NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL BIBLIOGRAPHY 
CHILDREN THROUGH YOUNG ADULT WITH GRADE LEVEL

Adler, David A. Jackie Robinson: he was the first. : Holiday House, 1989. 
ISBN 0-823-40734-9 
Summary: Traces the life of the talented and determined athlete who broke the color barrier in major league baseball in 1947 by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers. 
RL K-2 

Adler, David A. A picture book of Jackie Robinson. (Picture Book Biographies) : Holiday House, 1994. ISBN 0-823-41122-2 
Summary: When Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, there were no other African Americans playing in the major leagues. The thoughtful, brief portrait illuminates the courage and character of an American hero. 
RL K-2 

Babe Ruth-Jackie Robinson. (Pendulum Illustrated Biography Series/Workbook) Out of Print 

Bergman, Irwin B. Jackie Robinson. (Junior World Biographies) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1994. ISBN 0-791-01771-0 
RL 5-8 

Brandt, Keith. Jackie Robinson: a life of courage. : Troll Assoc., 1992. 
Summary: A biography of the first black baseball player to be accepted by a major league team. 
RL 5-8 

Brashler, William. The story of Negro league baseball. New York: Ticknor & Fields, 1994. ISBN 0-395-67169-8 
Summary: Shows that although major league baseball was closed to blacks and Latinos from 1890 to 1947 they formed their own teams and leagues. This is the story of those teams and the men who played on them. 
RL 6+ 

Cohen, Barbara. Thank you, Jackie Robinson. : Beech Tree Books, 1997. 
ISBN 0-688-15293-7 
Summary: After Sam’s father died, he became so wrapped up in the Brooklyn Dodgers that he could describe every game they’d played in the past four years. Nobody was very interested, until Sam met Davy. They came from different races, religions, and generations. But it didn’t take long before they had a friendship that went well beyond baseball. 
RL YA 

Collins, Ace and Hillman, John. Baseball superstars: legendary players of the Negro Baseball Leagues. (Young Adult Series) : Avisson Pr. Inc., 1999. ISBN 1-888-10538-0 

Coombs, Karen Mueller. Jackie Robinson: baseball’s civil rights legend. (African-American Biographies) : Enslow Publ., Inc., 1997. 
ISBN 0-894-90690-9 
Summary: An illustrated history of Jackie Robinson’s life. 
RL YA 

Cooper, Michael L. Playing America’s game: the story of Negro league baseball. New York: Lodestar/Dutton, 1993. ISBN 0-525-67407-1 Out of print 
Summary: A photo essay presents the history of the Negro Baseball League, a separate version of baseball played in the first half of the twentieth century by those prevented because of their race from playing in the major leagues.
RL 6.5 

Curtis, Gavin. The bat boy and his violin. New York: Simon & Schuster, 1998. ISBN 0-689-80099-1 
Summary: There’s nothing Reginald loves more than the music from his violin. But his father, manager of one of the worst baseball teams in the Negro Leagues, needs a bat boy, not a “fiddler”. Needing a place to practice, Reginald fills the dugout with music in his spare moments – and inspires a rally by the team that culminates in a showdown with the best team in the league. 
RL K-3 

Davidson, Margaret. The story of Jackie Robinson: bravest man in baseball. (Famous Lives) Milwaukee, Wis.: Gareth Stevens, 1996. 
ISBN 0-836-81470-3 
Summary: Examines the life of the talented black athlete who broke the color barrier in major league baseball by joining the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. 
RL 5-8 

Deneberg, Barry. Stealing home: the story of Jackie Robinson. New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 1997. ISBN 0-590-42560-0 
Summary: The story of young Jackie Robinson describes his heroic fight against racism and chronicles his history-making efforts to become the first African-American baseball player to play in the white major leagues. 
RL 5-8 

Diamond, Arthur. The importance of Jackie Robinson. : Lucent Books, 1992. ISBN 1-560-06029-8 
Summary: Examines the life of the first black man to play in major league baseball. 
RL 

