Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

by Bill Wise, Bill Farnsworth (Illustrator)

A biography of Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis, who pursued his childhood love of baseball and eventually joined the Major Leagues, where he faced racism and discrimination with humility and courage as the first Native American to play professional baseball.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Picture Books, Childrens, Nonfiction, Native American, Indigenous

Hardcover

First published June 29, 2005

Reviews

[Casey Strauss · Rating 3 out of 5]

Imagine it is June 16, 1897, and thousands of baseball fans have packed into the bleachers in New York to watch a history making game between the New York Giants and the Cleveland Spiders. Up to the plate steps a rookie baseball player, Louis Sockalexis; he is the one everyone has come to see. On this night he is making history by being the first Native American to play major league baseball. Bill Wise chronicles Louis’ road to the Major Leagues. The story opens with his history making game, but then backtracks to tell his journey of how he made it there. Louis spent his youth dreaming of playing baseball, even when others taunted him for his seemingly impossible goal of someday playing baseball professionally. He overcame poverty, prejudice, and verbal abuse in order to reach his dream. The story takes the reader through Louis’ life up to that moment in June, with a short afterword by the author at the back of the book.

This is a very informative biography, which would be well suited for upper elementary to middle school students. Bill Farnsworth’s oil paint illustrations help to set the tone of the story and have a nostalgic feel to them. Many discussions could come from reading this book with students; particularly how Sockalexis was treated when he played, and how he didn’t let the derogatory words shouted at him deter him from reaching his goal of playing professionally. Students will be challenged to discuss the prejudice and racism that was present during this time in history. There are many books that have been written about the Negro baseball leagues, Louis Sockalexis’ story is less well known and one that deserves to be told. This book could be paired with another book about the Negro baseball league, like We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball, because many of the themes are the same, perseverance, tolerance, and acceptance.

[Charlotte S · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ever since Louis was a kid, he loved baseball. He dreamed of joining one of the major league teams one day, but that seemed impossible because he was native American in a "white man's sport." Join him as he faces racism and proves himself and his skills to the major leagues.

I loved this book! I really enjoyed learning about Louis through the wonderful writing.

Can we talk about the illustrations for a minute?! The oil paintings are absolutely gorgeous! I love them so much!

Thank you for reading my review! Follow @bronteandwilder on Instagram for fun book recommendations!

[Tam Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

F&P Book Club. 50 years before Jackie Robinson, a Native American named Louis Sockalexis changed baseball from a white mans sport. Interesting to read the parallels between Jackie and Louis lives.

[Lundin Rach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Lundin
Ed257
10/18/12
Biography Book Review
Louis Sockalexis; Native American Baseball Pioneer
Being an American means many things, we are known in other countries mostly for our fast food, and movie stars. One of the main things we are known for are our sports teams, and the all American sport of baseball. In Louis Sockalexis; Native American Baseball Pioneer by, Bill Wise, young Louis Sockalexis comes from a very traditional Native American tribe. Just like many other tribes of the time Louis' family was sent off to a reservation. Louis was told as a child to never leave his tribes territory because; if he does he will be in great danger. One day Louis being a curious young boy of course wanders off his family's territory into a yard full of children playing baseball. He ends up joining in the game with the kids and he becomes a fast learner. Eventually, after returning to play with the children many times his family finds out what Louis has been up to and strongly disapproves.
Louis ignores his family's disapproval reluctantly but still returns to play baseball because he felt it was his passion. Soon after that, more white men discover Louis' talent and he becomes a part of the major league baseball team in New York's Polo grounds. At first, Louis is eager and proud to play but, becomes discouraged when the white fan's yell ignorant words of hatred at him just because of his Native American heritage. Louis is set back at first but, strives to prove them wrong and succeeded in doing so. He became the first successful Native American baseball player ever. Towards the end of the story Louis misses his family and to his surprise they all attend a major game Louis is playing and eventually come to embrace his talent.
I believe that this is a good book for elementary students in grades 1st through 3rd to read because, not only is it a history lesson but it is also a book about overcoming others hatred in a productive positive matter. Many kids are bullied at school just as Louis was bullied on the baseball field. Louis turns the hatred of the white fans into motivation to play better. In the same way, children can learn to cope with their bullies by, being productive and positive and moving on and eventually overcome their bullying. In short, this is a great book for teachers to share with their students and a great lesson about the Native American's struggle often forgotten in the history curriculum.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer by Bill Wise is the true story of the first Native American, from the Penobscot tribe of Maine, to play major league baseball. Louis broke into the majors almost 50 years before Jackie Robinson came on the scene and this fact is not very well known to students or even to teachers. I read this book to a group of second grade boys who loved baseball and they were fascinated that they had not heard about this man before. This book chronicles how Louis learned about baseball, began to love the game, and made his way to the major leagues. Louis persevered in the face of great adversity from members of his own tribe as well as people outside of it. His own father was at first not very supportive of his desire to play baseball but by the end of the story he came around and began to support his extraordinary son. This book would be a nice way introduction to the controversy of professional sports teams that continue to use of nicknames derived from Native American’s such as the Indians or the Braves. Older students could research this topic and participate in a debate. The historical aspects of this nonfiction book could also support a unit on Native Americans or minority players who paved the way in major league sports.

[Derek Slagle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer by Bill Wise is the true story of the first Native American, from the Penobscot tribe of Maine, to play major league baseball. This is biography describes the struggles that Louid was faced while becoming the first native american baseball player. I liked this book because there are good pictures, facts and it relates to the theme of baseball, my favorite sport. This would be a lower elementary story that teachers children to never give up.
This would be good to teach children about Native Americans. You could unpack this book and do some research on the Penobscot tribe. You could then go further and create a craft that help the children remember their differences from the native Americans. It could also be used in a lesson about racism.

[JustOneMoreBook.com · Rating 5 out of 5]

This riveting roller coaster of taunts, talent and tenterhooks relays a true story of suffering and success and invites us to examine the troubling shadow of racism and the resiliency of those who rise above it.

You can listen in on our chat about this book on our Just One More Book! Children's Book Podcast.

[Rena Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great story about Louis Sockalexis who was the first Native American to play major league baseball. Louis came from the Penobscot Indian reservation in Maine. The story is a good one to read to your kids who are baseball fans. But a caution: there is one page that has a very scary picture of mean people yelling nasty tings to Louis during a ball game. The picture could be frightening to your children. So I give it 4 stars only because of that picture.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Louis dreamed of being a baseball player, and despite the discrimination he faced for being Indian, he prevailed. Wise gives readers the background for Sockalexis’s rise to baseball fame, integrating lively literary elements such as figurative language and setting. The accompanying illustrations are colorful and reinforce the text. Especially gorgeous are the faces of persons throughout the story; they are done with shades and lines that allow emotion to shine through.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love baseball, love picture book biographies. Interesting story I knew nothing about. Lee and Low Publishers do a great job with multicultural stories. I appreciated the author's note and afterward. It helped put the story into context and shared some of the trials and tribulations that Louis Sockalexis later faced.