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Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series
The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native pro baseball players to face off in a World Series. This picture book teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports.
Charles Bender grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota. John Meyers was raised on the Cahuilla reservation in Southern California. Despite their mutual respect for each other's talents and their shared dedication to Native representation in baseball, the media was determined to pit them against each other.
However, they never gave up on their dreams of being pro baseball players and didn’t let the supposed rivalry created by the media or the racism they faced within the stadium stop them. They continued to break barriers and went on to play a combined total of nine championships.
With text by Traci Sorell and illustrations by Arigon Starr that brings these two players to life, the stories of John Meyers and Charles Bender remain an inspiration for achieving and maintaining one’s dreams in the face of prejudice.
Charles Bender grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota. John Meyers was raised on the Cahuilla reservation in Southern California. Despite their mutual respect for each other's talents and their shared dedication to Native representation in baseball, the media was determined to pit them against each other.
However, they never gave up on their dreams of being pro baseball players and didn’t let the supposed rivalry created by the media or the racism they faced within the stadium stop them. They continued to break barriers and went on to play a combined total of nine championships.
With text by Traci Sorell and illustrations by Arigon Starr that brings these two players to life, the stories of John Meyers and Charles Bender remain an inspiration for achieving and maintaining one’s dreams in the face of prejudice.
48 pages, Hardcover
First published April 11, 2023
2 people are currently reading
165 people want to read
About the author
Traci Sorell
24 books140 followersBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. In 2023, she shares Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series, a Kirkus Reviews starred nonfiction picture book biography illustrated by Arigon Starr, and Mascot, a middle grade fiction novel-in-verse co-authored with Charles Waters. Traci is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Learn more at www.tracisorell.com.
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May 5, 2023Where are all the baseball picture books? There have been relatively few in the past couple of years. Maybe it has something to do with the pandemic. I don’t know. I’m just glad that an important baseball picture book has emerged this spring from author Traci Sorrell and illustrator Arigon Starr: Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series. Sorrel is an enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation, and Starr is an enrolled member of the Kickapoo Tribe.
Contenders is the nonfiction story of Charles Bender and John Meyers, two Native baseball players who met in the 1911 World Series while enduring insults both casual and hostile, including newspaper accounts referring to them as “Chief Bender” and “Chief Meyers,” although neither player held that title. The New York Times even printed a photo of the two men shaking hands that included this in the caption: “Maybe they wished they had tomahawks in their hands instead of a bat and a baseball.”
The book begins with Starr’s horizontally-oriented double-page spreads that effectively evoke watching a baseball game from a few rows behind home plate as the eye roams across the space to follow the action described in Sorrell’s text. Starr’s comics-style approach to the characters maintains an appealing tone even when the social justice themes emerge that may become challenging to some younger readers.
Contenders then presents the childhoods of Bender and Meyers that included cruel pressures to assimilate into white cultural norms as well as how they learned about baseball. In this book, the baseball and the cruelty are never very far apart. The journeys of Bender and Meyers to the major leagues are presented in alternating spreads that show them being recruited and coached by legendary figures such as Pop Warner, Connie Mack, and John McGraw, even as they suffer taunts from teammates and spectators.
In 1911, Bender and Meyers–arguably the best players on their teams–faced off in the World Series. Sorrell and Starr present highlights of the seven-game series in dramatic panels and descriptions.
After the 1911 World Series, both Bender and Meyers again reached the game’s pinnacle a total of nine times, although the racist jeers persisted throughout their careers.
As Contenders concludes, Traci Sorrell rightly provides contemporary context for Charles Bender and John Meyers: “More than one hundred years later, Native athletes today still face these same challenges. Tomahawk chops and derogatory chants and signs can be seen and heard at stadiums and ballparks across the country because of the permitted use of racist team mascots. From peewee to professional levels, no other athletes in the United States face the kind of sanctioned mocking and dishonor of their culture that Native players do.” Because so many young players inherit these racist symbols and are powerless to do much about them, Sorrell’s words in a picture book may help young readers understand and articulate the changes that need to take place.
