We Are The Ship

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nelson, Kadir. 2008. We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Ill. Kadir Nelson. New York: Hyperion. ISBN 978-078680832-8

2. PLOT SUMMARY
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball is a wonderful telling of a historic event in both African American and American history.  Kadir Nelson's text and illustrations provide a historical and emotional journey for the reader through the magic of Negro League Baseball.  This often overlooked league was pivotal in the furthering of Baseball as the nation's pasttime.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball is written in the voice of an unnamed baseball player narrator giving the nonfiction text the element of having a conversation with an old timer of the league.  This narrative style allows the reader to assimilate knowledge in a non threatening environment on a personal level.  The book is divided into innings instead of chapters further pulling in the reader into a mythical game of baseball history. 

Each two page spread contains at least one magnificent oil painting and one full page of text.  Each oil painting depicts Negro League giants who were pivitoal in the development of the game.  Intermittent two page illustrations are placed throughout the work lending power to the work without the interruption of words.  Kadir Nelson's text is magnified by the strength of the illustrations.  Even if the reader does not love the game of baseball, he or she will be able to connect through the power of Nelson's paintings. 


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)
Coretta Scott King Book Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
The Robert F. Sibert Medal

L.A. Times Book Review- "ostensibly, a children's book. But author-illustrator Kadir Nelson's text is so engrossing -- and his oil paintings so evocative -- that the rubric is inadequate. Nelson's soulful work about this long-neglected brand of our national pastime deserves -- nay, demands -- an all-ages audience."

Horn Book starred review-"His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson’s oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives make the players look larger than life"

Library media connection starred review- "One need not be a baseball fan to enjoy this book, because it's more than a sports story. It's a story of real people enduring more than many of us can imagine, playing a game they love."

Kirkus starred review- "Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times."

School Library Journal starred review-"It is an engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages"

Booklist starred review - "And while this large, square book (just a shade smaller than a regulation-size base) succeeds as coffee-table art, it soars as a tribute to the individuals"

5.  CONNECTIONS

http://www.kadirnelson.com/

http://www.wearetheship.com/

www.baseballhallorg



This is a wonderful book to use throughout an American History class. 

Other books written by Kadir Nelson:

Nelson, Kadir. 2005. He's Got the Whole World in his Hands. New York: Dial

.....2011. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. New York: Balzer and Bray

The First Part Last

A. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Johnson, Angela. 2003. The First Part Last. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-1-4424-0343-7
B. PLOT SUMMARY
Bobby is a single father to a beautiful baby girl.  Instead of shooting hoops with his friends he is sitting up at night with a newborn.  His life has changed forever.  How did he get here and where does he go from here?  He wants to do what's right.  But what is that? 

C. CRITICAL ANALYSIS (INCLUDING CULTURAL MARKERS)
Angela Johnson has a gift for giving voice to young African Americans.  Set in the inner city, Bobby and Nia face a choice that many young people will have to face before they are ready.  Do we keep the baby or give her up for adoption?  How do we know?  The reader is transported into Bobby's world of art, school, family, and diapers.  But where is Nia in all of this?  Told in both present tense and through the wonderfully well done use of flashbacks, Johnson manages to tell the story of two young people in love and the life they created. 

Cultural markers used throughout the book provides for a wonderfully authentic experience.  Language choices reflect the education level, age, and location of the characters.  Family dynamics play out in real time with true to life interaction.  There are no false moments where the reader is sure everyone will live happily ever after.  Johnson manages to weave reality, hope, and uncertainty into each page.
D. REVIEW EXCERPTS AND AWARDS

U.S. News and World Report Johnson has carved a niche writing realistically about young people's issues.

SLJ, starred review Brief, poetic, and absolutely riveting.

Publishers Weekly, starred review Readers will only clamor for more.

