We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball
Nelson, K. (2008). We
are the ship: The story of the Negro League baseball. New York, NY: Jump at
the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children.
In a time when there were separate leagues for black and white baseball players, the Negro League was a force to be reckoned with. This nonfiction book tells the story from when the Negro League first formed in the 1920's until it eventually ended in 1960. Before this black baseball players were sometimes allowed to play on white teams, but were discriminated against and treated disgracefully. Once the Negro League formed, they had something to call their own and had their own set of rules for playing. There were very talented players who excelled and made a name for themselves like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Cool Papa Bell. The book also tells of the popularity of baseball in Latin America and how players from the Negro League would often go to play there, but soon get homesick and return to the US. The book also tells the effect of players leaving the league to go to war in 1941 and then how the first black baseball player was drafted to the major leagues, Jackie Robinson.
This book is important to teach children the history of African-Americans in our sports leagues. It is suitable for all ages, but best for best for older children as it is text heavy and longer than most picture books. It does a good job of telling the history of the Negro League and includes facts and beautiful, realistic artwork that bring the game to life.
Website for We Are the Ship:
BBC Newscast about We Are the Ship including interview with author/illustrator Kadir Nelson:
Book trailer for Heart and Soul, another book by Kadir Nelson:
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