Back matter includes an Author’s Note detailing the lives and careers of Charles Bender and John Meyers after the 1911 World Series. A Time Line includes important events in both men’s lives, as well as events relevant to baseball and its slow movement toward integration. The final Time Line entry of 2022 poignantly lists the Cherokee Nation citizens who are major league pitchers. A Sources list provides documentation for the racist quotes included in the narrative text.
I hope Contenders indicates a trend toward more baseball picture books, especially those that illuminate the game while contextualizing its history.
Contenders is the nonfiction story of Charles Bender and John Meyers, two Native baseball players who met in the 1911 World Series while enduring insults both casual and hostile, including newspaper accounts referring to them as “Chief Bender” and “Chief Meyers,” although neither player held that title. The New York Times even printed a photo of the two men shaking hands that included this in the caption: “Maybe they wished they had tomahawks in their hands instead of a bat and a baseball.”
The book begins with Starr’s horizontally-oriented double-page spreads that effectively evoke watching a baseball game from a few rows behind home plate as the eye roams across the space to follow the action described in Sorrell’s text. Starr’s comics-style approach to the characters maintains an appealing tone even when the social justice themes emerge that may become challenging to some younger readers.
Contenders then presents the childhoods of Bender and Meyers that included cruel pressures to assimilate into white cultural norms as well as how they learned about baseball. In this book, the baseball and the cruelty are never very far apart. The journeys of Bender and Meyers to the major leagues are presented in alternating spreads that show them being recruited and coached by legendary figures such as Pop Warner, Connie Mack, and John McGraw, even as they suffer taunts from teammates and spectators.
In 1911, Bender and Meyers–arguably the best players on their teams–faced off in the World Series. Sorrell and Starr present highlights of the seven-game series in dramatic panels and descriptions.
After the 1911 World Series, both Bender and Meyers again reached the game’s pinnacle a total of nine times, although the racist jeers persisted throughout their careers.
As Contenders concludes, Traci Sorrell rightly provides contemporary context for Charles Bender and John Meyers: “More than one hundred years later, Native athletes today still face these same challenges. Tomahawk chops and derogatory chants and signs can be seen and heard at stadiums and ballparks across the country because of the permitted use of racist team mascots. From peewee to professional levels, no other athletes in the United States face the kind of sanctioned mocking and dishonor of their culture that Native players do.” Because so many young players inherit these racist symbols and are powerless to do much about them, Sorrell’s words in a picture book may help young readers understand and articulate the changes that need to take place.
Back matter includes an Author’s Note detailing the lives and careers of Charles Bender and John Meyers after the 1911 World Series. A Time Line includes important events in both men’s lives, as well as events relevant to baseball and its slow movement toward integration. The final Time Line entry of 2022 poignantly lists the Cherokee Nation citizens who are major league pitchers. A Sources list provides documentation for the racist quotes included in the narrative text.
I hope Contenders indicates a trend toward more baseball picture books, especially those that illuminate the game while contextualizing its history.
November 16, 2023
Copy provided by the publisher
In 1911, John Meyers of the New York Giants and Charles Bender of the Philadelphia Athletics faced off in the World Series. For the two Native American players, this was a groundbreaking event, but also showcased the racism and discrimination the two had faced throughout their careers. Bender, whose mother was Ojibwe, had been set to Indian boarding school in Philadelphia when he was only seven. Meyer whose mother was Cahuilla, lived on the tribal reservation near Riverside, California and was not able to finish school because he needed to work to support his family. Both had German-American fathers and loved baseball, but while Meyer was able to celebrate his culture, Bender was forced to adopt the culture of Christian white people. Bender and his older brother both ended up at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where Bender's talent brought him to the attention of Pop Warner, the coach at the school. School also played an influential tole in Meyers career; he played for Dartmouth College until it was discovered that he hadn't graduated from high school. When both men made professional teams, they had to deal with a lot of ugliness from not only reporters and the public, but also their teammates. Bender had a long career in baseball, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, but Meyer eventually returned to work on the Cahuilla reservation.
