Satchel Paige: Don't Look Back

Satchel Paige: Don't Look Back

Author: David A. Adler

Illustrator: Terry Widener

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Copyright: 2007

32 pages

Genre: Biography

 

I chose this book because I wanted to blog about a piece of literature that would be interesting to boys. Most of the time I gravitate towards books that I like as a girl, so sometimes it's good to go outside of your comfort zone and read something new. I liked the cover of the book and the way the illustration looked. I don't know a lot about baseball so I thought it might be nice to learn about it. 

 This story is about Satchel Paige, who was a great baseball player. However, in 1920 African Americans were not allowed to play in the Major Leagues. This book tells about how Satchel Paige never gave up and kept going until he broke the stereotypes.

The medium used in the illustrations were done in Golden acrylics on Strathmore bristol board.The illustrations really capture the expression of the characters. I love the details in this story told through the pictures. Most of the pictures show the baseball field, but I particularly enjoy the ones of his home. I love the shadows of people inside. It really brings the story to life. 

This story would interest students in third to fifth grade. It is on a 5.1 grade level. This could be used in a classroom while learning about the 1920's and how African Americans had to slowly earn their rights. I could see this as a featured book during Black History Month. You could write a story from the view point of Satchel Paige. I also like the idea of creating a scrapbook page for a historical figure. Terry Widener has earned numerous awards, including a Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and an ALA Notable Book.