The Tall Mexican: The Life of Hank Aguirre cover

The Tall Mexican: The Life of Hank Aguirre

Author: Copley, Robert E.

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 8.2
Points 7.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Nonfiction
Word Count 37889
Points per Word 0.000185
Page Count 145
Points per Page 0.048276

Description

This biography profiles the All-Star major-league pitcher whose commitment to his Hispanic heritage led him to found Mexican Industries to help provide economic opportunities to the inner-city Detroit community.

Quick Summary

If you're looking for a sports biography that goes way beyond the scoreboard, this one about Hank Aguirre is a great pick. Aguirre was a major league pitcher who played for teams like the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians, but what makes his story special is what he did after baseball he founded Mexican Industries in Detroit to create jobs and opportunities for people in his community. The book really digs into how he balanced being a Latino athlete in a predominantly white sport with his deep commitment to helping others who looked like him. It's got plenty of baseball action to keep sports fans hooked, but it's also a story about grit, identity, and using your platform for something bigger than yourself. Kids who are into biographies, sports history, or stories about people who give back will find plenty to like here. Parents will appreciate that it covers real issues like discrimination and community building in an age-appropriate way. If your kid enjoyed books like "We Are the Ship" or other underdog sports stories, this one has that same spirit of determination and heart.