| Portion of title |
Roberto Clemente goes to bat for Latinos |
| Abstract |
Young Roberto loved baseball so much that he played with a tree branch and tin cans in Carolina, Puerto Rico, practicing until he was chosen to play for a Major League team -- in chilly Montreal! Although he showed his talent as part of the Pittsburgh Pirates, he still faced discrimination from people who wouldn't accept a Black man who demanded to be called Roberto instead of Bob in the middle of the nuclear-family 1950s. Even after becoming an All-Star and winning a World Series, he had to remain segregated in Black hotels during spring training in Florida, but he never stopped speaking Spanish and demanding recognition. |
| Abstract |
"Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn't have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field--hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke espąol. This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente's career as he fought racism--from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport--to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente's contributions to Black, Latino, and American history." -- Provided by publisher. |
| General note | Contains historical backmatter including photographs, timeline, glossary and translation of Spanish phrases included in the text. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Interest age level |
Ages 7-10 |
| Interest grade level |
Grades 1-4 |
| Audience |
820 Lexile |
| Language | Text in English with scattered Spanish vocabulary and quotations. |
| Awards note | Robert F. Silbert Informational Honor Book, 2025 |
| Awards note | American Library Association Notable Children's Books, 2025 |
| Awards note | Horn Book Fanfare List, 2025 |
| Awards note | Bulletin Blue Ribbons Awards. Nonfiction, 2024 |
| Awards note | Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature (CSMCL) Best Books, 2024 |
| Awards note | Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor, 2025 |
| Genre/form | History. |
| Genre/form | Biographies. |
| Genre/form | Picture books. |
| Genre/form | Juvenile works. |
| Genre/form | Picture books. |
| Genre/form | Biographies. |
| Genre/form | Biographies. |
| Genre/form | Dust jackets (Bindings) 2024. |
| LCCN | 2023914428 |
| ISBN | 9781635928112 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 1635928117 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | (ebook) |
| Stock number | Penguin Distribution Childrens, Attn: Order Processing 405 Murray Hill Pkwy, East Rutherford, NJ, USA, 07073-2136 SAN 201-3975 |