Dingle, Derek T. First in the field: baseball hero Jackie Robinson. : Disney Press, 1998. ISBN 0-786-80348-7 
Summary: As an African-American, Jackie Robinson had to fight for his rights again and again until he broke the Major League’s color line. “First in the Field” explores the early years of this baseball legend, as he paved the way for other African Americans in professional sports, and made a place for himself in American history. 
RL K-2 

Dunn, Herb. Jackie Robinson: young sports trailblazer. (Childhood of Famous Americans Series) New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1999. 
ISBN 0-689-82453-X 
Summary: A story of Jackie Robinson’s life and accomplishments. 
RL 5-8 

Farrell, Edward. Young Jackie Robinson: baseball hero ( First-Start Biographies) : Troll Assn., 1992. 
Summary: A biography of the first black player in modern American major league baseball, emphasizing the prejudice he had to overcome by sheer courage. 
RL 5-8 

Gardner, Robert and Shortelle, Dennis. The forgotten players: the story of black baseball in America. : Walker & Co., 1993. 
ISBN 0-802-78248-5 
Summary: Traces the history of the Negro leagues that evolved due to segregation in professional baseball and the experiences of black players from the late nineteenth through the early twentieth century. 

Gilbert, Thomas. Baseball at war: World War II and the fall of the color line. New York: Frank Watts, 1997. ISBN 0-531-11330-2 
Summary: Discusses the highlights in the game of professional baseball during the 1940s, including Joe DiMagio’s hitting streak, the series between the Yankees and the Dodgers, and effects of World War II on the game, and the career of Jackie Robinson. 
RL YA 

Gilbert, Thomas W. The soaring twenties: Babe Ruth and the home-run decade. New York: Franklin Watts, 1996. ISBN 0-531-11279-9 
Summary: Discusses the changes in professional major league baseball during the 1920’s, including the pennant race scandal in 1920, the founding of the Negro leagues, Babe Ruth’s career, the farm system, and more. 
RL YA 

Golenbock, Peter. Teammates. San Diego: Harcourt Brace, 1990. ISBN 0-8172-4092-6 
Summary: Describes the racial prejudice experienced by Jackie Robinson when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers to become the first African-American player in Major League baseball and depicts the acceptance and support he received from his white teammate Pee Wee Reese. 
RL 4.8 

*Grabowski, John F. Jackie Robinson. (Baseball Legends) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1990. ISBN 0-791-01188-7 

Summary: A biography of the black athlete who broke the color barrier in major league baseball when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. 
RL 5-8 

Greene, Carol. Jackie Robinson: baseball’s first black major leaguer (Rookie Bibliographies) : Children’s Press, 1990. 
ISBN 0-516-44211-2 
Summary: Relates the life story of the first black man to play baseball in the major leagues. 
RL K-2 

Gutman, Dan. Jackie and me : a baseball card adventure. (An Avon Camelot Book) : Camelot, 1999. ISBN 0-380-97685-4 
Summary: Joe Stoshack, who can travel back in time through baseball cards, decides to study Jackie Robinson for Black History Month. Traveling back to 1947, Joe meets Jackie Robinson and observes the racism the Brooklyn Dodger encounters as the first African-American major leaguer. 
RL 5-8 

Haynes, Henry L. Hey, Jackie Robinson we love you. : Winston-Derek Pub., 1997. ISBN 1-552-23857-2 
Summary: 
RL YA 

*Holway, John B. Josh Gibson. (Black Americans of Achievement) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1995. ISBN 0-791-01901-2 
Summary: A portrait of Josh Gibson, the premier slugger of the Negro leagues from 1930 to 1946, describes his significant achievements that earned him a place in the Hall of Fame and the discrimination practices that prevented him from entering the major leagues. Includes an introduction by Coretta Scott King. 
RL 5-8 

