We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Bibliography

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN 9780786808328

Plot Summary

While the struggle African Americans faced to end racial discrimination is well known and documented in history textbooks found in classrooms all over the world, the history of Negro League Baseball teams and players has remained relatively unknown to most children and adults.  In this exceptional informational account of African American baseball players who overcame overwhelming obstacles to play the sport they were born to play, Kadir Nelson uncovers the truth behind the athletes who played on the Negro League Baseball teams and the owners and managers who worked tirelessly to keep the League in business despite prejudice, hatred, and segregation.  Through the voice of an anonymous Negro League Baseball player, the reader discovers how difficult life truly was for players in the Negro Leagues.  From the awful conditions they played in every day, to the insufficient salaries they earned, the narrator paints a realistic picture of the typical Negro League player's life.  The reader learns first-hand details about the Negro League all-star players, and the stories that are shared make it feel as though you are truly listening to the memories of the players themselves.  This historical text shares every detail imaginable about the Negro Leagues - beginning with the league's formation in the 1920s through its gradual conclusion after Jackie Robinson signed with the major leagues in 1947.  The nameless and unheard of Negro League players finally receive the recognition they deserve in We Are The Ship - after all, they were the ones who helped to change the course of history by ultimately paving the way for all the athletes who would follow them and by challenging the racial prejudices of their times.

Critical Analysis

In this outstanding social history informational book, author and illustrator Kadir Nelson has hit a home-run with his beautiful tribute to the Negro League baseball players and the experiences they had while fighting for the chance to play the sport they loved.  Written from the perspective of a Negro League ballplayer, the style of the writing is personal and makes the reader feel as though they actually there with the players - standing in the dugout during the game, crouched behind the plate as the runner slides into home, or riding on the crowded bus with the rest of the team to catch the next doubleheader.  This intimate portrayal creates a fascinating text that reveals the harsh realities of the players' lives while simultaneously illuminating their endless love for the game.  The attractive design of the book invites readers of all ages, regardless of their interest in baseball.  The text is well organized and separated into nine sections, each one representing one of the nine innings of a typical baseball game.  Along with various lists of Negro League baseball players, the reader can find a detailed author's note near the end of the book, as well as a bibliography and a comprehensive index.  Throughout the text, source notes are included at the end of every sentence that contains a quotation, and baseball fans everywhere will enjoy looking up where these quotes came from in the endnotes section near the end of the book.  The logical sequence of information and the clear subheadings found at the beginning of each chapter provide helpful tools to those who are searching for specific information about the history of Negro League baseball.  Despite Nelson's extensive research and his unique style of writing, the true appeal of this book derives from his remarkable oil paintings.  The intensity with which the players loved the game and devoted themselves to the Negro League is skillfully portrayed through each spectacular painting. 

Awards

• 2009 Coretta Scott King Author Award
• 2009 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
• 2009 Orbis Pictus Honor Award
• 2009 Sibert Medal

Review Excerpts

“In this attractive, oversized book, Nelson offers an appreciative tribute to the Negro Leagues.  Adopting the perspective and voice of an elderly ballplayer, he offers a readable account that his infused with an air of nostalgic oral history...Nelson's brilliant, almost iconic paintings vividly complement his account.  Starting with the impressive cover painting of a proud, determined Josh Gibson, the artist brings to light the character and inherent dignity of his subjects...an engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages.” 
               – School Library Journal, Starred Review

"In his first outing as author as well as illustrator, Nelson delivers a history of the Negro Leagues in a sumptuous volume that no baseball fan should be without...as illuminating as the text is, Nelson's muscular paintings serve as the true draw.  His larger-than-life players have oversized hands, elongated bodies and near-impossible athleticism.  Their lined faces suggest the seriousness with which they took their sport and the circumstances under which they were made to play it." 
               – Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Nelson often works from a straight-on vantage point, as if the players took time out of the action to peer at the viewer from history, eyes leveled and challenging, before turning back to the field of play.  With enormous blue skies and jam-packed grandstands backing them, these players look like the giants they are.  The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves.  For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that.” 
               – Booklist, Starred Review

"Nelson's extensive research (including interviews with former players) yields loads of attention-grabbing details: how much money players made; where, when, and how often games took place; who the standout owners, managers, and players were; and so on.  And not surprisingly, he often returns to the impact of racism on the leagues, teams, and individual athletes.  His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson's oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives made the players look larger than life." 
               – The Horn Book, Starred Review

"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." 
               – Kirkus Book Reviews, Starred Review

"Through the 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."
               – Library Media Connection, Starred Review

Connections
We Are The Ship is a compelling informational account of an important piece of African American history.  After reading this book, children would enjoy learning more about Kadir Nelson by watching the author's interview on the Scholastic website.  Children can begin an author study by reading other books written and/or illustrated by Kadir Nelson.  Have children determine how many of his books are social histories that focus on important historical events in African American culture.  For a complete list of the books he has written and/or illustrated, see Kadir Nelson's website.


For children reading this book in high school, there are several detailed teacher guides along with other resources that may assist teachers and librarians who are planning a unit of study around the historical background of the Major League Baseball as well as Negro League Baseball.  Teachers and librarians can browse through the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Education Resource Links for helpful ideas, along with the museum's Electronic Resources for Teachers page.


For more children's books that include additional information about Negro League baseball and the talented players who played important parts in the league, see the titles below.


Cline-Ransome, Lesa. Satchel Paige. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Cohen, Barbara. Thank You, Jackie Robinson. Lothrop, 1988.
Curtis, Gavin. The Bat Boy & His Violin. Simon & Schuster, 2000.
Golenbock, Peter. Teammates. Harcourt, 1990.
Gutman, Dan. Jackie and Me: A Baseball Card Adventure. Avon, 1999.
Krull, Kathleen. Lives of the Athletes: Thrills, Spills (and What the Neighbors Thought). Harcourt, 1995.
Weatherford, Carole Boston. A Negro League Scrapbook. Boyds Mills, 2005.