ONE-HANDED CATCH by MJ Auch Accelerated Reader: Level: 4.2. Pts. 8. Number of Multiple Choice Questions on Quiz: 10. Sample Quiz. While this sample quiz is protected by copyright and cannot be redistributed in any form, it can be accessed free of charge by all visitors to this site. Take the Quiz! Book Description: A strong sense of purpose, leavened by generous doses of humor and post-World War II period detail, drives this story of a resilient middle-grader who demonstrates that having one hand is an opportunity rather than a handicap. Having lost his left hand to a meat grinder, Norm finds his world has become a complicated place, where even common activities such as tying shoelaces or playing baseball seem impossible. However, with plenty of pushing from his tough-love mother, who challenges him to get things done and firmly checks his efforts to trade on his disability to get special treatment, Norm not only gets by but also blossoms. He finds ways to display both musical and artistic talent as he stubbornly and inventively teaches himself to play ball well enough to earn a spot on a summer league team. Loosely based on childhood experiences of the author's husband, this story offers both inspiration and useful information, deftly wrapped in an engaging narrative.