Booklist, starred review Poetry

 

ALA Michael L. Printz Award,

Abraham Lincoln Book Award Master List (IL),

ALA Best Books For Young Adults

ALA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers

Alabama Author's Award

Booklist Editors' Choice

CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book

Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List (NY)

Coretta Scott King Award (ALA)

Florida Teens Read Master List

Garden State Teen Book Award Nominee (NJ)

Gateway Readers Award Nominee (MO)

Georgia Peach Book Award Master List

Green Mountain Book Award Master List (VT)

Gryphon Award for Children's Literature

Iowa Teen Award Master List

IRA Young Adults' Choices

Rosie Award Nominee (IN)

Sequoyah Young Adult Master List (OK)

South Carolina Book Award Nominee

Volunteer State Book Award Master List (TN)

YARP Award Master List (SD)

---

E. CONNECTIONS

Look for these other books for young adults by Angels Johnson:

Songs of Faith (1998)

Heaven (1998)

The Other Side, The Shorter Poems (1998)

Toning the Sweep (1993)

Gone From Home: Short Takes (2001)

Humming Whispers (1995)

On The Fringe

Running Back to Ludie (2002)

A Cool Moonlight (2003)

Have students explore teen pregnancy statistics at http://www.cdc.gov/TeenPregnancy/AboutTeenPreg.htm

Language Arts Connections:
Everyone has goals.  How would these goals and life dreams change if you suddenly had to care for an infant?

Health Education Connection:
Use in conjunction with your states sex education curriculum.

Art Connection:
Bobby is an artist.  His preferred method is spray paint.  This is commonly called "tagging".  Have students create a "tag" design.

Heart and Soul

1. BIBLIOGRAPHY
Nelson, Kadir. 2011. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans. Ill. Kadir Nelson.
     New York: Balzer & Bray. ISBN 9780061730740

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans is an eloquent rendition of the history of America as it pertains to the history of African Americans from the colonial period through the civil rights movement and up to the election of President Obama.  Kadir Nelson's text and illustrations work together to provide a historical and emotional journey for the reader.

3. CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans is written in the voice of an unnamed female narrator giving the nonfiction text the element of friendly conversation.  This narrative style enables the reader to connect with the information on a personal level.  Each chapter of the book details a major historical time period or event that directly effected both America and the lives of African Americans, enabling the reader to create an understanding that the history of one is directly connected to the history of the other. 

Each two page spread contains one magnificent oil painting and one full page of text.  Each oil painting depicts either an important event or African American.  Intermittent two page illustrations are placed throughout the work lending power to the work without the interruption of words.  Kadir Nelson's text is magnified by the strength of the illustrations. 

Following the author's note is a timeline which begins in 1565 with the arrival of African American as slaves on Spanish ships and continues through January 20, 2009 with the inauguration of President Obama.  The text also contains a one page bibliography and a thorough index of subjects.

4. REVIEW EXCERPT(s)
Coretta Scott King Book Award
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Jane Addams Honors Book
Provocative and powerful - Starred review- School Library Journal
Nelson…adds to his notable titles with this powerful view of African American history - Starred review- Booklist
The dramatic oil paintings heighten the dignity of this story - Starred review- Kirkus
Creates a voice that is at once singular and representative - Starred review - Horn Book

5.  CONNECTIONS

http://www.kadirnelson.com/

Listen to a recording of the author explaining why he wrote the book via http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=7259&a=1

This is a wonderful book to use throughout an American History class.  Use individual chapters that correlate to state standards to enhance textbook reading.

On page 36 of the book is a painting of a freedom quilt.  Have students research freedom quilts.  Then have them create their own out of cloth or construction paper.

Other books about African American history:

Grady, C. 2012. I lay my stitches down: Poems of American Slavery. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books.

Hill, L.C. 2010. Dave the potter: Artist, poet, slave. New York: Little Brown & Co

 

Hopkinson, D. 1993. Sweet Clara and the freedom quilt. New York: Random House.

Levine, E. 2007. Henry’s freedom box: A true story from the Underground Railroad. New York: Scholastic.

Other books written by Kadir Nelson:

Nelson, Kadir. 2005. He's Got the Whole World in his Hands. New York: Dial

.....2008. We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York: Hyperion.