Norm’s life is changed forever on July 4, 1946, by a freak accident in which he loses his left hand. How is he to tie a shoelace, cut his food and manage the myriad of other essential daily tasks, let alone ride a bike and play baseball? The people in his life fall into two categories: those that see only the things he can’t do, and those who encourage him to see each problem as a puzzle to be solved. He is determined not only to meet the daily challenges, but to play baseball as well. Emulating the strategies of one-armed major-leaguer Pete Gray, Norm creates ingenious ways to practice fielding, throwing and batting, and becomes a valued member of his team. Norm, based on the life of the author’s husband, is a hero, but not a saint. Auch handles his emotions and those of his family and friends believably and never patronizes her characters or her readers by becoming maudlin. Moving and thought-provoking. (author’s note) (Fiction. 10-14)