Humphrey, Kathryn Long. Satchel Paige. (Impact Biographies Series) New York: Watts, 1988. ISBN 0-531-10531-X Out of Print 
Summary: Surveys the life and career of the Negro League’s pitching phenomenon, the first baseball player in the Negro Leagues to be inducted in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. 
RL 7.8 

Jacobs, William Jay. They shaped the game: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Jackie Robinson. : Atheneum, 1995. ISBN 0-684-19734-0 
Summary: A fascinating look at the immortal boys of summer from baseball’s golden era. Chock full of baseball anecdotes and personal accounts, this book features the men who helped make baseball America’s favorite pastime. 
RL 5-8 

Lord, Bette Bao. In the year of the boar and Jackie Robinson. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books, 1987. ISBN 0-060-24004-0 
Summary: In 1947, a Chinese child comes to Brooklyn where she becomes Americanized at school, in her apartment building, and by her love for baseball. 
RL 5-8 

Macht, Norman L. Satchel Paige. (Baseball Legends) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1991. 
ISBN 0-791-01219-0 
Summary: Surveys the life of the first baseball player in the Negro Leagues to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. 
RL 5-8 

McKissick, Pat, McKissick, Patricia, and McKissick, Fredrick L. Black Diamond: the Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Scholastic Trade, 1998. ISBN 0-590-68213-X 
Summary: Describes the formation of the Negro Baseball leagues and follows the careers of such legendary heroes as Cool Papa Bell and Satchel Paige, noting their contributions to segregated baseball history. 
RL 5-8 

McKissack, Pat. Satchel Paige: the best arm in baseball. Hillside, N.J.: Enslow Publ., 1992. ISBN 0-89490-317-9 
Summary: Describes the life of one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, who was unable to play Major League baseball due to segregation for many years, after which he became the first black pitcher in the American League. 
RL 3.7 

Margolies, Jacob. Negro Leagues: the story of black baseball. : Franklin Watts, 1994. ISBN 0-531-15694-X 
Summary: Illustrated with prints and photos, this book documents the history of Negro League baseball teams which flourished in the early 20th century in spite of discrimination. Profiles some of the leading figures, outstanding players, and their accomplishments. 
RL YA 

O’Connor, Jim and Butcher, Jim. Jackie Robinson and the story of all-black baseball. (A step 4 book – grades 2-4) New York: Random House, 1989. 
ISBN 0-394-82456-3 
Summary: Over 40 years ago Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major-league baseball. Here’s a dramatic re-cap of that event as well as a fascinating look at the little-known days of the Negro leagues – the barnstorming, the great teams, and the legendary players. 
RL K-3 

Cline-Robinson, Lesa. Satchel Paige. New York: Simon & Schuster, 2000. 
ISBN 0-689-81151-9 
RL 5-8 

*Riley, James A. The Negro Leagues. (Afro-American Achievers) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1996. ISBN 0-791-02592-6 
Summary: Tracing the history of black baseball leagues of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s that showcased such legendary talents as Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Cool Papa Bell, and Buck Leonard. 
RL 5-8 

*Ritter, Lawrence S. Leagues apart: the men and times of the Negro Baseball Leagues. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1995. ISBN 0-688-13317-7 
Summary: Tells the story of the Negro leagues when Andrew “Rube” Foster, the Father of Black Baseball, organized the first Negro League in 1920, to when talented players like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and James “Cool Papa” Bell were finally able to show their stuff. 
RL 2-4 

Rudeen, Kenneth. Jackie Robinson. (Trophy Chapter Book) New York: HarperTrophy, 1996. ISBN 0-0064-42042-6 
Summary: A portrait of the first African-American player to break the color barrier in major league baseball describes his courageous struggle to play ball despite threats and insults. 
RL 5-8 

Rubin, Robert. Satchel Paige: all-time baseball great. New York: Putnam, 1974. ISBN 0-399-20386-9 Out of Print 
Summary: A biography of the black pitcher who might have been the greatest pitcher of major league history had his color not barred him from the majors until the last eight years of his career. 
RL 5-8 

