Wednesday, October 13, 2010

We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson

book jacket


BIBLIOGRAPHY: Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We are the Ship-The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York, NY: Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books For Children. ISBN 9780786808328

PLOT SUMMARY: The story about the Negro League Baseball and its heroes.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS: Nelson's social historical informational book about Negro baseball is visually stimulating, with his paintings from photographs. Commenting on the social climate and racism of the time, Nelson, depicts the unsung heroes and the league of the early days a baseball. In keeping with the theme of baseball, the "chapters" of the book are entitled "Innings". For example, the first chapter is "1st Inning-Beginnings" and the last chapter is, of course, "9th Inning". The epilogue is"Extra Innings". The illustrations add to the remarkable design of the book, engrossing the reader into the passion of Nelson on this subject.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPT(S):
Coretta Scott King Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Sibert Medal

From School Library Journal
Starred Review. "Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award.—Tricia Melgaard, Centennial Middle School, Broken Arrow, OK

From Booklist
"With enormous blue skies and jam-packed grandstands backing them, these players look like the giants they are."--Ian Chipman


CONNECTIONS: Social studies/History units of racism, discrimination, inequality, segregation and baseball. Pair with other books, such as Heroes of the Negro League by Jack Morelli and Only the Ball Was White: A History of Legendary Black Players and All-Black Professional Teams by Robert Peterson

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