We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

by Kadir Nelson

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship: The story of negro league baseball. New York, NY: Hyperion. 

We are the Ship tells the story of Negro League Baseball starting with the formation of the league by Andrew "Rube" Foster in the early 1900's after the white owners of major league ball teams made a "gentleman's agreement" to do away with black players in the majors.  In this story, Nelson presents the narrator as "we" a collective voice representing all players of the time period. It follows their emotional journey which is full of  humor, but also sadly a lot of heartache as we learn of their struggles with segregation, hate and unfairness in this time long before civil rights. It ends with the signing of Jackie Robinson to the majors and the eventual demise of the league as integration became the standard and these fine athletes were finally allowed to participate in the game that they loved.

Evaluation Criteria: Organization

Just like the game itself, this book is organized by “innings,” where each inning represents a chapter in the story of the progression of Negro League Baseball.  It begins with the formation of the league in the early 1900’s and ends with the decimation of the league once Negros are allowed to sign with major league teams.  Each new chapter labeled as an Inning, begins with a subtitle indicating what information will be covered and a powerful quote from a Negro League legend pertaining to that particular chapter of history.  An extra “inning” is also included listing noteworthy players, as well as a note from the author, bibliography and extensive index.

Interview with Kadir Nelson