About This Book
Reach for this book when your child has experienced a public failure, a crushing sports defeat, or is struggling with the pressure of high expectations. While many children's stories end in a triumphant victory, this classic narrative poem offers a rare and necessary look at the moment the hero falls short. It provides a safe space to discuss the heavy feelings of embarrassment and the reality that even the 'greats' don't always win. The story follows the legendary Casey, a baseball player whose confidence borders on arrogance as he steps up to the plate with the game on the line. The rhythmic, suspenseful verse builds to a climax that ends not with a home run, but with a strikeout. This Putnam edition specifically frames the poem within a Little League context, making the 19th-century language accessible for elementary-aged children. It is a perfect tool for normalizing disappointment and teaching that one bad moment doesn't define a person's worth.