Strengths: This was an interesting look at the events and circumstances leading to a very particular point in time. I was surprised that there were two Native American baseball players at this time period, since it took decades more before other players of color took place in the game. The challenges that both men faced (and which were very typical of the time period) are well described for young readers who might not understand what the world was like at the turn of the last century. The racism and prejudice is addressed in a factual way that is appropriate for readers of picture books but still stark and unflinching. There is a helpful timeline as well as source notes at the end.
Weaknesses: I had some trouble keeping the men straight in the book and wish there had been more visual cues to tell them apart.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like sports history books like Roberts and Galvão's 100 Baseball Legends Who Shaped Sports History: A Sports Biography Book for Kids and Teens Vernick and Chapman's All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, Tavares' Growing Up Pedro, or Tate's Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes.
In 1911, John Meyers of the New York Giants and Charles Bender of the Philadelphia Athletics faced off in the World Series. For the two Native American players, this was a groundbreaking event, but also showcased the racism and discrimination the two had faced throughout their careers. Bender, whose mother was Ojibwe, had been set to Indian boarding school in Philadelphia when he was only seven. Meyer whose mother was Cahuilla, lived on the tribal reservation near Riverside, California and was not able to finish school because he needed to work to support his family. Both had German-American fathers and loved baseball, but while Meyer was able to celebrate his culture, Bender was forced to adopt the culture of Christian white people. Bender and his older brother both ended up at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, where Bender's talent brought him to the attention of Pop Warner, the coach at the school. School also played an influential tole in Meyers career; he played for Dartmouth College until it was discovered that he hadn't graduated from high school. When both men made professional teams, they had to deal with a lot of ugliness from not only reporters and the public, but also their teammates. Bender had a long career in baseball, and was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953, but Meyer eventually returned to work on the Cahuilla reservation.
Strengths: This was an interesting look at the events and circumstances leading to a very particular point in time. I was surprised that there were two Native American baseball players at this time period, since it took decades more before other players of color took place in the game. The challenges that both men faced (and which were very typical of the time period) are well described for young readers who might not understand what the world was like at the turn of the last century. The racism and prejudice is addressed in a factual way that is appropriate for readers of picture books but still stark and unflinching. There is a helpful timeline as well as source notes at the end.
Weaknesses: I had some trouble keeping the men straight in the book and wish there had been more visual cues to tell them apart.
What I really think: This is a good choice for readers who like sports history books like Roberts and Galvão's 100 Baseball Legends Who Shaped Sports History: A Sports Biography Book for Kids and Teens Vernick and Chapman's All Star: How Larry Doby Smashed the Color Barrier in Baseball, Tavares' Growing Up Pedro, or Tate's Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist Ernie Barnes.
May 3, 2023
I recommend this for every elementary school and public library.
January 31, 2024
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Honor Book.
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Spencer rated this book 3 out of 5 stars.
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Spencer rated this book 3 out of 5 stars.
August 5, 2023
This powerful picture book non-fiction biography of two great baseball players who were both Native Americans deserves all the recognition I can share. The baseball stats are as incredible as much as the negative behaviors of the Native heritage of these professional athletes. I am very impressed with the details, the strength of character this biography focuses upon, and the obvious love of the game shown by these two American Baseball Heroes.
I will add this book to my elementary library collections. We need to honor all famous players when we build collections of professional sports. I see this book being paired with Teammates written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon in 1990, a book that continues to be quite popular with my students. Kudos to Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr for this much need baseball story of two tremendous athletes.
