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

Reviewed by Mrs. Manore at Orenda

Five paw prints!! First, I realize Miss Dewey usually does these reviews, but she is still in bed because she says the weather is too cold to come out and read. Second, I LOVE baseball stories and I’m especially interested in Negro baseball. I grew up hearing baseball stories and hearing about baseball history. So, when I saw a new book about Negro baseball by Kadir Nelson (a nationally known, award winning illustrator) I knew I had to read this book. I am so happy I read it. In fact, I had a hard time putting this book down. I liked reading about how early players black played with more enthusiasm then the traditional major leagues players. They played year round around the world because they loved to play. Black players were treated very poorly in white towns where segregation was the law. Yet a baseball commissioner and a baseball team owner were willing to risk their lives to allow a black baseball player to join a major league team. Jackie Robinson may not have been the best black baseball player, but he was the best person to join major league baseball. In my opinion, this book should win MANY awards, including the Newbery, Coretta Scott King, and Sibert honors. I will be very disappointed if it doesn’t. Please visit the following websites, http://www.nlbm.com/ and http://web.baseballhalloffame.org/index.jsp to learn more about Negro Baseball.
796.35 Nel