Review: We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson



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

1.      BIBLIOGRAPHY

Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro Baseball League. New York: Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, an imprint of Disney Book Group. ISBN 9780786808328

2.  PLOT SUMMARY

We Are the Ship takes the reader through the history of Negro League Baseball from the perspective of an un-named narrator. Beginning with a forward from baseball legend Hark Aaron, Nelson provides a historical perspective on African Americans in baseball throughout the years until modern day. Nelson provides an Author’s Note explaining his interest and background in baseball as well as the decision to write his book using an anonymous narrator. Also included are a bibliography, filmography, endnotes, and an index for easy searching.

3.      CRITICAL ANALYSIS

“We are the ship; all else the sea” were the words spoken by Rube Foster, the founder of Negro League Baseball and the inspiration behind this survey of African American contributions to the sport. Each chapter is cleverly named after a baseball inning and begins with a quote from someone of importance to Negro League Baseball. Nelson addresses the historical beginnings of the baseball league as well as the racial difficulties faced by the ball players. He focuses much of his attention on the cultural differences between baseball played in the Negro League and the American League, such as different rules, stat keeping, payment and accommodations.

The baseball players highlighted in We Are the Ship were all real people, and Nelson is quick to notate any facts he presents in the text. There are amazing details about what life was like as an African American ball player, including new information about private time between games, because of Nelson’s numerous interviews with former members of the league. As he writes about these real experiences, he uses old-fashioned conversational language, as though he is addressing the reader like a close friend.

He doesn’t spend much time describing skin color, as it is assumed that all players in the league were African American, but a lot of time is spent describing other physical attributes that would be of importance to baseball players: height, strength, speed and skill. Rather than focusing only on African American baseball players in the United States, Nelson dedicates a chapter to the experiences of being African American and playing in Latin America.

The illustrations, also by Nelson, are incredible works of art. Painted with a stunning realism, they make the reader feel as if the figures could come to life at any moment. Each baseball player, ball field, uniform, and game is re-created as accurately and authentically as possible. Skin color, facial features and body type are as varied as the baseball players they represent. The occasional full-page illustration appears throughout the book, such as an image of a stylish Rube Foster and the Chicago American Giants stepping off a train in perfect 1920’s dress.

Overall, this is an excellent survey of baseball from a new perspective. Even non-sports fans will appreciate struggle for equality faced by these amazing ball players, highlighted by the glossy, gorgeous oil paintings. Rich in cultural details and with an enthusiasm for the topic at hand, this is an excellent read.

4. AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPT(S)

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee 2009-2010

Starred review in School Library Journal: “A lost piece of American history comes to life in Kadir Nelson's elegant and eloquent history (Hyperion/Jump at the Sun, 2008) of the Negro Leagues and its gifted baseball players.”

Starred review in Booklist: “The stories and artwork are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers, who were much more than also-rans and deserve a more prominent place on baseball’s history shelves.”

Starred review in Horn Book: “Nelson’s extensive research (including interviews with former players) yields loads of attention-grabbing details: how much money players made; where, when, and how often games took place; who the standout owners, managers, and players were; and so on.”

5. CONNECTIONS

* This book can be used in a discussion on a general discussion of  baseball or a specific discussion of racism in baseball.

*Other books illustrated by Kadir Nelson:

Allen, Debbie. Dancing in the Wings. ISBN 9780142501412

Rappaport, Doreen. Abe’s Honest Words: The Life of Abraham Lincoln. ISBN

1423104080

Shange, Ntozake. Coretta Scott. ISBN 0061253642

Shange, Ntozake. Ellington Was Not a Street. ISBN 9780689828843