Louis Sockalexis

Native American Baseball Pioneer
By William Wise, Bill Farnsworth
Paperback: $11.95

A biography of Louis Sockalexis, Penobscot Indian and the first Native American to play professional baseball, focusing on his formative years and culminating in an historic game at New York’s Polo Grounds in 1897.

Description

On a Maine summer day in 1884, twelve-year-old Penobscot Indian Louis Sockalexis first fell in love with baseball. As he grew up, Louis honed his skills and dreamed of one day joining a major league team.

Louis encountered opposition at every turn-from the jeers of teammates and the taunts of spectators who thought he had no place in a “white man’s sport” to the disapproval of his father, who wanted Louis to focus on tribal life. Louis finally made it to the major league Cleveland Spiders, but racism followed him, until one momentous day in June 1897 at New York’s Polo Grounds. Facing off against the most feared pitcher in baseball, Louis proved he belonged in the sport.

Here is the inspiring story of a boy who dared to make his dream a reality. With determination, courage, and quiet dignity, Louis Sockalexis smashed racial barriers and home runs, leaving an indelible mark on America’s favorite sport.

About the Creators

William Wise

Bill Wise is an avid baseball fan, first heard about William Hoy when he was a child. Years later, after further research, Wise was inspired to bring Hoy’s remarkable story to young readers. Wise and his family live in Gorham, Maine.

Bill Farnsworth

Bill Farnsworth is the illustrator of more than fifty children's books. His work has received numerous awards and honors, including Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and selection for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Farnsworth's warmly-lit oil paintings gracefully illuminate the Maine landscape and Sockalexis's days on the baseball diamond. Farnsworth lives with his family in Venice, Florida. Visit him online at billfarnsworth.com.

Awards

  • Carter G. Woodson Award

    National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)

  • Notable Books for a Global Society

    International Literacy Association (ILA)

  • Best Children's Books of the Year

    Bank Street College of Education

Reviews

  • "Wise conveys the tension and drama of the Spiders-Giants game. . . Balancing close-range portraits of the player and depictions of on-the-diamond action, Farnsworth's light-infused oil paintings impart the emotional tenor and the triumph of Louis's early years and regrettably brief major league career."

    - Publishers Weekly
  • "Wise and Farnsworth collaborate to great effect in rendering this story both informative and poignant. The color-drenched paintings do an excellent job of bringing this period to life and capturing the intense emotion of the ballpark drama. This finely crafted look at a little-known sports pioneer should intrigue a wide audience of readers."

    - School Library Journal
  • "Farnsworth imparts a strong sense of character and period by posing his slender, dignified, smooth-skinned athlete in old-time uniforms against hazy historical settings."

    - Kirkus Reviews
  • "There are a number of books about the difficulties African American baseball players faced in their efforts to participate in America's pastime. Here's the story of a Native American, who also dealt with prejudice in the early days of the game. . . the story of the Penobscot boy who fell in love with baseball and endured the jeers and taunts of crowds and teammates is illustrated powerfully by Farnsworth."

    - Booklist
  • "Sockalexis encountered racial taunts, injury and the disapproval of his father to become one of the best players - and certainly one of the greatest Native players - in baseball history. . . This is a wonderful scripted narrative of one of the early pioneers in Native American sports history, suitable for every boy and girl who dreams of diamond glory."

    - Native Peoples Magazine
  • "A Penobscot Indian, Louis played briefly for the Cleveland Spiders in the late 1890s. Racism followed him wherever he competed, but he proved that he belonged in the sport not only with his bat and glove, but with his quiet dignity and courage. . . Bill Farnsworth's warm oil paintings shed light on the story. An inspiring tale, much like that of Jackie Robinson."

    - Plain Dealer

Paperback

  • ISBN 9781600604287
  • Price $11.95
  • Publication Date Jun 29, 2005
  • Trim Size 10.5 × 8.25 × 1 in
  • Weight 0.325 lbs
  • Page Count 32
  • Word Count 1804
  • Hardcover

  • ISBN 9781584302698
  • Price $16.95
  • Publication Date Jun 29, 2005
  • Trim Size N/A
  • Weight 0.4375 lbs
  • Word Count 1804
  • Interests

  • Imprint Lee & Low Books
  • Audience Children
  • BISAC Category 1 JNF / Biography & Autobiography / Sports & Recreation
  • BISAC Category 2 JNF / Sports & Recreation / Baseball & Softball
  • BISAC Category 3 JNF / People & Places / United States / Native American
  • Themes Biography / Memoir, Conflict resolution, Courage, Discrimination, Dreams & Aspirations, Families, Friendship, History & Civics, Indigenous / First Nations / Native American, Informational / Expository Nonfiction, Nonfiction, Optimism / Enthusiasm, Overcoming Obstacles, Persistence / Grit, Pride, Respect / Citizenship, Self Control / Self Regulation, Social Justice & Activism, Sports, Sports History, United States History
  • Reading Levels

  • Age Range Ages 6 - 10
  • Grade Range Grades 1 - 5
  • Guided Reading S
  • ATOS Book Level 5.7
  • DRA 40
  • Interest Level Grades 1 - 5
  • Lexile Code AD
  • Lexile Level 920
  • Reading Level Grades 2 - 4
  • SRC 5.6
  • Bebop Reading Fluent
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