Testing the Ice: A True Story about Jackie Robinson
Sharon Robinson's engaging, child-centered reminiscence recalls events after her family moved to Stanford, Connecticut, in 1955. She and her brothers were thrilled to make new friends, and throughout the summer, all of the kids swam in the lake on the property. "But no matter how much we begged, my dad would never come into the water." It was also a thrill to have their friends over to play, and everyone loved when her father, Jackie Robinson, would talk about breaking into major league baseball. After his retirement, Jackie was home more, but he still wouldn't swim in the lake. Then one cold winter day when the kids were eager to skate, he tested the ice for them, despite his inability to swim. "My dad is the bravest man alive." Sharon's sentiment has taken on a deeper significance for her as an adult. "Dad showed the same courage on the ice that day as he did when he broke the color barrier in baseball." Kadir Nelson's paintings enhance the emotional tenor of Robinson's storytelling, whether capturing the gravity of Jackie Robinson's discussion with Branch Rickey about integrating the major leagues or the awe on the faces of the children listening to Jackie tell that story. ©2009 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 6-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Picture book
Subjects:
20th Century
Activism and Resistance
African Americans
Biography
Fathers
Racism
Sports
U.S. History
Diversity subject:
Black/African
Publisher:
Scholastic Press
Publish Year: 2009
Pages: 40
ISBN: 9780545052511
CCBC Location: Non-Fiction, 920 Robinson