The Negro Leagues (African-American Achievers)

Provides a history of the Negro leagues and the role they played in integrating baseball

Grade 5-8. Spanning the years 1868 to 1960, this title takes a look at blacks in professional baseball in general and at the Negro Leagues in particular. While the material is accurate and the book is attractively designed, the sheer number of players and teams discussed may overwhelm readers. Riley introduces a lot of names, but offers little substantive detail or real insight. Black-and-white photographs are liberally sprinkled throughout the seven chapters. While credits are cited for them, the text itself is not documented. The list for further reading includes predominantly adult titles. While not fatally flawed, this effort is not a first choice. Michael Cooper's Playing America's Game (Dutton, 1993), Robert Gardner and Dennis Shortelle's Forgotten Players (Walker, 1993), and Patricia and Fredrick McKissack's Black Diamond (Scholastic, 1994) all provide similar information in a more reader-friendly format.?Tom S. Hurlburt, La Crosse Public Library, WI
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