WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL by Kadir Nelson

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Jump At The Sun. ISBN 0786808322

PLOT SUMMARY

Kadir Nelson tells the story of the players, managers and owners of the Negro Baseball League. When segregation shut talented players and managers out of white-owned baseball teams, they started their own teams and the Negro Baseball League was formed. This book chronicles the events of the league from when it formed in the 1920’s through the 1940’s when white-owned teams started to recruit players from the Negro Baseball League. The early days of baseball legends such as Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Leroy “Satchel” Paige are part of this historical look at not only the sport of baseball, but also segregation and the racial prejudices of the time.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Written in first person, the words carry the authenticity of someone who has lived the experience, as if the narrator is one of the unnamed members of the Negro Baseball League. The book is organized into nine “innings” that provide a historical look at a twenty-year span in the Negro Baseball League’s history. The narrative style and anecdotes of the players’ experiences on and off the field are never tedious and will keep the reader engaged. The reader is taken on the bus, inside the backrooms, into the dugout, and out onto the field of baseball of the period.

Nelson’s eye-catching paintings richly complement the text with the life-like qualities of photographs. In the Foreword, Hank Aaron says that Nelson’s paintings “eloquently bring this era to life and speak volumes about the old Negro Leagues”. Nelson admits in the “Author’s Notes” that he did take some artistic license in the paintings whenever he was unable to locate factual information about a ballpark, uniform, jersey number or other bit of lost historical detail. Nelson does note that if the color scheme of a ballpark could not be located, he filled in with “generic ballpark green”, or used a uniform style from a previous or following year. The artist also confesses to painting Cool Papa Bell in front of the right field wall because of its visual interest instead of the center field wall where Bell normally played.

In “Extra Innings”, Nelson includes information about Negro Baseball League players who made it to the major leagues as well as the players who were inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The author also provides an acknowledgment to people who made a contribution to the book either through support, resources or interviews. A bibliography, filmography, and end notes document references Nelson used in writing the book.

After spending time with this book it is easy to see why it is the winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award, 2009 Robert F. Sibert Medal, and 2009 Orbis Pictus honor award. While the book is more suitable for older students, it will be enjoyed by anyone who has not only a love for baseball, but also for well-written and beautifully illustrated books.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S):

LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION: “Through text and artwork that pulses with life, Nelson has created a book that brings personality to the Negro Baseball League. Using the voice of ‘Everyman’ in the league, this book will attract readers because of the full and double-page vibrant, realistic oil paintings, and immerse the reader in the compelling story being told.”

BOOKLIST: “Award-winning illustrator and first-time author Nelson’s history of the Negro Leagues, told from the vantage point of an unnamed narrator, reads like an old-timer regaling his grandchildren with tales of baseball greats Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and others who forged the path toward breaking the race barrier before Jackie Robinson made his historic debut. The narrative showcases the pride and comradery of the Negro Leagues, celebrates triumphing on one’s own terms and embracing adversity, even as it clearly shows the “us” and “them” mentality bred by segregation.”

KIRKUS REVIEW: “Nelson continues to top himself with each new book. Here, working solo for the first time, he pays tribute to the hardy African-American players of baseball's first century with a reminiscence written in a collective voice--"But you know something? We had many Josh Gibsons in the Negro Leagues. We had many Satchel Paiges. But you never heard about them"--matched to a generous set of full-page painted portraits and stadium views. Generally viewed from low angles, the players seem to tower monumentally, all dark-skinned game faces glowering up from the page and big, gracefully expressive hands dangling from powerful arms. Arranging his narrative into historical "Innings," the author closes with lists of Negro Leaguers who played in the Majors, and who are in the Baseball Hall of Fame, plus a detailed working note. Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times.”

CONNECTIONS

This book could be used during a unit on African-American history.

Other Coretta Scott King Award books:
Bryan, Ashley. BEAUTIFUL BLACKBIRD. ISBN 0689847319.
McKissack, Pat. GOIN’ SOMEPLACE SPECIAL. ISBN 0689818858.
Curtis, Christopher Paul. ELIJAH OF BUXTON. ISBN 0439023440.

Other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson:
Ntozake, Shange. ELLINGTON WAS NOT A STREET. ISBN 0689828845.
Jordan, Deloris. SALT IN HIS SHOES: MICHAEL JORDAN IN PURSUIT OF A DREAM. ISBN 0689833717.
Weatherford, Carole Boston. MOSES: WHEN HARRIET TUBMAN LED HER PEOPLE TO FREEDOM. ISBN 0786851759.