Mamie on the Mound: a Woman in Baseballs Negro Leagues

Description

Mamie Peanut Johnson had one dream: to play professional baseball. She was a talented player, but she wasn't welcome in the segregated All-American Girls Pro Baseball League due to the color of her skin. However, a greater opportunity came her way in 1953 when Johnson signed to play ball for the Negro Leagues' Indianapolis Clowns, becoming the first female pitcher to play on a men's professional team. During the three years she pitched for the Clowns, her record was an impressive 33-8. But more importantly, she broke ground for other female athletes and for women everywhere.

Leah Henderson was one of only two girls on a highly competitive all-boys traveling soccer team when she was young, so Mamie's desire to play ball echoed her own. Leah writes for young readers of all ages, and her books include Children's Africana Book Awards notable and Bank Street Best Books of 2017, One Shadow on the Wall. She is a mentor, and avid traveler, and her volunteer work has roots in West Africa. Leah holds an MFA in Writing and is on faculty in Spalding University's MFA program. When she is not traveling or off playing soccer with her dog at midnight, you can find her at home in Washington, D.C. George Doutsiopoulos graduated from the School of Economics of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece in 2005, but he decided to pursue a career in illustration, his true passion. In 2006, he won a prestigious comic competition and received a three-year, full scholarship to AKTO Applied Arts College in Athens, Greece. He has created illustrations for publishing houses like Scholastic and Heinemann, gaming companies, and other companies in the United States, Europe, and Asia. He specializes in illustrations for books, children's books, board games, online games and advertising. In addition, George teaches drawing, sketching and illustration to both children and adults

In this biography of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson...Henderson focuses on Johnson's determination and passion for the sport. . . .Johnson's grit appeals: "She would say, 'Don't emphasize the hardness of it, ' because she and the other players were doing what they wanted to do--playing the game they loved." Smoothly exaggerated realism gives Doutsiopoulos's illustrations an engaging cartoon flair.-- "Publishers Weekly" The colorful, expressive artwork highlights Johnson's joy while also showing the oppressive racism faced by the ball player and her teammates. The afterword explains how Johnson's contributions to the sport have resonated through the years, earning recognition from Presidents Clinton and Obama. Readers who are unfamiliar with Johnson will walk away from Henderson's thoughtfully written picture book biography as fans of this resilient, uber-talented ballplayer. An important purchase for most collections.-- "School Library Journal" Through informative prose and muscular illustrations, Mamie emerges as both small in stature and larger than life. . . .The artwork deftly works with the text to provide a memorable reading experience, Mamie's enthusiasm and determination shining from every page. . . .This compelling story of breaking barriers and perseverance is timely and essential. . . .An incredible tribute to an African American woman who dismantled racial and gender obstacles amid the civil rights movement.-- "Kirkus Reviews"