Response to A Season of Daring Greatly by Ellen Emerson White

I love stories where the main character overcomes barriers to do what they want. That is why I loved A Season of Daring Greatly by Ellen Emerson White. When Jill, the main character, is drafted by the Pittsburg Pirates, a baseball team, she is the first female to be drafted in the history of the MLB (Major League Baseball). While it is fictional, this story reminds me of Jackie Robinson. Jill faces lots of bigotry and discrimination because of her gender, as did Jackie. While it may not be intense as what Jackie went through, Jill's story still feels like it could be a reality.

What I liked the most is the inclusion of the harsh reality of being a baseball player, especially one that is breaking a barrier in the sport. White includes the legal process of becoming a baseball player, along with what comes before a player plays in front of the big lights. The story actually doesn't include Jill playing in the major leagues, just in the minors. And if what she faces in the minor league clubhouse and field is close to what she'll face in the major league, she will have a very difficult time being a normal baseball player, without any discrimination. As I was reading, I really bonded with the character of Jill, as I am also told that I can't play a sport because of something I can't control: I'm short. If I ever wanted to play football, for example, there wouldn't be many positions I would be allowed to play. So I loved the fact that Jill overcame that barrier, and played baseball like a normal baseball player would. I hope some little girl reads this book and decides to be just like Jill. Except this time, in the real world.