I will add this book to my elementary library collections. We need to honor all famous players when we build collections of professional sports. I see this book being paired with Teammates written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon in 1990, a book that continues to be quite popular with my students. Kudos to Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr for this much need baseball story of two tremendous athletes.
October 23, 2023
An outstanding picture book! I highly recommend this story! For more information about Charles Bender, I also highly recommend this middle grade biography: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
August 8, 2023
Excellent story about two Native Americans who played against each other in the 1911 MLB World Series.
January 1, 2024
As a baseball fan, I loved learning about this slice of history of the game. Both Charles Bender and John Meyers were amazing baseball players whose influence can still be seen today. I am thankful that Sorell was blatant in her description of the racist treatment these players faced, and that Native players still face, while still focusing on their achievements and life. And make sure not to miss out on the Author’s Note to see the truly amazing stats these men held. I also enjoyed Starr’s illustration; her work is new to me, and I look forward to seeing other picture books from her.
May 22, 2023
Well-researched non-fiction title! This book details the 1911 World Series and two opposing opponents: John Meyers and Charles Bender. I had not heard of either player until this book; seeing the newspaper headlines, their stories, and quotes in the book show the hard times both players had and how they overcame racism to achieve their success in the ballpark. Back matter includes sources, author's note, and a timeline.
June 5, 2023
An earnest, powerful account of two Native baseball players, Charles Bender and John Meyers, whose teams competed against one another in the 1911 World Series. Sorrell weaves the stories of these two skilled athletes together to create a powerful and relevant statement about anti-Native racism in sports (and beyond) throughout history and today.
Themes: Sports, Baseball, Racism, Competition, Indigenous Life
Age range: Elementary
Themes: Sports, Baseball, Racism, Competition, Indigenous Life
Age range: Elementary
July 3, 2023
a really important story to tell, i might be biased since i like baseball
June 19, 2023
My son and I are baseball lovers, and we read this together. We had some meaningful conversations after reading this book.
It was a great book detailing the lives of two Native baseball players and their journeys.
It was a great book detailing the lives of two Native baseball players and their journeys.
April 19, 2023
This is a really interesting book and is a good addition to both my baseball and my Indigenous people collections. Recommended.
April 22, 2023
This is an amazing story that white history has buried. Beautifully told and illustrated. What a book!
May 12, 2023
They should make a movie about the Charles Albert Bender and John Meyers.
June 29, 2023
Great historical picture book for kids, schools, & libraries about indigenous baseball players, Charles Albert Bender & John Tortes Meyer.
February 24, 2024
Although the writing meandered a bit, taking me out of the narration at times, this is arguably an important slice of baseball history. While the 1911 World Series was the first series in which two individuals from Native Nations faced each other with John Meyers playing for the New York Giants and Charles Bender playing for the Philadelphia Athletics. After teasing readers with a moment from the first game in the series, the author reels the clock backward, describing the life challenges and discriminations both Meyers and Bender faced when growing up, during their formative years, and beyond. And even while playing "America's game," they faced various taunts and ridicule. In some respects it's hard to imagine those sorts of slurs being shouted or even printed in a newspaper today, but then again, a quick browse of various social media outlets tells us that this sort of thing skill occurs as does the use of mascots that are harmful to Natives. While I wish that I felt as though I knew these two men better--maybe by including some of their words in addition to their deeds and feats on the baseball field--Sorell doesn't shy away from describing how they were treated, even calling it out as "sanctioned mocking and dishonor of their culture" (unpaged), a statement that should make readers think twice about those mascots that so many professional and even high school teams have continued to cling to. Pairing this story with Mascot, the novel in verse published in 2023, would increase the impact of both books, perhaps changing minds. The artwork is quite interesting, much of it having the look and feel of those baseball cards of players that have always been such popular collector's items. The illustrator drew them by hand and with digital elements after referring to archival photographs. I liked it more after looking at it more closely. Readers won't want to miss the Author's Note and the Timeline in the back matter that tell about what happens after this particular World Series. Add this to a classroom library collection about history, baseball or groundbreaking individuals; it offers a lot to think about as well as could be the starting point for a great discussion.
