Review of Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Elster

In the first volume of this four-book series, Joe Joe is mistaken for a member of a gang of kids that has ransacked a white man s store. Shaken, he takes refuge in a library book about the Negro Baseball League. Inspired by the example of ball player Cool Papa Bell, Joe Joe finds the strength to stand up against false assumptions.

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Just Call Me Joe Joe by Jean Alicia Elster is the first book in a series known as "Joe Joe in the City". In this book, Joe Joe Rawlings is a ten year-old boy who has a strong love of baseball. At the beginning of baseball season, he visits his local library, where his special friend, librarian Mrs. Morgan, gives him a book called The History of the Negro Baseball Leagues.

It's a book about the history of African-Americans in the sport of baseball. The Negro baseball leagues formed in the early 1900s, so that the blacks could play in a game that they loved. In the late 1800s, a few integrated leagues existed. Moses Fleetwood Walker, known as "Fleet", had signed onto a major league team in Toledo, OH, making him the first African American to do so. But the major leagues quickly changed their minds and did not renew the blacks' contracts, thus causing them to have to create their own. Some of the best baseball was played on those teams.

Life on the Negro leagues was not easy. They had little to no money, so supplies like bats were old and beat-up, and buses kept breaking down. But the players took great pride in what they were doing. One talented player, named James "Cool Papa" Bell, started playing in the winters in Cuba and Mexico, where there was no segregation on baseball teams. But in the summers, he always came back to the States to play with his home teams. He may not have always been treated right, but he felt good doing what he loved.

Learning about the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues inspires Joe Joe to take pride in himself. He had gone into Mr. Booth's store to buy paprika for his grandmother, when a gang of other boys came in and trashed the place. Mr. Booth mistakenly assumed Joe Joe was a part of that group, and banished him from the store. Joe Joe is hurt, because he was innocent, and feels unjustly treated. Dad tells him that he needs to go into the store and make it right. Reading about people like "Cool Papa" Bell makes him feel strong enough to do so.

This book is a great one to read when teaching black history. It provides the history of the Negro Baseball Leagues, including lots of facts and real photographs. This is a part of American history and baseball that is often overlooked. It can also be inspirational to children of any race, to teach them to stand up for themselves and to take pride in themselves.

Accompanying illustrations of Joe Joe and his family are quite well-done and provide a visual insight into their lives.

Though this is a picture book, the story is long and mature. It is much more appropriate for the elementary years, than kindergarten and younger. But it is one that I would recommend to elementary teachers and to families to share with their children.



Disclaimer: I did receive a copy of this book for reviewing purposes; however, the opinions expressed within this blog post are my own.

A Glove of Their Own

A Glove of Their Own is a special project that was written by Debbie Moldvan, Keri Conkling, and Lisa Funari-Willever, and illustrated by Lauren Lambiase. It is a nostalgic look at the original American pasttime of baseball.

A group of kids gets together almost every day to play in on old field. Many days that they're out, an elderly man watches from the fence, cheering the kids on as they imagine they are playing at a sold-out stadium. They have old, ratty equipment, no bleachers, no benches, and no scoreboard, just a will and a dream.

One day, the man stops by, hauling bags filled with gently used mitts, bats, chirts, balls, hats, and cleats that were left over from the days when he was a coach and his children were young dreamers playing on that field. He leaves, telling them to remember that the game is more than just a score.

The children agree to treasure these gifts, and vow to one day pass them on to another group of dreamers, just like themselves.

The story alone is touching. It brings about nostalgic memories of when baseball was steroid and drama-free, played by real heroes. It demonstrates the innocence and limitless imagination of young players.

Even more moving are the illustrations. They are so realistic, you feel like you could reach out and grab the old baseball mitt, or tie the old shoes. The characters' faces are familiar, as if they are your own or those of someone you knew once upon a time.

The book has won several awards, including winner of the 2009 Benjamin Franklin Award for Best Children's Books, Finalist Foreward Magazine Book of the Year, and Finalist Eric Hoffer Book Award.

A Glove of Their Own was published by Franklin Mason Press. Unique to this company is that they reserve two pages at the back of each of their books for guest young authors and illustrators. The guests are ages 6-9 years of age. Nonfiction and fiction stories, between 75-200 words, as well as any word-free illustration is welcomed. Winners receive a small financial prize, framed award, and a complimentary book, as well as being published in an upcoming book. Get full rules at their website at www.franklinmasonpress.com.

A portion of each sale of A Glove of Their Own is donated to one of numerous organizations that are dedicated to ensuring children are given a chance to have a glove of their own. These include Good Sports, Sports Gift, and Pitch In For Baseball.

Stay tuned for interviews with the authors and illustrator.

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