Set in 1942, this book takes a look at race in relation to baseball. And yours is the wrong color.” When Willie hears that he would not be able to play in the Major league because he is African-American, he was very upset. He gives them to Willie so he and Sean could go to a game. And yours is the wrong color." Just a moment while we sign you in to your Goodreads account. I loved that fact that it showed strong friendship between an African American boy and a caucasian boy. Pair it with Carole Boston Weatherford's, It’s 1942 and 10-year-old Willie, a big Cubs fan, looks forward to the day when he’ll be a major leaguer. When he hears men on the corner excitedly talking about players he has never heard of—Satchel Paige, Papa Bell—Willie thinks they can’t be that good if they’re not in the majors; he is told he wouldn’t be able to play either because he is black. However, Willie does not recognize any of the players that his grandfather and grandfather’s friends are talking about. His goal in life is to become a Major League ballplayer, just like the ones he hears about on the radio. Willie Dixon & The Chicago Blues All Stars Great American Music Hall Dec 13, 1973 (Set 2) Willie Dixon Ash Grove Mar 10, 1972 (Set 1) Willie Dixon Jul 6, 1984; Willie Dixon Jul 6, 1984; Willie Dixon Ash Grove Mar 10, 1972 (Set 2) When they listened to radio, he closed his eyes and transported himself to Wrigley field. Willie was there to see it all. During the post-game celebration a player from each time met on the pitcher's mound and shook hands. Reading everyone’s reviews took me on a book vacation to places I might otherwise not have visited. The highlight of the book is when the Negro league all stars face off against the major leaguers at Wrigley field. I feel children's picture books play a role in counteracting all the violence and other negative images conveyed in the media. When a neighbor tells him about baseball's color line, he is crushed, feeling "all closed up inside." A radio and a baseball made of "tape and string" were just the beginning of a dream that would eventually come true. I'd pair this picture book with Kadir Nelson's "We Are The Ship.". It was a dream come true for the boys who loved nothing more than baseball. They were one of the Motown signature acts in the 1960s. Fantastic historical fiction about the boys who dreamed of playing baseball before Jackie Robinson made it possible. Willie is a boy with big dreams. However, one day Willie hears some of the men in his neighborhood talking about baseball players he has never heard of. Ever since Willie Jones III put down roots in New York City back in 1997, he has grown to become one of the jazz capital’s most prominent drummers. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, Children's 1900s American Historical Fiction, Children's Black & African American Story Books, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. A story about a boy who loves baseball and gets to go to an All-star game between the Negro leagues and MLB. The story in this might be a little much for young kids if they haven't talked about African-Americans being separated before this story. Willie is crushed. Mr. Cooper was energized. Sean w. Willie the young African American boy who lived in north Chicago also lived with his grandmother. They feel how Eddie feels, and get a sense of what his life was like. But it's 1942, and Jackie Robinson is years away from breaking the color barrier. Find all the books, read about the author, and more. But it?s 1942, and Jackie Robinson is years away from breaking the color barrier. The kids and I enjoyed both the story as well as the illustrations. All stars. His grandmother always told him to love the game of baseball while he was growing up. This book is a real gem and no doubt will become a classic one day. Information about the book, Willie and the All-Stars (Fiction, Hardcover), by Floyd Cooper (Philomel Books, Sep 18, 2008) African American Literature Book Club Celebrating Our Literary Legacy Since 1997 — Black Literature is for Everyone African American Literature Book Club This live show has one advantage over the studio set: it sounds like Willie Nelson music. Something went wrong. “Ol’ Ezra may know a lot, but he doesn’t know everything.” The story ends when Willie and his friend are handed two tickets to an all-star game between Major Leaguers and Negro Leaguers. It’s also about the color of his skin. Willie dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues. I know the book got a starred review in Kirkus, so maybe I'm missing something! Ol' Ezra tells him stories of great players on the all Negro Baseball League. Renamed Jr. Walker & The All Stars, the band moves to Michigan after lining up an open-ended residency at the El Grotto, a nightclub in Battle Creek. He always "pretended he was playing baseball no matter what he was doing." Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in. Willie is heartbroken. Willie and the All-Stars. I feel as if this situation could be portrayed as a negative stereotype. But baseball is still segregated and Willie, as a neighbor points out, "is the wrong color." Triumphant. by Floyd Cooper. All reviewers. Welcome back. Do check it out though! Walker's side men have kept the party going. He reinforces in the pictures the feelings of warmth and affection that exist between generations. "Illustrating children's books is very important to Mr. Cooper. The story ends on a hopeful note, with a handshake between two opposing players, symbolizing that the victory has brought "a nod of acknowledgment, if not acceptance, from White to Black." His grandmother always told him to love the game of baseball while he was growing up. Four out of five stars. Willie’s best friend Carl, a young Caucasian boy, sat with Willie to comfort him. Thanks again to Susanna Hill for allowing me to … "Floyd Cooper resides in New Jersey with his wife, Velma, and their two sons. The pictures in this book are illustrated well, but my attention wasn't focused on the illustrations, and I believe that the kindergartener's in my classroom will not be that impressed either. They played throughout the Greater Cleveland area, but Andy's on Buckeye Road was the best place to see them. Willie's hopes are rekindled at an exhibition game between the Negro League All-Star team and the Major League All-Stars, when he witnesses Satchel Paige's team win the grudging respect of their white opponents. Sean who was Willies best friend was a caucasian boy who lived close by. Search. Sean was a very good friend and told Willie to still try to pursue his dreams, while the two boys attended a baseball game, they were surprised to see the black team end up being the winners. Floyd Cooper is a seriously talented artist, but his characters sometimes have over-the-top facial expressions. Willie hears his grandpa Ezra telling stories with friends about baseball players. ... Barrence Whitfield & The All Stars. Grandma was a baseball fan and Willie quickly followed in her footsteps. Willie knows the game like the back of his hand, but he's never heard of Josh Gibs. 1961 Topps Baseball Cards Willie Mays MVP and The All Stars | eBay This is a new favorite of mine. Willie was amazed at how talented the Negro Leauge all-stars were. Willie, the main character, is a young African-American boy. copyright © 2000 by Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers. Be the first to ask a question about Willie and the All-Stars. The ending was strange and didn't really work for me. Willie, an African-American boy growing up in Chicago, dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues, like his idols. Buy a cheap copy of Willie and the All-Stars book by Floyd Cooper. who later went on to be a great player in history or something. Willie, an African-American boy growing up in Chicago, dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues, like his idols. It should have revealed it was someone like Willie Mays, etc. September 18th 2008 Write a review. There's a problem loading this menu right now. One day Willie sits with the old men in the neighborhood as they spin tall baseball tales. They have released eight albums, with their self-titled debut being issued in 1994. Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All Stars*, McKinley Mitchell: Willie Dixon's Chicago Blues All Stars*, McKinley Mitchell - That Last Home Run / All Star Bougee (Single) 2 versions : Yambo Records: none: US: 1974: Sell This Version A climactic showdown in Wrigley Field between Negro League and Major League All-Stars gives Willie and readers a chance to see such lights as Satchel Paige and Josh Gibson compete—and win—in an even match. A special moment is watching players from the opposing teams shake hands. This books saving grace is it's illustrations. The race barrier hasn't been broken just yet - but this is still a feel-good story. As dedicated readers already know, some of the best and most innovative stories on the shelves come from the constantly evolving realm of... Willie, an African-American boy growing up in Chicago, dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues, like his idols. Historical and a story to go with the events. Willie was not the right color for the Major Leagues. The story showed true caring friendships, and that you should pursue your dreams even if people tell you you will not be able to accomplish these goals. The Fania All-Stars is a musical group formed in 1968 as a showcase for the musicians on Fania Records, the leading salsa music record label of the time. It reviews history, and takes children back in time. --Ilene Cooper, The gritty, realistic illustrations portray the harshness of the setting, against which the characters' emotions virtually leap off the page. Originally "The Rhythm Rockers," 1965 saw the release of their signature hit "Shotgun". Only one little problem would stop his dreams . Then, excitement! An author's note adds a thumbnail sketch of the Negro Leagues. He later learns it's because the men are on a Negro baseball team. He batted .307, hit three home runs, batted in nine runs, and stole six bases. 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