Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige vs. Rookie Joe DiMaggio

Paige, a black baseball player who was a renowned pitcher well before the days of Jackie Robinson, wasn’t permitted to play in the major leagues. But his reputation was such that when the Yankees wanted to test the mettle of a rookie named Joe DiMaggio, they arranged for him to play against the Satchel Paige All-Stars. Cooper’s grainy illustrations look as though they are filtered through sunlight, striking a nostalgic chord, while Skead’s play-by-play (“This was DiMaggio’s last chance to pass the test. His heart raced as he looked for Satchel’s release point and the ball coming like a bullet on fire”) provides a riveting, baseball story about two players seeking recognition of their worth. Ages 7–11. (Apr.)