Historical Fiction

Satchel Paige Don't Look Back

By: David A. Adler

Illustrated by: Terry Widener

Harcourt Childrens Book: 2007

32 Pages

Historical Fiction

    I chose this book because it just seems to be a great text to teach children about dreaming big. Children should learn from an early age to never let anyone hold you back and that is exactly what this book will teach not only young students but the young at heart as well. In the book Satchel, a young, African American boy steals some toy rings and is sent to a boarding school. This is where he is able to play ball and keep warm. Satchel eventually became a major league rookie although he played in the Negro Leagues for decades. This is where he earns his place in baseball history.

     The illustrations in this book are wonderful. They are somewhat like cartoons. The baseball players tend to have extremely long arms and legs especially Satchel Paige. The colors are amazing. They are true to life. The medium used is acrylics on Strathmore bristol board. I truly love the pictures. The illustrations of people in this text are just too good to be true! I wish more books had illustrations like this. The images of their faces are just priceless! 

This text would be appropriate for children from five to eight years of age, or from kindergarten until third grade. Using this book to teach a history lesson would be beneficial. Students could learn about the times when African Americans were not treated as they are today. Teaching students to never let anyone or anything hold you back from achieving your dreams is another great lesson. Language Arts would be a great place in the curriculum to place this text as well. This book has not won any awards, although David A. Adler has won many!