Nonfiction Monday: She Loved Baseball

Being the last Monday of Women's History Month, I thought it would be appropriate to share a book about a women who made a difference in the world by speaking out for what she believed in.  Such role models are especially important in a world that is growing increasingly conflicted.

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story
by Audrey Vernick, illustrated by Don Tate
HarperCollins, 2010
ISBN: 978-0-06-134920-1
Grade K-5
Reviewed from personal copy.

Effa always loved baseball.  As a young woman, she would go to Yankee Stadium just to see Babe Ruth's mighty swing.  But she never dreamed she would someday own a baseball team.  Or be the first--and only--woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.

From her childhood in Philadelphia to her groundbreaking role as business manager and owner of the Newark Eagles, Effa Manley always fought for what was right. And she always swung for the fences. (Taken from the blurb on the cover of the book).

Despite looking white at a time when it was difficult to be African American, Effa never denied her heritage.  She both stood with and for her race.  When protests were needed, Effa helped make them happen.  When letters were needed, she wrote dozens over many years to get recognition for her players. While this picture book biography is hardly complete (picture book biographies are by nature incomplete) it does give the reader a glimpse of a woman passionate about a sport and its players.  Tate's gorgeous illustrations provide a nice compliment to the crisp, narrative text, perfect for reading aloud.  Recommended.

For a teacher's guide you can visit the author's website.

Other reviews of this book may be located at The Fourth Musketeer,  The Page Turn, which includes an interview with the author,and School Library Journal.

Grand Magazine includes an article about the book and the author. Good reads provides a book trailer. 

Nonfiction Monday is being hosted at Practically Paradise today.