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“Seems like we were always playing, traveling, or eating. That‘s about all we did. Played the game because we loved it.”

Nonfiction-It was named the Robert F. Sibert Honor Book. The information is presented clearly and in a storytelling style that makes complex historical events easy to understand. This book is meant for older elementary to middle school students.

As a teacher, I can use this book in the classroom to connect it to social studies. I can teach about segregation and the civil rights movement through the lens of baseball. Students will be able to explore how sports reflect larger issues of equality in American history.

Reading Organization

I have many composition notebooks and legal pads with notes for my book reviews. However, this system is organized chaos. In need of a new system, I found these two items on Amazon.com: one to keep the notes on books that I will read and the other for the book club of which I am a member. I am excited to have these journals; now my organized chaos can be an organized system.

Read this with my fifth graders. Actually, the school year ended before we could finish the book together, but I was enjoying it so much that I keep reading it on my own. The beautifully illustrated book details the experiences within the Negro Baseball Leagues. The facts were fascinating, entertaining, and sometimes difficult to read.

“We cleared the way for them and changed the course of history”

I was drawn to this story because of baseball! The dodgers are my favorite team, so I knew that they were the first team to break the barriers and sign a black man. However, I didn't know that much about the all African american league. I thought this story was moving and inspiring, and I think it would be a great addition to any classroom. This would appeal to the kids who love sports, but the message is important for all children to hear.

This nonfiction tells the story of the African american league that was in place until Jackie Robinson broke the barriers of baseball. My favorite part about this book, was the set up. I liked how they used innings instead of naming different chapters. The story helps highlight the inequalities that black men were facing, and how those glass ceilings were shattered. I think this is a definite classroom pick.

This NF book won the Coretta Scott King Award as well as the Robert F. Sibert Medal. A very interesting read about the story of Negro League baseball which involves gifted athletes overcoming segregation, racism, horrible conditions and low pay. Driven by their love to play ball, they went through many defeats and triumphs on and off the field. Would be a great IR for a student who loves baseball and wants to learn more about its history!

“We look at guys like Bob Gibson and Ken Griffey, Jr. and smile because we made it possible for these guys to play in the majors.”

I like that this book examined the origin of baseball for the African-Americans living in the U.S. I don‘t think I‘ve ever really learned about that before

This nonfiction book tells the story of Negro League Baseball that existed before African-Americans joined the major leagues. The illustrations are beautiful oil paintings and make everything look very smooth and shiny.

We are the ship. All else the sea

I thought that this is a great story that can teach everyone about how black men rose from the racial discrimination and went to play in the majors

Biography/historical and was written in 2008. This story is about the history of the negro baseball league. Instead of chapters they used innings. The part that is most important about this story is the racism that forced the black men to play in their own league until Jackie Robinson broke the barrier.

“We cleared the way for them and changed the course of history”

Intense story that teaches about the discrimination and has a strong theme of being strong and fighting for what you love. The oil painting are outstanding and rich in emotion

2008, nonfiction. Story of a Negro League baseball and the men who overcame segregation and hatred. takes place in the 1920s to 1947 when the decline of Jackie Robinson crosses over to the majors. They faced low pay but still persevered for their love of baseball.

Beautiful words & pictures. I love Kadir Nelson's art. We visited the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum when we were in Kansas City earlier this summer. This mural is in the neighborhood, and reminds me a bit of his work. (Muralist is Alexander Austin.)