Book Review: Silent Star

Reviewed by Colin Stoecker
Colin Stoecker is a 2012-2013 corps member serving on the Bank of America team at the Young Achievers Science and Math Pilot K-8 School in Mattapan.

Many of our students are avid baseball fans—a side-effect to living in Red Sox nation.  To spark our students’ interest in reading we began looking for baseball themed books. Silent Star by Bill Wise is an enthralling account of major league Washington Nationals player, William Hoy. With impressionist-style illustrations by Adam Gustavson, and a thrilling biographical portrayal of the deaf player’s struggles and triumphs, the book is a must read for children and adults alike.

William Hoy was born in Houcktown, Ohio, and was not born deaf. He lost his hearing at age 3 after a serious case of childhood Meningitis. He attended the Ohio School for the Deaf in Columbus, and it was there that he developed a love for baseball. After graduating from high school and becoming a shoemaker, Hoy began playing in the minor league. Eventually he was recognized by the major league and was drafted to play for the Washington Nationals.

The book touches on the larger themes of growing up with a physical disability as well as discussing how challenging it is for deaf athletes to break into professional sports. For example, Hoy had to reply on lip reading to learn what call the umpire had made. Pitchers took advantage of this by throwing quick back-to-back pitches when Hoy’s head turned away from the pitcher’s mound.

During his career as an outfielder, Hoy became the first player to throw out three runners at home plate in a single game. Because fans knew Hoy couldn’t hear them, they showed their appreciation by throwing confetti and waving wildly.

Hoy’s story is one of overcoming adversity and winning recognition as well as forging a place for him and other deaf athletes in professional sports. In addition to teaching young readers to persevere and chase their dreams, Silent Star teaches students to be empathetic and strive to not to judge others.