You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!

In this striking picture book biography by Jonah Winter, an old-timer tells us what made Sandy Koufax so amazing. We learn that the beginning of his career with the Brooklyn Dodgers was rocky, that he was shy with his teammates, and experienced discrimination as one of the only Jews in the game. We hear that he actually quit, only to return the next season–different–firing one rocket after another over the plate. We watch him refuse to play in the 1965 World Series because it is a Jewish high holy day. And we see him in pain because of an overused left arm, eventually retiring at the peak of his career. Finally, we are told that people are still “scratchin’ their heads over Sandy,” who remains a modest hero and a mystery to this day.

Accompanied by sidebars filled with statistics, here’s a book sure to delight budding baseball fans. And it will make a fine gift!

Please join Octavia Books at the New Orleans Jewish Community Center on Thursday, December 10, 2009 at 4:00 pm for a book signing and reading with children’s book author Jonah Winter featuring his book, You Never Heard of Sandy Koufax?!