"Dirt on Their Skirts" By:Doreen Rappaport and Lyndall Callan (Historical Fiction, Free Choice)

This book takes young readers back to 1946 when the Racine Belles played the Rockford Peaches in the All American Girls Baseball League. The story is about a young girl named Margaret, and her family’s trip to the baseball game. It tells about why the league was created during the war and gives a play by play of the last few moments of the game. As Margaret talks about the game, her passion for it becomes evident, as well as her dream of one day playing in the same league.

I would use this book as an opportunity for the children to learn more about the history of women in the United States. I would assign each student a player from either the Belles or the Peaches, and have them do research on her. After gathering up enough information, they would then write a biography about the player, and share it with the class.