Step Up to the Plate, Maria Singh

An outstanding example of middle grade historical fiction. This book will appeal to sports enthusiasts and history buffs alike, along with any kids who just like reading books about strong characters with an interesting story to tell! The story was fascinating and fast-paced and kept me engaged for......more

I found this book Apalaweb.org, otherwise known as Asian/Pacific American Libraries Association. Step Up to the Plate won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature in 2017 under the children's literature category. It also won the South Asia Book Award for a highly commended book. This story abo......more

Uma Krishnaswami writes a very compelling narrative through the eyes of Maria, a 5th grade girl, who is both Indian and Mexican. She lived in Yuba City, California in 1945 while WWⅡ still wages on. Laws were harsh for immigrants and they experience many inequalities. Maria’s family knows this well.......more

gr 4-6 271pgs spring 1945 Yuba City, California. 5th grader Maria Singh wants to play softball more than anything, but how can she convince her parents? Her parents, her mother from Mexico and her father from India, are very traditional especially her father. I would recommend this book to readers wh......more

A WWII homefront story unlike one I've read before, set in California among families of Mexican and Indian immigrants. Maria longs to play baseball, even though it's just newly becoming something girls can do and her conservative Sikh father doesn't like the idea of her playing. As the War rages acr......more