Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki Illustrated by Dom Lee


Baseball Saved Us tells the story of a young Japanese American boy sent with his family to an internment camp during World War II. Struggling with boredom, confinement, and prejudice, the boy and others in the camp build a baseball field. The game becomes more than recreation, it becomes a way to endure hardship, reclaim dignity, and strengthen identity. Told from a child's point of view and paired with Dom Lee’s textured, sepia-toned illustrations, this book brings an often-overlooked chapter of American history to life in an accessible, moving way.

Although it's a picture book, Baseball Saved Us is ideal for use with older students because of its powerful historical content, emotional complexity, and themes of justice, identity, and resilience. It prompts students to confront racism in U.S. history, recognize the impact of war on families and communities, and reflect on how small acts, like playing a game, can become powerful forms of resistance and healing.

Curriculum Connections

Social Studies & U.S. History 

  • Use the book to introduce or supplement a unit on Japanese American incarceration during WWII.

  • Analyze Executive Order 9066, and discuss the legal and social implications of internment.

  • Connect the book to broader themes of civil liberties in times of war, xenophobia, and resilience.

  • Explore the role of baseball as a national symbol and how it is used both to include and exclude.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

  • Examine the racial stereotypes and anti-Asian sentiment during WWII and how those issues persist today.

  • Discuss how stories like this help to fill in gaps in mainstream historical narratives.

  • Highlight the importance of representation in children’s literature this story centers a voice not often heard.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL)

  • Reflect on the emotions the narrator experiences: fear, frustration, anger, pride.

  • Explore the idea of finding purpose, community, and strength in difficult situations.

  • Ask students to identify their own “baseball”—what outlets or activities help them feel strong, safe, or free?

Discussion Questions

Social Studies Classrooms:

  1. Why were Japanese Americans placed in internment camps? What were the justifications, and what were the consequences?

  2. How does the book portray life inside the camp? What details stand out to you?

  3. How is baseball used as a symbol in the story? What does it represent?

Diversity and Inclusion Lens:

  1. How does this story challenge common narratives about WWII in the U.S.?

  2. What does it mean for the main character to find pride and dignity in playing baseball?

  3. How might stories like this change how we think about patriotism and loyalty?

For SEL & Advisory Discussions:

  1. How do you think the main character felt being treated differently because of his identity?

  2. Have you ever used an activity or hobby, like baseball, to cope with a hard situation?

  3. What does it mean to feel seen, respected, or understood? How does this book show that?

Baseball Saved Us is more than a sports story. It is a deeply human account of injustice, strength, and resilience. It gives middle and high school students a powerful way to engage with a forgotten part of American history, while also prompting reflection on identity, belonging, and the ways we persevere. Whether you're exploring WWII, anti-Asian racism, or the emotional lives of young people in crisis, this book is a meaningful, memorable starting point.

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