We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

1. Bibliography

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York: Jump at the Sun/Disney Hyperion. ISBN 0-7868-0832-2

2. Summary

Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through the decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. Each chapter presents players, teams, locations, owners, discrimination faced by the teams, and how the Negro League players’ style of play changed the game of baseball. The last chapter, “Extra Innings,” explains why the Negro Leagues ended, and its importance in baseball and American history. An index, a bibliography, and author’s note, and source notes are also included.

3. Critical Analysis

Kadir Nelson tells this story from the vantage point of an unnamed narrator; it reads like an old-timer reliving his memories of the baseball greats with his grandchildren. The “collective we” of the first person text makes the reader feel as if an old-time ballplayer were speaking directly to him. Each chapter deals with an important aspect of the Negro league player’s challenges and successes and is told with such passion that the reader feels as though they are standing on the playing field with the heat rising through their cleats. 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.

Nelson’s magnificent oil paintings are often 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. 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.

4. Awards and Review Excerpts

- AWARDS -

Coretta Scott King Award, 2009 Honor Book Illustrator

Coretta Scott King Award, 2009 Winner Author

Cybil Award, 2008 Finalist Non-Fiction Middle Grade/Young Adult Book United States
International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List, 2010 Honour List Illustrator Canada
Judy Lopez Memorial Award for Children's Literature, 2009 Winner California United States
New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year, 2008 Winner United States
Odyssey Award, 2010 Honor United States
Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 2009 Honor Book United States
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal, 2009 Winner United States
School Library Journal Battle of the (Kids') Books, 2009 Nominee United States
Society of Illustrators' Award, 2008 Silver Medal United States
Society of School Librarians International Book Awards, 2008 Honor Book Social Studies - Grades K-6 United States

- REVIEW EXCERPTS -

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE review: “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. If the story is the pitch, though, it’s the artwork that blasts the book into the stands.”

KIRKUS 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.”

5. Connections

Have students read other books about Negro league baseball and write a summary paper about it.

Have a discussion about how the students’ think the players in the Negro league felt (both positive and negative feelings) and why they might have felt that way.

Use when learning about segregation.