About this item
Based on the true story of a boy in Brooklyn who became neighbors and friends with his hero, Jackie Robinson. Steven Satlow is an eight-year-old boy living in Brooklyn, New York, which means he only cares about one thing-the Dodgers. Steve and his father spend hours reading the sports pages and listening to games on the radio. Aside from an occasional run-in with his teacher, life is pretty simple for Steve. But then Steve hears a rumor that an African American family is moving to his all-Jewish neighborhood. It's 1948 and some of his neighbors are against it. His hero, Jackie Robinson, broke the color barrier in baseball the year before. Then it happens--Steve's new neighbor is none other than Jackie Robinson! Steve is beyond excited about living two doors down from the Robinson family. He can't wait to meet Jackie. This is going to be the best baseball season yet! How many kids ever get to become friends with their hero?
About the Author
After a twenty-year career as a nurse midwife, Sharon Robinson shifted her focus to become an author and educational consultant for Major League Baseball (MLB) . She has written five books about her father, including Jackie Robinson: American Hero (Scholastic, 2013) Jackie's Gift: A true Story of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Jackie Robinson with illustrator E.B. Lewis (Viking, 2010) , Testing the Ice: A true story of Jackie Robinson with illustrator, Kadir Nelson (Scholastic, 2009) . She has also written two middle-grade novels. Her next book, Under the Same Sun (Scholastic, 2014) , features her mother and will be in bookstores January 2014. In her work with MLB, Ms Robinson directs the national character education program: Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life. The program provides kids with stategies to deal with obstacles in their life. It culminates in a national essay contest with great prizes including laptop computers, school visits from Sharon, and a trip to MLB's All-Star Game! Now in it's 18th year, Breaking Barriers has reached over 22 million children. Sharon Robinson lives in Sarasota, Florida. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonrobinsonink.com.
