Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge

1. Shakespeare Bats Cleanup by Ron Koertge

2. Review of Shakespeare Bats Cleanup A 14-year-old baseball star temporarily sidelined by a case of mono narrates Koertge's (The Brimstone Journals; Stoner & Spaz) affecting novel told in verse. After Kevin's writer father gives him a journal, the bored boy sneaks a book about poetry out of his father's den and decides, "I'm just going to fool around a little,/ see what's what poetry-wise." Though he dabbles in several poetic forms, including haiku, sonnet, ballad and rhymed couplets, Kevin writes primarily in free verse. He candidly and sometimes comically muses on his baseball ambitions, former girlfriends, teammates, his rapport with his supportive, sympathetic father and his budding romance with a bright, caring young woman. Several heart-wrenching poems describe his and his father's pain—and gradual healing—following the recent death of Kevin's mother. Some of the entries are more effective than others, yet the teen's newly discovered poetic voice evolves believably and winningly. Kevin's numerous perceptive observations (e.g., "The rules of the game/ [of] baseball and poetry aren't that different"; "When I got sick I missed baseball./ When I got well I missed writing./ Amazing") may well inspire readers to reflect on their own feelings and aspirations—and to express themselves more creatively. This novel scores points for both style and substance. Ages 12-up. (Publisher’s Weekly)

4. In That Book of Dad’s I Borrowed Chapter two was about the sonnet. Man, those made me want to go back to haiku. Like a burger with everything on it, sonnets are packed with roses and dew, summer days, tender breaths, rocks and rills (whatever rills are), and tons of wimpy guys who apparently thought it was a thrill to sit around with some sheep and sigh about everything. I’m not that lame. I’m just a former baseball whiz who’d like to do what I used to do. Again. Even if it means getting called out on strikes. Sorry, Will, the sonnet’s not for me. Baseball’s my love--not some thou or thee. (Page 15)

5. Twelve Couplets = One Poem I’ve got Barry Bonds hanging on the wall big as life. He gets more wood on the ball than anybody. It doesn’t take Sherlock to figure out that this is a jock’s room: a dozen Rawlings baseballs, a bat, a glove = paraphernalia of combat. A nervous pitcher fights to keep control, the fastest runner (already he’s stolen one) dances down the line like a mad gnome, the catcher hunkers down, protecting home. That’s the way it used to be: I’d just lope up to the plate, I’d hit a frozen rope toward some poor shortstop with an iron glove. He’d blink. My batting average would improve. Now I dream of sitting in the doctor’s cool white room. Diplomas from a dozen schools hold up the walls. He comes in, seems cheerful. Dad scoots forward in his chair. I’m fearful. The doctor flips through tests one by one. He folds them up, their usefulness all done. “You’re fine,” he says, “just a little gaunt. Get out of here and find a restaurant. Celebrate this long-awaited day. Take it easy, but go on and play!” (Page 53)

6. Extension 1. Why do you think the speaker compares a sonnet to a burger? 2. What is the rhyme scheme of the poem “In That Book of Dad’s I Borrowed?” 3. What is ironic about the poem “In That Book of Dad’s I Borrowed?” 4. An allusion is a reference to something well-known that the author assumes the readers are familiar with. What is an example of allusion in the poem “Twelve Couplets = One Poem?” 5. “A nervous pitcher fights to keep control, / the fastest runner (already he’s stolen / one) dances down the line like a mad gnome, / the catcher hunkers down, protecting home.” How would you analyze the diction (word choice) in this excerpt of the poem? Choose a word/phrase and analyze the author’s choice of words.