Fun Activities
Baseball
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson
By: Michelle Green
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
In the 1950's, current Marylander Mamie Johnson became one of only a handful of women to play professional baseball when she signed for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. Sports fans and those who like stories about strong young women will find this equally appealing.
By: Michelle Green
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
In the 1950's, current Marylander Mamie Johnson became one of only a handful of women to play professional baseball when she signed for the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues. Sports fans and those who like stories about strong young women will find this equally appealing.
Baseball on Mars
By: Rafael Rivera, Jr. & Tim Hoppey
Illustrated by: Christina Rodriguez
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
What do you get when put together an old barrel, a few boards, a steering wheel, and a lucky chair? A rocket to Mars, of course! Join a young boy and his father as they take an exciting journey to the stars and get ready to play the first game of baseball in outer space. Bilingual text.
By: Rafael Rivera, Jr. & Tim Hoppey
Illustrated by: Christina Rodriguez
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
What do you get when put together an old barrel, a few boards, a steering wheel, and a lucky chair? A rocket to Mars, of course! Join a young boy and his father as they take an exciting journey to the stars and get ready to play the first game of baseball in outer space. Bilingual text.
Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer
By: Bill Wise
Illustrated by: Bill Farnsworth
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
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 to the disapproval of his father. With determination, courage, and quiet dignity, Louis Sockalexis smashed racial barriers and home runs, leaving an indelible mark on America's favorite sport.
By: Bill Wise
Illustrated by: Bill Farnsworth
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
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 to the disapproval of his father. With determination, courage, and quiet dignity, Louis Sockalexis smashed racial barriers and home runs, leaving an indelible mark on America's favorite sport.
We Are the Ship: The Story of the Negro League Baseball
By: Kadir Nelson
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
An introduction by baseball great Hank Aaron opens this riveting look at the history of the Negro League. A large format supports revealing portraits of League players and an absorbing narration revealed in nine innings. Endnotes and further readings conclude this memorable and accessible history.
By: Kadir Nelson
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
An introduction by baseball great Hank Aaron opens this riveting look at the history of the Negro League. A large format supports revealing portraits of League players and an absorbing narration revealed in nine innings. Endnotes and further readings conclude this memorable and accessible history.
Soccer
For the Love of Soccer!
By: Pelé
Illustrated by: Frank Morrison
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
"In first-person narration, Pelé describes his lifetime passion for the game, which began in childhood…Morrison's vibrant, energetic illustrations depict a dual story. Each two-page spread features vignettes from Pelé's career on one page (subtly aging their subject over the course of the book), while the facing page reveals a parallel story line of a modern-day child learning to love the game. The vivid pictures, featuring slightly elongated figures and tilted perspectives, convey all the energy of this universal sport." — Kirkus Reviews
By: Pelé
Illustrated by: Frank Morrison
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Independent Reader
"In first-person narration, Pelé describes his lifetime passion for the game, which began in childhood…Morrison's vibrant, energetic illustrations depict a dual story. Each two-page spread features vignettes from Pelé's career on one page (subtly aging their subject over the course of the book), while the facing page reveals a parallel story line of a modern-day child learning to love the game. The vivid pictures, featuring slightly elongated figures and tilted perspectives, convey all the energy of this universal sport." — Kirkus Reviews
Goal!
By: Mina Javaherbin
Illustrated by: A.G. Ford
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
"This heart-tugging picture book from a debut author tells a lyrical soccer story in the voice of a young boy in a South African shantytown… In full-page oil paintings, Ford uses unusual angles to intensify the sense of the scuffling, exciting action; the tense confrontation; and the reality of shantytown life." — Gillian Engberg, Booklist
By: Mina Javaherbin
Illustrated by: A.G. Ford
Age Level: 9-12
Reading Level: Independent Reader
"This heart-tugging picture book from a debut author tells a lyrical soccer story in the voice of a young boy in a South African shantytown… In full-page oil paintings, Ford uses unusual angles to intensify the sense of the scuffling, exciting action; the tense confrontation; and the reality of shantytown life." — Gillian Engberg, Booklist
Maya and Miguel: Soccer Around the World
By: Tracey West
Illustrated by: Jeff Albrecht
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
When Maya and Miguel meet a professional soccer star, they learn all about how the game is played in countries around the world. Soccer fans will enjoy discovering facts about the sport with the twins. Available from Scholastic, Reader Level 3. Spanish edition out of print but may be available in libraries.
By: Tracey West
Illustrated by: Jeff Albrecht
Age Level: 6-9
Reading Level: Beginning Reader
When Maya and Miguel meet a professional soccer star, they learn all about how the game is played in countries around the world. Soccer fans will enjoy discovering facts about the sport with the twins. Available from Scholastic, Reader Level 3. Spanish edition out of print but may be available in libraries.