In Baseball Giant, Eiji's dad tells him about Eiji Sawamura, the Japanese baseball player he was named after. The man gives his son an abridged version of Sawamura's life, including information on his death in a torpedoed ship while fighting on his country's side during World War II. Modern-day Eiji is inspired by his namesake to pitch a winning game.

Grade 3. Guided Reading Level: Q.