baseball, sometimes life can throw you some curveballs. Describe a time when life threw you a curveball and how you got through it.
What was your favorite part of the book? Why?
If the author were to write a sequel to this book, what do you think would happen to the characters?
Book Talk Teasers:
Show the book trailer for The Rhino in Right Field. After viewing, ask for predictions for what will happen in the story.
Read the readers theater created for this book.
Read Alikes:
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