The Rhino in Right Field (Washington Park Stories)

I teach fourth grade and I was looking for some new books for my students. I think this one will be perfect. It is set in 1948 and based in part on the author's father's (or was it grandfather's?) experience in Wisconsin during that time. It is highly readable story in first person about a boy who wanted to try out for bat boy for the local baseball team, but his dad didn't want him to get off work to do it. That is one conflict in the story. The other one is that there is a girl who can play ball just as well as the boys, but in 1948 girls need not apply. Both conflicts are resolved nicely and realistically. My son (who is in 7th grade) read it and couldn't put it down either. I think students grades 4-6 would especially love this story.

I teach 3rd grade and all my students looked forward to read time. The book is perfect for 8-10years. Also, I found that it can give the whole class out of their fear of reading out loud.Get this 📖📕📘

I thoroughly enjoyed this book about boys, girls, and baseball. I was particularly impressed by how the author captured a long-ago time and place (late 1940's, midwest) and used the vernacular of the time in her dialogue. Also, likable characters, with a fun sense of humor pervading.

This father of five, and lifelong baseball fan, enjoyed hugely reading this splendid book aloud with my 10 year old daughter. I can't wait to read it with her younger brother in due course. Well done, Ms. DeKeyser.

DeKeyser’s newest book really earns 4.5 stars from this middle grades librarian. It didn’t rock my world enough to garner a 5 star rating, but I was completely sucked in and struggled to slow down and really read it instead of just skim because I was anxious to see how things were going to work out for Nick, the book’s main character. The setting of “Rhino” is 1948 Milwaukee, Wisconsin right near the very real Washington Park Zoo and in the heart of town with a diverse population of immigrant families all working towards their own American dream. The plot centers around a batboy for a day contest being run by the new owner of the town’s minor league ball team. But there are a myriad of subplots entwined and swirling around the main event. There is a bully who is competing with Nick and his best friend Ace in everything, not just the featured contest. Nick’s hard-working father clashes with his seemingly lazy younger brother. Nick’s mom tries to keep the peace using her fabulous food while struggling to measure up to a ruling matriarch at church. And there is Penny, the new girl who loves baseball and just wants to show the guys how good she is. This book mixes history with sports and throws in a dash of friendship advice, a smattering of humor, a big dollop of encouragement to work hard for what you want, and then tosses in a 2,500 lb rhinoceros named Tank just to keep readers on their toes. I will definitely be buying this one for both of my middle grades libraries and will recommend it to sporty kids, lovers of historical fiction as well as those who enjoy laughing while they read a terrific realistic fiction book. A 2020-2021 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee

You'll love this engaging mid-grade story (seamlessly set in late-40's Midwest) full of humor, heart, and baseball. It made me wish I were right there in the stands rooting for Nick - especially when he was facing that 2,580-pound rhino! DeKeyser has definitely hit a home run with this one!

As an adult, this was a wonderful read! I loved the characters and the story!

My students loved this story! It was a great story to read and so entertaining!