Brothers at Bat: The True Story of an Amazing All-brother Baseball Team

Author: Audrey Vernick
Illustrator:   Steven Salerno
Publisher:  Clarion
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   NYT Notable, Booklist Editor's Choice

A NewYork Times Notable Book for 2012
A 2012 Booklist Editor's Choice
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Summary:  "It sounds like a fairy tale: twelve baseball-playing brothers." But the Acerro family was real and they had 16 children- 12 boys who formed their own semi-pro team in 1938. In the 1940s, six of the brothers joined the armed forces during World War II. After the war, they continued playing together even while starting careers and families of their own. In 1997, the family was put into the Baseball Hall of Fame and the seven brothers still living made the trip to the ceremony. Beautiful colorful, realistic drawings fill the spreads with details of the times in which the Acerro brothers lived.

Classroom Ideas: Classroom studies of the 1940s/1950s, with a mention of World War II. I can see boys in particular being very interested in this story, and there is a lovely lesson here about love of activity and family.

Extras: Author's note with a photograph of the family. Artist's note about his own family story.

You Never Heard of Willie Mays?

Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator:   Terry Widener
Publisher:  Schwartz & Wade
Publication Year:   2013
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Booklist Top Ten, Publisher's Weekly & Kirkus starred reviews,

Summary:  "You never heard of Willie Mays?! THE Willie Mays?! Oh, geez, where to begin?" As accessibly written as any non-fiction I've ever read, this book tells the story of the life of Willie Mays starting as a kid in 1941. Willie was a natural and he grew up to play pro ball in the Negro League and then finally in the major leagues for the New York Giants. After serving in World War II, Mays returned to play on TV and show America that a black player could be one of the best to ever play the game. The conversational tone would appeal to any child reader who's interested in baseball.

Classroom Ideas: classroom studies of civil rights, segregation, World War II

Extras: Detailed facts given in small green "tickets" included within the text, glossary, resources, quotations, author's note, lenticular cover

We are the Ship: Te Story of Negro League Baseball

Author & Illustrator:   Kadir Nelson
Publisher:  Hyperion
Publication Year:   2008
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:  Coretta Scott King Award, NYT Best Illustrated; Booklist, Publisher's Weekly, School Library Journal, Hornbook, & Kirkus starred reviews 

Summary:  This is a very text-heavy book that tells the history of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s to the decline in the 1940s. The voice is that of someone who lived through the time period and is telling memories of the times. Each chapter is named for an inning in the game. The book is illustrated with breathtaking oil paintings that are reminiscent of Norman Rockwell's style. The emotion and affection for the game and the heroes of the League are evident in the beautiful paintings. My favorite is the full spread entitled "Night Game." 

Classroom Ideas: This book would be an excellent resource during the study of segregation and civil rights. I can see it appealing to many boys who love baseball and don't know as much about the history of the Negro League.

Extras: The book begins with quotations from famous players and a foreward by Hank Aaron. It ends with an author's note from Nelson about his interest and research along with a Bibliography and Index.