Non-Fiction: We Are The Ship

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL. New York City, NY: Hyperion. ISBN 0763645028

PLOT SUMMARY

The Negro League’s story comes to life in Kadir Nelson’s, We Are the Ship. The narrative of the story is divided into 9 innings with a bonus extra inning at the end. Kadir weaves a story of social and political division during the early 1900’s. Each inning tells of a different aspect of the history of the Negro League from beginnings with Rube Foster to its end as Jackie Robinson raced on the scene. The innings tell of the triumphs the players enjoyed as well as the hard ships and setbacks they endured. Players often had to deal with segregated cities and towns where they were taunted and made fun all while having to sleep in buses or ballparks because they could not sleep in the “whites only” hotels. Kadir perfectly explains the story of a group of men who often faded into the background while their white counterparts enjoyed immense success.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro Leagues through the use of beautiful paintings and words. The use of double page spreads and portraits of players are used to immerse the reader in the story. The reader is able to connect with these players because they can see them as people through the paintings. He also uses paintings of ticket stubs, ballparks and games to tell his story.

Kadir uses a conversational and storytelling tone as he weaves this story. The reader might feel as if they are sitting in a baseball field listening to these men tell their stories themselves. The reader is provided with many sources at the end of the book for further reading. The reader may also be able to obtain a CD with certain versions of the book that contain the author’s oil paintings, a blues guitar introduction and the foreword read by Dion Graham.

REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL: “Nelson's stunning oil paintings are included on a CD—but make sure to have the book available as well. Social studies teachers and baseball fans of all ages will covet this delightful winner of the 2009 Coretta Scott King author award and illustrator Honor award.”

BOOKLIST: “The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball’s history shelves. For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that.”

CONNECTIONS

*Have students watch There Was Always Sun Shining: life in the Negro Baseball Leagues by Refocus Films. It is available through PBS.

*Other non-fiction about the Negro Baseball League:
Hogan, Lawrence. SHADES OF GLORY: THE NEGRO LEAGUES AND THE STORY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN BASEBALL. ISBN 0792253068

Peterson, Robert. ONLY THE BALL WAS WHITE: A HISTORY OF LEGENDARY BLACK PLAYERS AND ALL-BLACK PROFESSIONAL TEAMS. ISBN 0195076370