We are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball

Nelson, K.  (2008).  We are the ship: The story of the Negro League Baseball.  New York: 

Hyperion Books for Children.

Though African Americans dreamed of playing for Major League Baseball (MLB), they knew it was an impossibility because they were segregated and discriminated against.  However, they never let that deter them from playing and enjoying the sport of baseball, hence the creation of the Negro League Baseball (NLB).  But when the Brooklyn Dodgers drafted Jackie Robinson, who had to overcome discrimination from his team and many others over the years, the MLB eventually opened their doors to African Americans, thus changing the way the game has been played ever since.  Nelson’s attention to detail in his vibrant portrait-like illustrations add faces to the names of these NLB baseball players, which makes the history of the NLB more meaningful.  Because there is a lot of baseball terms and lingo, this is a read for secondary level kids and a definite read for baseball fans and players.  This informational text could also be a resource for history teachers covering segregation, and offers great topics for research.  This is a 2009 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner.  Here is the link to the book’s website: http://www.wearetheship.com/about-the-book.html