A complete biography, Stealing Home deals with many issues surrounding Jackie Robinson's life, not just the desegregation of baseball with Branch Rickey and the Dodgers. Starting with his parents' childhoods, it takes us through his childhood, his brother's athletic accomplishments, his military service, his baseball career, and his work, philanthropy, and family life after retirement from baseball. This book doesn't shy away from racial realities, and treats them in a matter-of-fact tone. The full scope of Jackie's life is addressed, however, and kids will get a human look at this harbinger and hero.
I'd recommend this book for readers 3rd-grade and up, to anyone interested in baseball, Black History, American desegregation, or biographies.

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Although this biography of Jackie Robinson is written for 3rd grade+, it was definitely written at a higher level of detail and complexity. The biography does a great job of detailing Robinson's before, during, and after baseball. The author does a great job of showcasing Jackie Robinson's determination and the tribulations he had to overcome/endure to achieve his goals. This book has been a favorite in my 7th-grade classroom. ( )

Jackie Robinson takes on many obstacles including poverty and racism in his journey to become a professional baseball player.

"A life is not important except in the impact it has on other lives." This quote by Jackie Robinson provides a summary of his life. He had to face and overcome so many obstacles in order to stand on the field and play baseball with men who had little knoweldge of what he had been through, just what color his skin was. My favorite part of the book is at the beginning when his early life is being described. He is forced to stay in the sandbox so that his mother can work and his sister can attend school. The teacher is not so crazy about the idea at first, but gives in when Ms. Robinson explains her situation to him. It reminds me that there are often more to situations that we see at first glance.

Honors and Awards: None ( )

It's a story about struggling through hard times but trying to make good times out of the hard times. ( )