 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
- By Kadir Nelson
- Genre: Sports
Common Sense Media says
Amazing paintings + compelling history = a grand slam.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is an important and valuable book that gives new insight into African-American history and the history of baseball.
What's the story?
Even staunch fans of baseball may not know the stories of the Negro League. During segregation, gifted African-American athletes created their own league. Beginning in the 1920s, the actions of these hard-working, passionate athletes helped to create the game of baseball as it's played today. Kadir Nelson writes about their struggles and successes and includes the personal anecdotes that truly make history come alive. He writes from the vantage point of an anonymous player to create a stronger sense of intimacy. This decision also gives him sway to personalize and editorialize some of the stories, helping kids understand the context of some of the players' more troublesome behaviors.
Is it any good?
You could take away the fascinating, well-researched text and this book would still be a stand-out. Nelson's paintings showcase the players as the heroes they were and give added emotional heft to their compelling stories. The athletes stand tall and serious, making eye contact with the reader to bring kids into the narrative.
Fortunately Nelson's words do his pictures justice. This is no boring history book -- the narrator has a relaxed way of telling the stories that is sure to interest most kids (and their parents). This is a much needed, beautifully produced book that belongs on the shelves of both baseball fans and history buffs.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about why the history of the Negro League isn't common knowledge and take note of the ways the Negro League impacted the way baseball is played today. The extensive bibliography in the back also gives kids more ways to explore the players and the league.
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| Topics: | sports and martial arts |
| Author: | Kadir Nelson |
| Illustrator: | Kadir Nelson |
| Book type: | Non-Fiction |
| Genre: | Sports |
| Publication date: | January 8, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 96 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 12 |
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