Rennert, Richard Scott, Zennert, Richard, and Huggins, Nathan I. Henry Aaron. (Black Americans of Achievement) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1994. ISBN 0-791-01888-1 
Summary: The story of the man who, in 1953, became one of the first to hurdle baseball’s color barrier and reveals how Hank Aaron went on to become baseball’s all-time home-run leader and its top black executive. 
RL 5-8 

Sanford, William R. Jackie Robinson. (Sports Immortals) : Crestwood House, 1992. ISBN 0-896-86743-9 
Summary: A look at the life of the first Afro-American to play major league baseball, a talented athlete also known as a fighter for equal rights. 
RL 5-8 

Santella, Andrew. Jackie Robinson breaks the color line. (Cornerstones of Freedom) : Children’s Press, 1996. ISBN 0-516-26031-6 
Summary: A concise account of Jackie Robinson’s outstanding, self-sacrificing leadership in breaking down the barriers of segregation on and off the baseball diamond during the middle of the twentieth century. 
RL 5-8 

Scott, Richard and Huggins, Nathan I. Jackie Robinson. (Black Americans of Achievement) New York: Chelsea House Pub., 1987. 
ISBN 1-555-46609-5 
Summary: 
RL 5-8 

Scott, Richard. Jackie Robinson. (Black American Series) : All American Distributors Corp., 1990. ISBN 0-870-67555-9 
Summary: 
RL 

*Shirley, David. Satchel Paige. (Black Americans of Achievement) New York: Chelsea House Publ., 1993. 
ISBN 0-7910-1880-6 
Summary: Describes the life and times of the Hall of Fame pitcher who gained wide-spread recognition in the Negro Leagues before becoming the first black pitcher in the American League. Introductory essay by Coretta Scott King. 
RL 5-8 

Stole, Alfred. Finding Buck Henry. New York: HarperCollins, 1993. 
ISBN 0-064-40469-2 
Summary: Eleven-year-old Jason, believing the school custodian Mack Henry to be Buck Henry, a famous pitcher from the old Negro League, tries to enlist him as a coach for his Little League team by revealing his identity to the world. 
RL 3-6 

Steele, Michael Anthony and Capeci, Anne. Forgotten heroes. (Wishbone Mysteries, no. 12) : Lyrick Studios, 1998. ISBN 1-570-64288-5 
Summary: After finding an old baseball card from 1935, Joe Talbot and his canine sidekick Wishbone are faced with a mystery. Unless they find out the truth, a whole year of their town’s history will vanish, and some of the best baseball players will be forgotten. 
RL 5-8 

Stolz, Mary. Coco Grimes. New York: HarperTrophy, 1996. 
ISBN 0-064-40512-5 Out of Print 
Summary: Thomas and his Grandfather from the popular Stealing home return in a new adventure that finds Thomas entreating Grandfather to take him to Miami to meet Coco Grimes, a legendary Negro League ballplayer who knows one of Grandfather’s friends. 
RL 3-5 

Weber, Bruce. Jackie Robinson. (Classic Sports Shots, Collector’s Book, 4) 
New York: Scholastic Paperbacks, 1993. ISBN 0-590-47021-3 
Summary: A look at the career of the first African-American player on a major league team, discussing Robinson’s 1949 .342 batting average, his thirty-seven stolen bases, his 124 RBIs, and his awesome base running. 
RL YA 

Winter, Jonah. Fair ball: 14 great stars from baseball’s Negro Leagues. New York: Scholastic Trade, 1999. ISBN 0-590-39464-9 
Summary: Featuring portraits based on old photos imbued with the player’s personality and energy, this book helps young readers learn about “Pop” Lloyd and Buck Leonard and 12 other African-American baseball players in the Negro Leagues. 
K-3 

Woodsworth, Deborah. Determination: the story of Jackie Robinson : value Biographies. : Childs World, 1998. ISBN 1-567-66226-9 
Summary: A mini-biography which is part of a series intended to teach values. Includes Study Guide. 
RL 

*Available through the Negro League Baseball Museum Store Library