Review of WE ARE THE SHIP The Story of Negro League Baseball

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP; THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786808328

PLOT SUMMARY:
Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro League Baseball teams. Well researched, and inspired by both a project while a student at Pratt Institute and Ken Burns' series about baseball, Nelson has written a beautiful tribute to the members of the former Negro League teams. The narration is done as a collective voice, and is as entertaining as it is informative. His paintings were based on research, but he admits in his Author's Note that he used some creative license.

Critical Analysis:
This book can be summed up in a word: beautiful. The narration is used as a collective voice, speaking for the many players that played in the Negro Leagues from the beginning in the 1920's to the ending that began around 1947. Forced out of the majors, the players formed their own league and the many teams were both entertaining and very skilled. They loved the game and had plenty of fans. Kadir Nelson, until this offering has illustrated books, but this time illustrated and wrote the book that includes lists for those members who made it to the major leagues, as well as the Baseball Hall of Fame, a bibliography, filmography, end notes for each chapter, and an index. There is a four page spread for the painting of the First Colored World Series portrait of the players, managers and officials. A foreward is offered by Hank Aaron and the text of the book is so captivating it makes it difficult to put down. The most compelling eighty-eight pages about baseball a young reader can encounter. This book won the Robert F. Sibert medal, the Coretta Scott King Honor medal and the Coretta Scott King winner medal.

Review Excerpt(s):
School Library Journal: "Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winnerof the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award illustrator honor award."

The Washington Post: "Divided into chapters labeled "innings", Nelson's inspiring book is a riveting read that is sure to be a home run with both kids and adults."

CONNECTIONS:

• Baseball books:

Feinstein, John. CHANGE-UP: MYSTERY AT THE WORLD SERIES. ISBN 9780375847592

Corbett, Sue. FREE BASEBALL. ISBN 9780142410806

Ritter, John H. BOY WHO SAVED BASEBALL. ISBN 9780142402863

Mochizuki, Ken. BASEBALL SAVED US. ISBN 9780785764601