July 19, 2024
I was so excited about this book but, ultimately, was left wishing for a bit more. The story felt somewhat dry -- we get some info about Bender's and Meyers' childhoods and their baseball careers but I don't feel we really got to know them as individuals.
While absolutely the racism they faced should be a cornerstone of a book such as this, and needs to be discussed, I felt it missed nuance. We hear of the repeated racism these two players faced, and the text even mentions that John "spoke out about the injustices he saw happening to Native peoples across the country" but I craved details as to how he did this. We learn that these players "used their quick wit to deflect and defuse the insults and rude treatment -- most of the time. Sometimes they shouted back." Again, I wanted to know more about this. Also, despite a 2023 publication date, the story ends by mentioning the continued racism against Natives because of permitted use of racist mascots etc. Certainly I do not wish to diminish the wrongs of the past or ignore ongoing racism but I think children need to see that a little progress has been made as this helps encourage them that more positive change is possible. I wish it had mentioned, at least in back matter, that some changes are underway, even if we have a way to go (most notably, Cleveland Indians announced their name change in July 2021 and began to play as the Guardians in the 2022 season but more examples of sports teams changing their team names can be found if you search-- this was happening beginning in early 1970s with some college teams in basketball and football, also) The changes we see today started with the bravery of these early players and I like to think they would want to acknowledge the progress that has been made.
Bottom line, this is worth a read if the subject is of interest but you may need to do further research if you really want a sense of the players' personalities and details about their lives off-field. I do appreciate that the book includes a list of direct quotes and Sources at the back as well as a timeline.
While absolutely the racism they faced should be a cornerstone of a book such as this, and needs to be discussed, I felt it missed nuance. We hear of the repeated racism these two players faced, and the text even mentions that John "spoke out about the injustices he saw happening to Native peoples across the country" but I craved details as to how he did this. We learn that these players "used their quick wit to deflect and defuse the insults and rude treatment -- most of the time. Sometimes they shouted back." Again, I wanted to know more about this. Also, despite a 2023 publication date, the story ends by mentioning the continued racism against Natives because of permitted use of racist mascots etc. Certainly I do not wish to diminish the wrongs of the past or ignore ongoing racism but I think children need to see that a little progress has been made as this helps encourage them that more positive change is possible. I wish it had mentioned, at least in back matter, that some changes are underway, even if we have a way to go (most notably, Cleveland Indians announced their name change in July 2021 and began to play as the Guardians in the 2022 season but more examples of sports teams changing their team names can be found if you search-- this was happening beginning in early 1970s with some college teams in basketball and football, also) The changes we see today started with the bravery of these early players and I like to think they would want to acknowledge the progress that has been made.
Bottom line, this is worth a read if the subject is of interest but you may need to do further research if you really want a sense of the players' personalities and details about their lives off-field. I do appreciate that the book includes a list of direct quotes and Sources at the back as well as a timeline.
February 16, 2024
A terrific nonfiction picture book that is also a dual biography of two of the groundbreaking Native American ballplayers in baseball history. it is a unique story and one that is long overdue. Albert Bender and John Meyers both had the nickname "Chief" which originated form their Native American heritage; Bender a pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics, and Meyers a slugger of the New York Giants faced each other in the 1911 World Series where they both made important contributions to their respective teams in a classic series that would eventually be won by Philadelphia. Traci Sorell not only details the exploits of both players in the series, but traces each players rise from humble beginnings to success in the major leagues; however- we learn that both men faced the ugliness of segregation and racial diatribe that other players of color would face decades later in the 1940's as the baseball's color line was broken by Jackie Robinson and others. The story serves both players well and introduces readers to a time when baseball was becoming a national pastime at in the early 1900's. This is the kind of nonficti0n picture book that is a great read aloud as a story. Arigon Starr's clean and detailed illustratiopns have a graphic novel look and enhance both the setting of an old ballpark as well as the period on which the game was played. As the baseball season approaches, this is a great book to start the season off with - and a learning experience as well.
