Author: Kadir Nelson
Title: We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: Informational, African American History/ Baseball, Prejudice and Racism
Theme: How African American Baseball was able to cope during a time of racial discrimination.
Primary and Secondary Characters: Various African American baseball players, team owners and managers.
Awards: Sibert Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, CASEY Award.
Publishing Company: Hyperion Books for Children
Date of Publication: January 2008
Brief Summary and How to Use With Students:
We Are the Ship gives a well organized and detailed account of Negro League Baseball. It introduces different players and gives us an interesting glimpse of their role within the league. Throughout the books “innings” we learn how the league formed, how the players were treated, how they played the game, and even how American Baseball became integrated. One of the greatest joys you will experience from reading this book is its visual quality. The pictures are just so captivating! From the dust on the uniforms to the sweat on a player’s brow, Kadir Nelson achieved perfection with each painting.
We Are the Ship is directed towards male readers between the ages of 8 to 10. It could be used as a class read during Black History Month or for a lesson covering segregation in America.
