No Easy Way: The Story of Ted Williams and the Last .400 Season

"He knew there was no easy way to become the greatest hitter who ever lived," writes Bowen (the All-Star Sports Story series) in this compelling account of slugger Williams's 1941 season. His vigilant practice and minor-league play won Williams a job with the Boston Red Sox, hitting 31 home runs in his rookie season%E2%80%94impressive, yet shy of his .400 batting average goal. Reaching that milestone two years later involved considerable drama: although Williams's average "took off in the cool of the spring and floated above .400 during the heat of the summer," it fell in the fall. Knowing there was "no easy way" to finish the season as a .400 hitter, he faced a tough decision during the final game. That this was the last season before Williams left to fight in WWII adds to the poignancy. Pyle, who used himself as a model for Williams in his artwork, contributes arresting paintings (supplemented by photos) that are at times reminiscent of those of Norman Rockwell and readily convey the emotion of the story, which kids will easily be swept into. Ages 5-8. (Feb.)