Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson (Scholastic Biography)

I bought this for my son to read for a third grade biography book report. He loves baseball and asked for a book about Jackie Robinson. He enjoys this book and constantly comments on the interesting facts he is learning. This speaks well of the book as he is, putting it charitably, a reluctant reader.I read the book myself as well. I don't expect a biography aimed at elementary school children to have the same level of complexity or subtlety as a biography for adults. Still, the author lost credibility by stating that UCLA is in Pasadena. UCLA is over 20 miles from Pasadena. Instead of saying UCLA is "right in Pasadena," the author could have said UCLA is "a short ride from Pasadena" (which would have been true when Robinson attended, even though not true in today's traffic) without either confusing his young readers or stating a false fact. The blooper about Pasadena made me wonder what other facts the author got wrong.Still, this is a valuable story for kids to read. It affords a much-needed history lesson on life in segregated America during the first half of the 20th century, and inspiration on two fronts: Jackie Robinson's determination to succeed in a world that was set up to marginalize him, and the controversial but courageous efforts of two principled men, Robinson and Brooklyn Dodgers General Manager Branch Rickey, to clear a trail toward justice--and better baseball. Over the six-year period starting in 1947 when Robinson joined the Dodgers, the team won four National League pennants. Recommended, especially for sports-loving kids.

Very inspiring

I am always looking for books to appeal to the boys in my classroom. This book made the rounds as one boy would recommend it to another. Doesn't get any better than that!

My 8 year old son loves Jackie Robinson and this book.

I ordered this because we could not find it in stores anywhere in our hometown. Also because my 12 year old grand son was required to do a summer book report on this book

good.

Good story!

Was for my 3rd graders wax museum project. He didn't like the book, we ended up using a different one