Play Ball, Jackie! is a book telling the tale of Jackie Robinson's season opener game with Dodgers, from the perspective of a young man, Matty, who attended that game. This perspective helps set the tone of the time, Matty's father having to explain why Jackie Robinson playing in major league baseball was controversial for some fans of the Dodgers. In fact, the reason Matty and his father were able to attend the game in the first place was that a coworker of Matty's father gave away the tickets for free because he was "disgusted." While I appreciated the fact that the white, Italian protagonist stood up to other kids for saying Jackie Robinson deserved to play and played the role of an ally, I was not impressed that a lot of the focus was how commendable Matty was for standing up and believing what was right. Jackie Robinson broke barriers and paved the way for many African Americans after him. I would like it if he were the main hero of the story. I do appreciate what the story was saying and it does focus mostly on facts about Robinson, I just would have preferred the story had it emphasized what a hero he was.
I can see this book being used to talk about Jackie Robinson, perhaps having a teacher emphasize the heroic role Robinson played. ( )

This children’s picture book is a historical fiction recount of Jackie Robinson’s first game in the MLB. Jackie Robinson was one of the first African Americans to be allowed to play in the MLB. The main character, Matty, attends the game with his father and believes that the color of the players skin should not decide whether they can play in the MLB. Their skill level is what should be the deciding factor. Jackie Robinson was good enough to play in the MLB and Matty was happy he was on his favorite team. This story recounted what African Americans went through just to get the rights that white people received. Jackie Robinson is now famous for his accomplishments in baseball as well as the Civil Rights Movements. The main message of the story conveyed is our skin color does not define us. If someone has the ability to do something, they should have the same opportunities as everyone else. This recounted story was conveyed through key details in the pictures and text. The pictures conveyed the emotions felt toward Jackie and the negativity that surrounded him during his first game. The key details were also displayed through the text and Matty’s reaction to other characters negative feelings. ( )

Summary: Play Ball, Jackie! By Stephen Krensky is a Multicultural book about The Dodgers' new first baseman, Jackie Robinson. he goes through the color barrier and holds an enormous amount of pressure on his shoulders.
Personal Reaction: I loved this books, it discussed the color barrier and how Jackie won the game!
Classroom Extension ideas:
Play baseball
Draw the moment that meant the most to the students
ask questions

Summary: This book is about Jackie Robinson, The first African American that plays for the Dodgers in 1947. The stands aren't so happy about it, but that doesn't stop him and his dad from having a great time at the game.

My reaction: Great read. I love this history of this book. I also love sports, so to combine history and sports is a great thing.

school:1.) A good book to read during Black History Month.
2.) Students can discuss sports, and other black historians that first play in sports.

The message of this story is to stand up for your beliefs even if others disagree with you. The point of view in this book made this an interesting story to follow. The book is told from the perspective of a young boy named Matty who sees Jackie Robinson play at the Dodger’s opening game. He is confused why so many people hate Jackie and comes to the decision that he likes the African American player because he is a good athlete. Reading the book from a white fan’s viewpoint gives the reader insight into what it was like to be at a baseball game when African Americans were discriminated against. Most of the books about Jackie Robinson are biographies and do not describe how the fans felt seeing a black man play a white man’s sport. I also liked that the main character was strong in his beliefs and did not follow the prejudices of the majority. He even made friends with a young African American boy and wore a pin for Jackie Robinson. His standing up against the status quo made this story and its message more impactful to the reader. ( )