April 17, 2024
Should kids, adults, and all humans of the world be aware of minority baseball players besides Jackie Robinson? Absolutely! I just don't think this is the vehicle to get them to care about those other players, unfortunately. I read the ebook which may affect my judgement but I found it difficult to read with this particular font choice because letters and words blended together. Beyond that, this book feels quite static and academic for a sports book. It's a lot of people sitting reading the newspaper or standing around. Plus, even though the book centers on these two players going head to head at the world series, it never really explains what makes that significant. Was it the first time two players with similar cultural backgrounds had played against each other? The timeline in the back makes it clear that these were not the first Native players in the professional baseball leagues. And while the book talks about a lasting legacy of Native American players in the major leagues, Jim Thorpe is the only name I recognized and that's because he had a young readers biography written back in the 1980s or 1990s and nothing more recent.
May 15, 2024
The true story of Charles Bender and John Meyers.
⚾️
These two Native baseball players met during the 1911 World Series. They endure insults both casual and racist in nature. The press really played up the rivalry between the two using racist names such as Chief Bender and Chief Meyers. The picture book goes into detail about both men’s childhood and shares how the two men dealt with white norms being forced upon them even when they tried to stay connected to their heritage, language, culture and homes.
⚾️
I love @tracisorellauthor and even more after sharing a bus ride to Boston together 😂 I’m working through her backlog and absolutely loved this nonfiction book. I learned so much about two men I’d never heard of before. Be sure to check out the source list in the back. The comic-style drawings will also be a hit with all ages! I loved the audiobook narrated by Traci as well! Her voices and sounds were so well done!
CW: racism, microaggressions
⚾️
These two Native baseball players met during the 1911 World Series. They endure insults both casual and racist in nature. The press really played up the rivalry between the two using racist names such as Chief Bender and Chief Meyers. The picture book goes into detail about both men’s childhood and shares how the two men dealt with white norms being forced upon them even when they tried to stay connected to their heritage, language, culture and homes.
⚾️
I love @tracisorellauthor and even more after sharing a bus ride to Boston together 😂 I’m working through her backlog and absolutely loved this nonfiction book. I learned so much about two men I’d never heard of before. Be sure to check out the source list in the back. The comic-style drawings will also be a hit with all ages! I loved the audiobook narrated by Traci as well! Her voices and sounds were so well done!
CW: racism, microaggressions
August 6, 2023
This powerful picture book non-fiction biography of two great baseball players who were both Native Americans deserves all the recognition I can share. The baseball stats are as incredible as much as the negative behaviors of the Native heritage of these professional athletes. I am very impressed with the details, the strength of character this biography focuses upon, and the obvious love of the game shown by these two American Baseball Heroes.
I will add this book to my elementary library collections. We need to honor all famous players when we build collections of professional sports. I see this book being paired with Teammates written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon in 1990, a book that continues to be quite popular with my students. Kudos to Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr for this much need baseball story of two tremendous athletes.
I will add this book to my elementary library collections. We need to honor all famous players when we build collections of professional sports. I see this book being paired with Teammates written by Peter Golenbock and illustrated by Paul Bacon in 1990, a book that continues to be quite popular with my students. Kudos to Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr for this much need baseball story of two tremendous athletes.
June 15, 2023
3 stars (I liked it)
I love picture book biographies because I get to learn about amazing people that I often didn't know about previously.
This was an interesting book about two baseball players who were popular in the early 1900s yet the themes and challenges can relate to modern day (Sorell makes the connection at the end as well to make sure it's clear).
