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Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

(2009, Non-Fiction - Biography, Written by Sharon Robinson, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 5.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Daughter's memory of her bigger-than-life, courageous dad.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships

Why We Rated This on for Ages 5 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    In his daughter's admiring eyes, Jackie Robinson was a loving, brave father whose courage extended far beyond the baseball field.

  • Role models:

    Just one more story of why Jackie Robinson should be a role model for us all, this time outside of baseball.  Though he can't even swim, and is afraid of water, he tests the ice before letting his daughter and the neighborhood kids skate on the pond.

  • Illustrations:

    Expressively rich watercolors by Caldecott winning illustrator Kadir Nelson give a sincere realism to this inspirational story. His characters, especially Jackie Robinson, are large and full of life, filling page after page with scenes of tenderness, strength, and genuine family fun. 
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson

Parents need to know that this uplifting and personal story, told by Jackie Robinson's daughter, is about her father's bravery, outside of baseball. 

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about who Jackie Robinson was, and why was he so important in baseball.  What kind of person do you think he was? Do you think he ever got mad when things were unfair or scary? What did he do about it?
  • Do you think he was brave to test the ice when he was afraid to swim in the pond in the summertime? Why did he do it? How does that show what kind of man he was? Would you have done what he did? How do you think he felt as he walked out onto the ice?
  • What makes someone a hero? Do you know anyone who has done anything hard, just to help others?
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