We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson

Nelson, K. (2008).  We are the ship. NY: Hyperion.

Interest level  3rd grade +

Summary and Analysis 

The book entitled, We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson is the story of the Negro League baseball.  It explains how African Americans were not allowed to play professional baseball.  It tells the tale of their segregation and discrimination and how they struggled to play America's game.  The book is valuable example of an author's style.  Nonfiction books should be informative and enjoyable.  Nelson captures the love of baseball and the struggle to be able to play the game in this book to make this book enjoyable. The art work is breathtakingly realistic.  It incorporates documented facts (bibliography, end notes, acknowledgement, and filmography), while bringing to life the stories of the African American players on the teams.  

Review

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 3 Up—A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players. The history of the Leagues echoes the social and political struggles of black America during the first half of the 20th century. There were scores of ballplayers who never became as famous as Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb and were almost lost in obscurity because of segregation—and Nelson recreates their history here. The narrative is divided into nine innings, beginning with Rube Foster and his formation of the first Negro League in 1920 and closing with Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier into white major league baseball. In between are fascinating snippets of the events and men who formed the Negro Leagues. Listeners glimpse the pain black Americans endured because of bigotry and segregation, but the true center of this story is the joy of baseball and the joy men felt at being able to play the game. Hall of Famer Hank Aaron, who began playing with the Negro Leagues, provides the foreword. Eloquent narration is performed by actor Dion Graham, and a bluesy guitar introduction and conclusion is reminiscent of the time period. Nelson's stunning oil paintings are included on a CD—but make sure to have the book available as well. 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
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Audio CD edition.


http://wearetheship.com/