Project Description
Dad, Jackie, and Me
by Myron Uhlberg
illustrated by Colin Bootman
“It was Opening Day, 1947. And every kid in Brooklyn knew this was our year. The Dodgers were going to go all the way!”
It is the summer of 1947 and a highly charged baseball season is underway in New York. Jackie Robinson is the new first baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers―and the first black player in Major League Baseball. A young boy listens eagerly to the Dodgers games on the radio, each day using sign language to tell his deaf father about the games. His father begins to keep a scrapbook, clipping photos and articles about Jackie. Finally one day the father delivers some big news: they are going to Ebbets Field to watch Jackie play!
Author Myron Uhlberg offers a nostalgic look back at 1947, and pays tribute to Jackie Robinson, the legendary athlete and hero. Illustrator Colin Bootman’s realistic, full-color illustrations capture the details of the period and the excitement of an entire city as Robinson and the Dodgers won the long-awaited pennant, and brought an entire New York community together for one magical summer.
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-329-0
Publication Date: 4/1/2007
Page Count: 32
Size: 9-1/2″ x 11″
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
Price: $8.95
ISBN: 978-1-56145-531-7
Publication Date: 2/1/2010
Page Count: 32
Size: 9-1/2″ x 11″
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
ISBN: 978-1-56145-604-8
Age Range: 4 – 8
Language: English
Purchase this eBook through the following vendors:
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eBooks.com
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F&P: GRL Q, Gr 4, Genre HF
Lexile: 610L
Themes: Baseball, Deafness, Jackie Robinson, Parents, Prejudice
BISAC 1: JUV032010 JUVENILE FICTION / Sports & Recreation / Baseball
BISAC 2: JUV011010 JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / United States / African-American
BISAC 3: JUV016150 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / United States / 20th Century
Reviews
“An affecting tribute to Robinson, to a dedicated son and to a thoughtful, deep-feeling father. And, of course, to baseball.” ―Publishers Weekly
“Genuinely affecting… Bootman’s realistic, wonderfully expressive watercolor paintings capture the fashions and flavor of 1940’s New York in muted brows and greens. The endpapers, an actual scrapbook of old newspaper articles about Robinson, provide a satisfying context for this ultimately upbeat, multi-dimensional story.” ―Kirkus Reviews
“Bootman’s lovely watercolor paintings add detail and wistful nostalgia… [readers] will appreciate the story’s insightful treatment of deafness as viewed through the eyes of a child.” ―School Library Journal
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“It takes the young Uhlberg, narrator of the story, a while to overcome his embarrassment at his father’s attempts to cheer for Robinson…but eventually Dad’s devotion wins the day in a moving finale. Colin Bootman, who earned a Coretta Scott Honor Award for Almost to Freedom (2003), uses evocative watercolors rich in soft browns and lush greens to capture both the feel of the 1940s (fedora-wearing fans) and the electricity of Robinson’s play.” ―Booklist
“[Bootman’s] rich watercolors evoke the deep shadows of summer afternoons at the ballpark and the easy camaraderie between father and son.” ―The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“The illustrations capture the action of the game as well as depicting the time period of the story. A study of the illustrations make you feel like you are involved in the story itself.” ―ACS Reader’s Haven
“In this story, Uhlberg creates a touching story based on his own boyhood experiences while attending baseball games with his deaf father. He crafts a beautifully written story about the hearing impaired and about Robinson’s determination and tolerance.” ―Pennsylvania Reads
“A moving and uplifting story commemorated in realistic watercolors and winner of The Teacher’s Choice Award and the Schneider Family Book Award. Wonderful!” ―Picture Book Reviews
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Awards
Schneider Family Book Award ―American Library Association, 2006
Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts ―National Council of Teachers of English, 2006
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People ―National Council for the Social Studies, Children’s Book Council, 2006
Teachers’ Choices (Primary) ―International Reading Association, 2006
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Outstanding Books for Young People with Disabilities ―IBBY Documentation Centre of Books for Disabled Young People, 2007
Storytelling World Resource Awards (Stories for Pre-Adolescent Listeners) ―Storytelling World Magazine, 2006
Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Awards (Reading List) ―Arkansas Department of Education, 2007-2008
Comstock Book Award ―Minnesota State University Moorhead, 2006
Land of Enchantment Book Awards (Master List) ―New Mexico Library Association, New Mexico Council of IRA, 2007-2008
Virginia Readers’ Choice (Elementary List) ―Virginia State Reading Association, 2009-2010
California Young Reader Medal (Nominee, Picture Book) ―CRA, CLA, CATE, CSLA, 2007-2008
Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Florida Reading Association, 2006-2007
Young Hoosier Book Award (Nominee, Picture Book) ―Association for Indiana Media Educators, 2008-2009
Black-Eyed Susan Book Award (Nominee) ―Maryland Educational Media Association, 2007-2008
Bill Martin, Jr. Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―Kansas Reading Association, 2006-2007
Charlotte Award (Nominee) ―New York State Reading Association, 2008
KC3 Reading Program (Nominee) ―Greater Kansas City Association of School Librarians, 2007-2008
Show Me Readers Award (Nominee) ―Missouri Association of School Librarians, 2007
North Carolina Children’s Book Award (Nominee, Picture Book) ―North Carolina Reading Association, 2007
Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards (Nominee, Grades 3-6) ―Pennsylvania School Librarians Association, 2008-2009
SCBA Book Awards (Nominee, Children’s Books) ―Southern California Booksellers Association, 2005
Children’s Crown Award (Honor Book) ―National Christian School Association, 2007-2008
Best Read Aloud Picture Books ―Curriculum Materials Center at Minnesota State University Moorhead
Living the Dream Children’s Book Award (Nominee) ―Manhattan Country School, 2006-2007
Macy’s Multicultural Collection of Children’s Literature ―Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), 2008
Outstanding Book Award (Honorable Mention) ―The Gustavus Myers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rightsk, 2005
Paterson Prize for Books for Young People (Special Recognition) ―The Poetry Center at Passiac County Community College), 2006
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Meet the Author
Myron Uhlberg is the author of several picture books. A retired businessman, he lives in California. You can visit his website here.
Meet the Illustrator
Colin Bootman was born in Trinidad but moved to the United States at the age of seven. A graduate of the School of Visual Arts in New York, he has illustrated numerous books for children, including Almost to Freedom, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book. He lives in New York.
