We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

Nelson, Kadir. We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball. Disney Press, 2008. 96 pages. Tr. $18.99. ISBN 978-0-7868-0832-8.

Nelson, Kadir. We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball. Narrated by Dion Graham. Brilliance Audio, 2009. CD, 120 minutes. $19.99 ISBN 978-1-4233-7536-4.

Annotation: The history, life style, challenges, discrimination, and popularity of Negro League Baseball from the 1920’s until 1947 is explored through text and paintings.

Summary: This is a fitting tribute to Negro League Baseball. It describes the beginning and history of the leagues, the players, the style of play and the league’s ultimate collapse when Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. An elderly fictional baseball player gives an insider account of what is was like to experience segregated baseball. Since blacks were banned from playing in the major leagues, Rube Foster organized the Leagues and offered African Americans the chance to earn a living playing baseball. The accounts of great players like Josh Gibson and Satchel Paige are detailed. The impact of racism is discussed as well as how the League ultimately enabled black players to be given the chance to play in the major leagues.

Evaluation: This history book reads like a compelling story. Nine chapters (or innings) are chronologically presented with beautifully vivid muscular oil paintings spread throughout. The conservational text and the larger-than-life illustrations complement each other. The history of the Negro leagues and the discrimination that the players endured are brought to life. Recommended for ages 6 to 16.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Sports, Baseball, African Americans, History, Racism, Discrimination

Awards: 2009 Coretta Scott King Award Winner – Author, 2009 Coretta Scott King Award Honor Book – Illustrator, Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner- Children’s Book, 2009 ALA Notable Children’s Book, 2010 Odyssey Honor Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production, 2010 ALA Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults Award

The Friendship by Mildred D.Taylor

Taylor, Mildred D. The Friendship. Penguin Group, Inc., 1987. 56 pages. Tr. $16.99. ISBN
978-0-8037-0417-6.

Annotation: In 1933 in the state of Mississippi, some black children witness a violent confrontation between an elderly black man, Mr. Tom Bee and a white storeowner. Mr. Tom Bee learns the hard way that kindness and friendship do not always have power over racism in the South.

Summary: The year is 1933 and the setting is rural Mississippi. Cassie Logan and her brothers go to the store for some medicine. While there they see a confrontation between Mr. Tom Bee, an elderly black man and a white store owner, John Wallace. The friendship between the men is put to the test against a background of racism and civil rights. Mr. Bee addresses the store owner, John, by his first name, which is forbidden to do by blacks. Mr. Bee had saved John’s life on a number of occasions and had even cared for him like a son in his own home. John had given Tom Bee previous permission to call him by his first name. But under pressure and taunting from other white men in his store, John reneges on his promise and shoots Tom in the leg as punishment for such unacceptable behavior.

Evaluation: This book is based on an actual event. Mildred Taylor wrote this story based on family stories that were handed down to her from her father. The simply written but powerful story of paints a clear picture of the tragedy of prejudice and racism in the United States in the 21st century. Children will marvel at the courage it takes to stand up for what you believe despite the social norms of the time. Recommended for ages 7 to 14.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Historical, Racism, African Americans, Violence, Friendship

Awards: 1988 Coretta Scott King Award Winner, 1988 Boston Globe-Horn Award Winner- Fiction

The Watsons Go to Birmingham, 1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Curtis, Christopher Paul. The Watsons Go To Birmingham- 1963. Random House Children’s Books, 1997. 224 pages. pap. $6.99. ISBN 978-0-440-41412-4.

Annotation: A black family from Michigan decides to spend the summer in Alabama during 1963 when racism and civil rights tensions are high. Their grandmother’s church is bombed and the impact of violence will prove to strengthen their family’s love and endurance.

Summary: A middle class black family from Flint Michigan decides to spend the summer in Birmingham, Alabama during the year 1963. Kenny’s older brother, Byron, is getting into too much trouble with city life and gangs and needs to be straightened out by his strong grandma. Kenny, the narrator, tells of his family’s experiences, both humorous and tragic as they deal with both northern and southern racism. Curtis writes thoughtfully about family relations, civil rights, and the impact of violence. When a local church is bombed and the whereabouts of Kenny’s sister, Joetta, is uncertain, the strength of family love and endurance is revealed. The story is especially compelling because it is a fictional account of an actual event- the September 15th, 1963 bombing of the 16th Avenue Baptist Church in Birmingham which killed four teenage girls.

Evaluation: This well-written book is both funny and serious. The reader gets to know what a wonderfully wacky family the Watson’s are and share in their sorrow when violence erupts upon this undeserving family. The family comedy turns into a national tragedy with hope for a future filled with equality and acceptance. Recommended for ages 10 to 16.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Fiction, Historical, Family, Racism, African Americans, Violence

Awards: 1995 Golden Kite Award Winner- Fiction, 1996 Newbery Award Honor Book, 1996 Coretta Scott King Honor Book Award, 1996 Jane Addams Children’s Honor Book Award, 1996 ALA Best Books for Young Adults, 1996 ALA Notable Children’s Book

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

Myers, Walter Dean. Jazz. Illustrated by Christopher Myers. Holiday House, 2006. 44 pages. Tr. $18.95. ISBN 978-0-82-341545-8.

Myers, Walter Dean. Jazz. Narrated by James “D-Train” Williams and Vaneese Thomas. Live Oak Media, 2007. Cd with Hardback book, 43 minutes. $28.95. ISBN 978-1-43-010022-5.

Annotation: The history and feel of jazz music is presented beautifully in both poetry and picture.

Summary: An introduction to American jazz music is given through both pictures and words. Through varied poetic forms, the history, technical background, major musicians, styles, and influences are presented. The pulsating acrylic illustrations compliment the upbeat text. A jazz glossary and historical timeline add to the exploration of this important musical style.

Evaluation: Word and picture combine wonderfully to give the feeling and rhythm of American jazz music. The deeply rich and expressionistic illustrations flow like melodic music over the pages. The poems read like jazz music is played. Recommended for ages 4 to 9.

Genre / Subject: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Music, Jazz, Musicians, Stories in Verse, Poetry

Awards: 2007 ALA Notable Books for Children, 2007 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award, 2007 Golden Kite Award Winner – Picture Book Text, 2008 Odyssey Award Winner for Excellence in Audiobook Production