Call Him Jack
The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter
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- $12.99
Publisher Description
Discover the remarkable life of Jackie Robinson, a relentless fighter for Black justice and civil rights, in this enthralling biography that goes beyond baseball.
According to Martin Luther King, Jr., Jackie Robinson was "a sit-inner before the sit-ins, a freedom rider before the Freedom Rides." Hank Aaron declared Robinson a leader of the Black Power movement before there was a Black Power movement. To his wife, Rachel Robinson, he was always Jack, not Jackie—a diminutive bestowed by white sports writers. Throughout his life, Jack Robinson fought tirelessly for justice, equality, and civil rights, becoming an inspiration far beyond the baseball diamond.
In Call Him Jack, prominent Robinson scholars Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long deliver an exciting biography that reclaims the real person behind the legend. Reanimating Robinson's legacy for new generations, this book widens the focus from the sportsman to the man as a whole, deepening our appreciation for his achievements on the playing field and his lasting impact on the ongoing struggle for racial justice and social change.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
In this eye-opening biography, Williams (The Black Panthers, for adults) and Long (Three Lines in a Circle) detail the varied personal history of Jack Roosevelt Robinson (1919–1972), best known for being the first Black MLB player. In a beginning note, the authors contextualize quotations containing racist slurs: "We think it's important for readers to know—and feel—the words that white people used when trying to hurt Jack and other Black Americans." The book discusses how, throughout his life, Robinson felt as if he needed to be an "acceptable guest" to succeed in the athletic world. But beyond his sports persona, Robinson considered himself a "relentless and uncompromising Black freedom fighter," outspoken in his beliefs. Without minimizing Robinson's historic athletic prowess, the creators provide a potent look into his civil rights achievements by highlighting key moments from his life, including marching for integrated schools and raising money for burned churches in Birmingham. This well-researched volume—which includes b&w photographs throughout, accompanied by brief sidebars explaining key historical events—skillfully highlights one prominent Black figure's impact on America's history both on and off the ball field. Additional information concludes. Ages 10–14.
