We Are The Ship

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: the story of negro league baseball. New York: Jump at the Sun/ Hyperion Books for Children.

Told from a Negro League ball player's point of view, We Are The Ship gives the history of segregation in baseball. Major league teams excluded black players in the late 1800s, and in 1920 The Negro National League was  formed. When playing in the south, they had to be careful around the citizens and were treated poorly. They didn't earn a fraction of what white ball players earned, but they played for the love of the game. Eventually major league owners took notice of some outstanding Negro League players, and in 1945 Jackie Robinson opened the door and signed with the Brooklyn Dodgers. It was a beginning of equal rights, but an end to the Negro league. The beautiful, detailed and colorful pictures jump off of the page and allow the reader to experience the history. The book feels as if someone is recalling stories from their past life and bringing you on their journey with them.