Non-fiction Book Review

We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

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

     We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball is an example of creative non-fiction.  The author, Kadir Nelson tells the history of blacks playing baseball from the 1860's until 1960 when the Negro League finally ended.  Nelson's tone is conversational as he leads the reader through the decades.  Many people have heard of the Negro League, but how many really know the history behind it.  This book is a first step in learning about that rich history.  Nelson is also the illustrator for the book.  The paintings help the words come to life and are an indispensable part of the book.  

     I never knew that I knew so little about Negro League Baseball until I read this book.  Kadir Nelson does a great job of telling the history of the league, while weaving in the daily reality of racism these men faced.  I did not realize that the majority of the teams were owned by other blacks at the heyday of the Negro League.  The tile of the book conveys this message.  As Rube Foster, the organizer of the Negro League put it:

"We are the ship," he proudly declared; "all else the sea." (p. 9)

He understood that if Negroes were to play in professional baseball, they would have to organize a league themselves.  He wanted the Negro League to play against the National and American Leagues.

The pictures painted by Nelson pulled me into the story and added another dimension to the book.  Normally I would not be interested in learning about sports, but Nelson's easy going style and pictures drew me in.  If you want to know more about the Negro League in a style that is easy to read, I would recommend this book.  Fourth graders and up that are interested in sports would love this book.  I would also recommend it for middle and high school students, except for the way the book is published.  It is a big coffee table type of book that older students would not carry around.  This is a shame because it is a book with a lot to offer.  It is also available in audio books, but then you don't get the great impact of the paintings.


Listen and watch Kadir Nelson talk about We are the Ship:

Below is an interview with Kadir Nelson talking about his life as an illustrator.  It is presented by AdLit.org a site about adolescent literacy for parents and educators for children in grades 4 - 12.

Learn more about adolescent literacy at:

• AdLit

More books on the Negro League are:

• Negro League Baseball: The Rise and Ruin of a Black Institution
• Negro League (African American Achievers)
• Life in the Negro Leagues (Way People Lived)

Check out these sites to learn more about the Negro League:

• Negro League Baseball
• Negro League Baseball Museum
• Negro League Baseball Player Association
• Interview with the oldest living Negro League Player Elmer Carter

To learn more about Kadir Nelson:

• Books by and illustrated by Kadir Nelson
• Interview by Readingrockets.org with Kadir Nelson
• Read a short biography about Kadir Nelson
• Interview with Kadir Nelson about We are the Ship