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Willie and the All-Stars

Author Floyd Cooper
Illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Ebook
Penguin Young Readers | Philomel Books
On sale Sep 18, 2008 | 32 Pages | 9780698152823
Grades 1-3
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Willie, an African-American boy growing up in Chicago, dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues, like his idols. But it?s 1942, and Jackie Robinson is years away from breaking the color barrier. One day Willie sits with the old men in the neighborhood as they spin tall baseball tales. Willie knows the game like the back of his hand, but he?s never heard of Josh Gibson or Cool Papa Bell. ?That?s because they?re Negro Leaguers,? says Ol? Ezra. ?Being a Major Leaguer is about a lot more than how good a fella is. It?s also about the color of his skin. And yours is the wrong color.? Willie is crushed. Until, that is, Ezra hands him two tickets to an exhibition all-star game between Major Leaguers and Negro Leaguers, and Willie sees firsthand how determination can change everything.

A beautifully illustrated tribute to the power of a boy?s dreams, and the great gift that is hope.

© Jacob Blinkenstaff
FLOYD COOPER always dreamed of becoming an artist, and he has now illustrated dozens of books for children, including Jump! (From the Life of Michael Jordan), Back of the Bus, and Max and the Tag-Along Moon. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his illustrations in Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea and I Have Heard of a Land. He lives in New Jersey with his family. Learn more about his work at floydcooper.com and follow him on Twitter @floydcooper4. View titles by Floyd Cooper

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Willie, an African-American boy growing up in Chicago, dreams of playing baseball in the Major Leagues, like his idols. But it?s 1942, and Jackie Robinson is years away from breaking the color barrier. One day Willie sits with the old men in the neighborhood as they spin tall baseball tales. Willie knows the game like the back of his hand, but he?s never heard of Josh Gibson or Cool Papa Bell. ?That?s because they?re Negro Leaguers,? says Ol? Ezra. ?Being a Major Leaguer is about a lot more than how good a fella is. It?s also about the color of his skin. And yours is the wrong color.? Willie is crushed. Until, that is, Ezra hands him two tickets to an exhibition all-star game between Major Leaguers and Negro Leaguers, and Willie sees firsthand how determination can change everything.

A beautifully illustrated tribute to the power of a boy?s dreams, and the great gift that is hope.

Author

© Jacob Blinkenstaff
FLOYD COOPER always dreamed of becoming an artist, and he has now illustrated dozens of books for children, including Jump! (From the Life of Michael Jordan), Back of the Bus, and Max and the Tag-Along Moon. He received a Coretta Scott King Award for his illustrations in The Blacker the Berry and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his illustrations in Brown Honey in Broomwheat Tea and I Have Heard of a Land. He lives in New Jersey with his family. Learn more about his work at floydcooper.com and follow him on Twitter @floydcooper4. View titles by Floyd Cooper

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