The United States v. Jackie Robinson

Before he made baseball history, Jackie Robinson fought segregation in the U.S. Army. Bardhan-Quallen (Brobot Bedtime) focuses on Robinson’s acts of resistance, including his refusal to give up his seat on a military bus, for which he was court martialed: “He was one of the first black Americans to challenge a segregation law in court. And he won.” The story jumps from this victory to Robinson’s post-Army life, as he played baseball with the Negro League Monarchs, minor league Royals, and Brooklyn Dodgers, where he cemented his legacy as the first African-American major leaguer. Raw, sweeping brushstrokes bring a sense of extemporaneous energy to Christie’s gouache paintings. Readers who only associate Robinson with the baseball diamond will recognize how his success depended as much on his perseverance as his batting average. Ages 4–8. Author’s agent: Rachell Orr, Prospect Agency. (Jan.)