We Are The Ship

Nelson, K.  (2008).  We are the ship.  NY:  Hyperion.

The Story Of Negro League Baseball  accounts the story of baseball played when African Americans were not allowed to play in Major League baseball.  It was a time of segregation in America.  These players loved baseball so much they were willing to play for little pay, travel all day on an old bus, and be treated unfairly compared to the white baseball players.  Kadir Nelson's story and paintings bring great life to this story of Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson.  This is a great read for all baseball lovers!

Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro League Baseball through a narrator as a collective voice.  The accounts of these African American baseball players as they ride across the country on a bus, get minimal pay, and are victims of segregation are accurate.  Nelson worked on this subject for eight years.  He interviewed baseball heroes like Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. Nelson used many books, documentaries, and films to write this book and make it as accurate as possible.

Lesson Plans-Grade 5:
http://greatminds.net/maps/documents/SLP_05_1.pdf

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPxMhZMoVk