We Are The Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball

By Kadir Nelson (author/illustrator)
(forward by Hank Aaron)
ISBN: 0786808322
Publisher: Jump at the Sun
Publishing Date:January 1, 2008

Plot:
We Are The Ship follows, the beginnings of the Negro Baseball League and follows the hardships and events throughout the late 1800's-1900's. It focuses on many of the players that formed the league as well as the "popular" and more well known players that changed the way America "played ball." Each chapter opens with an "inning" and follows the beginnings to the eventual demise of this less than famous baseball league. The narration of the book is straight forward and factual more than "fictionalized" or "story-like" as some biographical books can be. The illustrations are incredibly painted, and very life-like with details down to the pores on the players, inviting readers to spend more time looking over these details separate from the text.

Critical Analysis:
Upon researching the Negro Baseball League, I found that there was almost more information found in We Are The Ship rather than through various web sites. The book focuses on the beginning stages and the suffering that many of these infant leagues went through. It appears that many of the men had to work harder and for little if no pay at all, for a game and sport they loved dearly and wanted equal share with. In fact, many of these hardships and unfair practices produced equipment that is currently in use, such as: shin guards and the batting helmet. This because the rules were thrown out where and when Negros played, therefore injuries and persistence were the name of the game.

Personally, I had not heard of the Negro Baseball League, but of course the more popular negro baseball players on white teams, but not of the league itself. The book covers much of the hardships and trial of the teams/players/owners, but in a matter-of-fact rather than reaching any emotional depth, which left me feeling less sympathetic and understanding of just what and how the players felt. I did get a sense of persistence, commitment, and tenacity each player had to endure in order to be successful, as much as possible considering the circumstances occurring during the late 1800's through the 1900's. Yet after reading this book, it did encourage researching and discovering of more information from these remarkable players.


Awards/Reviews:
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nomination
Coretta Scott King Award Winner (author and illustrations)
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner

School Library Journal (01/01/2008):
It is an engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages."

Booklist (02/01/2008):
The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leagues, who deserve a more prominent place on baseballs history shelves.

Connections:
Upon introducing this book as a part of the Bluebonnet nomination, I could not help but stress intensity of the illustrations; big, bold, and so life-like. I also connected with students who play sports, and might like a little history of the sport.