This biography about Jackie Robinson is written by his daughter, Sharon Robinson. She retells her fathers story from when he was growing up being taught to have integrity, to become the first black major league baseball player, to being a proactive participant in the Civil Rights Movement. The story focuses on the challenges Jackie Robinson faces and how he chose to over come them. Not only did Jackie Robinson overcome discrimination in major league baseball, but he overcame inequality and harsh treatment from society throughout his entire life. ( )

Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball in 1947 when he began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers. In this photobiography, his daughter writes a personal account of this famous athlete and civil rights activist and the legacy he has left.

Summary:
Jackie Robinson’s daughter wrote this biography to show others what he was truly like both as a father and a baseball player. He was born in a time when slavery was still common, he wasn’t supposed to become a baseball player and he knew it. The end of World War II was a changing point for baseball. Jackie Robinson played baseball for the Negro Leagues’ Kansas City Monarchs! Where Branch Rickey discussed with him to play for the dodgers. Where he then became the famous number 42!

Personal Reaction:
I enjoyed this biography because I learned new facts about Jackie Robinson that I didn’t know before. Me, being a big Kansas City Royal fan I have learned a lot about Jackie Robinson making number 42 being my favorite number! He had an amazing career and changed baseball!

Classroom extension ideas:
1. During a history lesson about segregation I can pull this book out and show them what started to end segregation.
2. I could also use this story in an English lesson to have the children set a goal and tell me how they will achieve that goal!

How Jackie Robinson changed America.