Jackie Robinson

Children's Literature

When Robinson first joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, he broke the traditional color barrier that had prevented African-American players from becoming members of big league baseball teams. This action took tremendous courage because many fans and ballplayers were extremely prejudiced against black people. Pitchers threw balls at his head and he was called disrespectful names, but he kept his dignity and never fought back. He became the National League's Most Valuable Player in 1949 and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was born in 1919, the son of a Georgia farmer and grandson of a slave. He was an outstanding school athlete, starring in baseball, football, basketball, and track and won a scholarship to UCLA. After serving in the Army during World War II, he began his baseball career in the segregated Negro League as an outstanding hitter, fielder, and runner. Subsequently, he opened the doors of baseball's major leagues to African-American and Hispanic players. The simple, authoritative text is illustrated by good black-and-white, full-page photographs. An index, reading list, glossary, time line, and Web sites are included. It is part of the "Equal Rights Leaders" series. 2003, Rourke,
— Patricia Dole