January 4th 2022 by Clarion Books
E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus
In this picture book biography, we see young Larry Doby follow a typical course of life for his time period; growing up in the segregated South but still playing sports with all manner of neighborhood children, having to join the Navy, and playing in the Negro Leagues before being signed by the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians) eleven weeks after Jackier Robinson was the first Black player in the major leagues. Doby faced much of the same prejudice and discrimination that Robinson did, but persevered. The last team to finally sign a Black player did so in 1959. There were still issues, but Doby did get to experience a number of "firsts" to take some of the sting out of being the "second". Notes, a photograph, and a selected bibliography round out the book. Vernick has baseball chops (2014's Screaming at the Ump), and Chapman's illustrations have a charming, 1950s reading texbook feel to them,and are heavy on red, blue, and sand colors. (TO be clear, I love 1950s reading textbooks!) This is a great addition to a collection of sports picture books, or picture books about pioneers in the area of Civil Rights.
No comments:
Post a Comment