WE ARE THE SHIP: A STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL by Kadir Nelson

Bibliography
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: A STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. Ills. Kadir Nelson. New York, NY. ISBN 9780786808328

Plot Summary
Kadir Nelson tells the stories of the African-American men who formed their own baseball teams and league during segregation in the 1920's. The story is told in "9 Innings" each an important part in the history of the rise and fall of Negro League Baseball. Each "inning" is full of facts, details, and characters who struggle with discrimination and fame, victory and defeat, and many other perils of life in the early 20th century.

Critical Analysis
Nelson writes as if he is one of the players, an anonymous bystander of the action. "We played a different brand of baseball from the majors." Nelson's voice seems natural and conversational. The story, while saturated with facts and information, flows and has a story-like feel that would appeal to children of many ages. The full-page color paintings do the text, as well as the men and times they represent, justice. A two-page fold-out spread of a "Colored World Series" ticket opens up to a panoramic painting of the two teams playing standing side by side with coaches and owners. The player's names are all written underneath. Readers can spot the players they have been reading about in the line-up. Nelson includes quotes from the people involved with the leagues at the time throughout the book. The inside covers are covered with quotes, a quote is used at the beginning of each "inning" the quote that inspired the title of the book, "We are the ship; all else the sea" begins the story. Nelson includes a forward written by Hank Aaron, a list of "Negro Leaguers who Made it to the Major Leagues," a list of those who made it into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, acknowledgments, bibliography, filmography, end notes, and an index, as well as a Note from the Author.

Review Excerpts
Winner of Sibert Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Starred Review in School Library Journal: "Nelson's brilliant, almost iconic paintings vividly complement his account."
Starred Review in Publisher's Weekly: "delivers the history of the Negro Leagues in a sumptuous volume that no baseball fan should be without."

Connections
*visit www.wearetheship.com
*include as a supplement to African-American history study