While the story is interesting, the narrative is somewhat choppy. It switches between the two men and jumps around a bit. Both men go by many different nicknames, which can make following the story a little harder. I also felt like the text was somewhat dry. Like the first couple pages that introduce the two men were exciting and really hook the reader but then it's more like "facts, facts, facts."
I love picture book biographies because I get to learn about amazing people that I often didn't know about previously.
This was an interesting book about two baseball players who were popular in the early 1900s yet the themes and challenges can relate to modern day (Sorell makes the connection at the end as well to make sure it's clear).
While the story is interesting, the narrative is somewhat choppy. It switches between the two men and jumps around a bit. Both men go by many different nicknames, which can make following the story a little harder. I also felt like the text was somewhat dry. Like the first couple pages that introduce the two men were exciting and really hook the reader but then it's more like "facts, facts, facts."
May 17, 2023
Sharing the story of two Indigenous men who became famous baseball players, Sorell uses the backdrop of the World Series game in which they were on opposite teams to showcase how they both made it to the professional league and the discrimination they faced along the way.
The illustrations didn't enhance the story any, like I wasn't particularly moved by them, but the story of the two men was one that more should hear about especially through the lens of hearing how the two men were referred to in the spotlight.
The illustrations didn't enhance the story any, like I wasn't particularly moved by them, but the story of the two men was one that more should hear about especially through the lens of hearing how the two men were referred to in the spotlight.
May 25, 2023
This nonfiction picture book has a choppy narrative flow, especially since it switches back and forth between the two men repeatedly and has a confusing timeline. The men also went by different names and nicknames throughout their lives, which makes it harder to keep the details straight. This tells an important true story, but it's not as good as it could be. This is only for older children, since they need the narrative skills to follow the choppy story and will need prior knowledge about baseball and American history.
March 12, 2024
This is a wonderful book! I loved the way the story is told. I did not know that two native Americans were superstars for the A's and Giants during the 1911 World Series. I was very intrigued by the story of the two Native American baseball players, Charles Bender and John Meyers. They endured a lot to make it to the highest level of baseball. I also enjoyed the author mentioning some of today's Native American MLB players such as Cherokee nation and St. Louis Cardinals' superstar Ryan Helsley.
July 10, 2024
Great book for students looking for biographies on athletes. This book introduces us to professional baseball players Charles Bender (Ojibwe) and John Meyers (Cahuilla) who competed against each other in the 1911 World Series. The book explores the racism they faced throughout there careers including racist remarks in the news.
Kids who enjoyed Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army will want to read this book.
This book is part of Wisconsin's 2024 Battle of the Books.
Kids who enjoyed Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army will want to read this book.
This book is part of Wisconsin's 2024 Battle of the Books.
October 28, 2025
Hardwork, culture, history, racism, and baseball are the major components of this narrative. The author shares about both baseball players upbringing and how they got into professional baseball. This book also touches on what it is like to be indigenous in a majority white team. I think a lot of students could relate to this book whether that is liking baseball, their upbringing or what it's like to feel like an outsider. At the back of the book is a timeline of events of indigenous baseball players.
May 31, 2023
This picture-book biography outlines the lives and achievements of baseball players Charles Bender (Ojibwe) and John Meyer (Cahuilla), revealing the racism that followed them into their major league face-off at the 1911 World Series.
As author Traci Sorell concludes: "From peewee to professional levels, no other athletes in the United States face the kind of sanctioned mocking and dishonor of their culture that Native players do."
A sobering and important story.
As author Traci Sorell concludes: "From peewee to professional levels, no other athletes in the United States face the kind of sanctioned mocking and dishonor of their culture that Native players do."
A sobering and important story.
August 19, 2023
This is not just a kids book. It is a brief illustrated history of two baseball stars and the prejudice they faced because they were Native American baseball players in the 1910s. I’ve read dozens of baseball books and this is the first book I’ve read covering Native American baseball players. This book makes me want to read more about Charles Bender and John Meyers.
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