Review by Booklist Review
Ages 6-8. Through an intriguing interplay of black-and-white archival photos with evocative original watercolors, a momentous era in professional baseball and in American history comes into focus. Using minimal words and memorable images, acclaimed sports writer Golenbock conveys a sense of segregated life in the U.S. of the 1940s, introduces readers to the Negro Leagues, and describes the dichotomy between them and the major leagues. The determination of visionary Branch Rickey to integrate baseball, the strength of Jackie Robinson to silently withstand abuse for being the first black to play in the majors, and the courage of Dodger teammate Pee Wee Reese to accept Robinson as a ball player and as a human being are succinctly spotlighted here. The incidents described are historic and factual; colored with Bacon's dramatic illustrations, they are certain to make an impression on young baseball buffs. --Ellen Mandel
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Enhanced by an unusual combination of archival photographs and vigorous illustrations, this thoughtful, noteworthy book chronicles Jackie Robinson's early days with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Ages 6-9. (Aug.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 6-- Golenbock has taken a single moment of baseball history, set it in its social context, and created a simple and moving tribute to courage and brotherhood. While other biographies of Robinson, and Robinson himself in I Never Had It Made (Putnam, 1972; o.p.), set the incident in Boston, Golenbock places it in Cincinnati, near Reese's Kentucky home. The event occurred during Jackie Robinson's first season with the Dodgers. Listening to the hatred that spilled out of the stands, Pee Wee Reese left his position at shortstop, walked over to Robinson at first base, put his around Robinson's shoulder, chatted for a few moments, and then returned to his position. The crowd was stunned into silence. Bacon has illustrated the book with an effective blend of photographs and drawings. Golenbock briefly but clearly describes the background of Robinson's entry into the National League, as well as Reese's background as a southerner and as the player with the most to fear if Robinson were successful--both men were shortstops (although Robinson would ultimately play second base). There have been several recent books about Robinson for young readers, such as David Adler's Jackie Robinson: He Was the First (Holiday, 1989) and Jim O'Connor's Jackie Robinson and the Story of All-Black Baseball (Random, 1989), but none of them have the style or dramatic impact of Golenbock and Bacon's work. This is a wonderful and important story, beautifully presented, but the geographic confusion is disturbing. --Elaine Fort Weischedel, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Baseball history is brought vividly to life in a fine collaboration between author and artist that tells the story of Branch Rickey's recruitment of Jackie Robinson. From HORN BOOK 1990, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Once upon a time. . .when automobiles were black and looked like tanks and laundry was white and hung on clotheslines""--so begins this graceful, lucid account of the pivotal events that began with Branch Rickey's decision to hire Jackie Robinson as the first Negro League star of a major league team. Golenbock is candid about the choice of a man ""with the courage not to fight back,"" as well as about the ugly reception Robinson had from both the public and his new team, until--in the book's moving climax--Pee Wee Reese made a public move to stand by Robinson. Bacon's skillful, realistic illustrations, used in combination with occasional well-chosen photos, are as eloquent as the simple text. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
