Jackie's Nine : Jackie Robinson's Values to Live by [Hardcover]

Sharon Robinson (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up | Series: Jackie's 9

To millions of people, Jackie Robinson is a sports and civil rights hero. To Sharon Robinson, he¹s all that‹and Dad. From the unique perspective that only a daughter could have, she guides readers through the nine heart-felt, hard-won values that helped Jackie achieve his goals. Included are compelling autobiographical passages by both Robinsons, as well as powerful profiles of people like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan who carry on Robinson¹s legacy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Robinson pays tribute to the values that she believes exemplified her father's life in this rather choppy collection of pieces, the majority of which have been published in earlier books. In chapters devoted to each of these nine principles (courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment and excellence), she includes an entry by or about her father, a recollection of what she considers a memorable event in her own past and an article by or about an individual from among what she describes as her "heroes courageous men and women who have touched me personally." Entries in this last category include an excerpt from Christopher Reeve's autobiography, a portion of Bruce Markusen's biography of Roberto Clemente and an excerpt from Martin Luther King Jr.'s A Testament of Hope. The author draws extensively from her father's I Never Had It Made, an autobiography as told to Alfred Duckett; as well as her own Stealing Home: An Intimate Portrait of Jackie Robinson, published in 1996. The result feels a bit cobbled together; through the amalgam of voices, it is Jackie Robinson's, rather than the author's, that emerges as the most compelling. Still, middle graders may well find inspiring the life and words of this first African-American major-league ball player and Hall of Famer. Ages 10-up.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Gr 6-8-This personal tribute by a daughter to her famous father is meant to inspire young readers. Topics include courage, determination, teamwork, persistence, integrity, citizenship, justice, commitment, and excellence. Each chapter begins with a reflection by Sharon Robinson on her own life and then is followed by speeches, columns, and writings extolling the values of other role models. Some of the selections are from Jackie Robinson's autobiography; others include Carl Rowan's piece on the courage of the "Kentucky colonel," Pee Wee Reese; Brian Lanker on Oprah Winfrey; Bob Greene on Michael Jordan; and Christopher Reeve writing about himself. While the audience seems to be young people, at times the context seems more for adults. Marian Wright Edelman's essay on parents as mentors will not have wide appeal to young people. The book is full of warm duotone photographs, seemingly taken from the family picture album. Unfortunately, they are often hazy or lacking in contrast. However, the book does remind readers that there is still much to learn from Jackie Robinson, and it would be of value in ethics classes as well as to teachers interested in presenting materials on role models.

Edith Ching, St. Albans School, Mt. St. Alban, Washington, DC

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; 1ST edition (May 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0439237645
• ISBN-13: 978-0439237642
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.7 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,632,059 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sharon Robinson is an author and educational consultant for Major League Baseball (MLB). She has written four books about her father, including most recently Jackie's Gift: A true Story of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Jackie Robinson with illustrator E.B. Lewis (Viking, 2010), Testing the Ice: A true story of Jackie Robinson with illustrator, Kadir Nelson (Scholastic, 2009). She has also written two middle-grade novels. In her work with MLB, Ms Robinson directs the national character education program: Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life. The program is in it's 15th year and has reached over 19 million children. Prior to joining Major League Baseball, Sharon had a twenty-year career as a nurse-midwife. She taught in such prestigious universities as: Columbia, Howard, Georgetown, and Yale. Ms. Robinson holds a BS from Howard University and MS from Columbia University as well as several honorary doctorates. Sharon Robinson lives in New York City and Apollo Beach, Florida. Learn more about Sharon and her books at www.sharonrobinsonink.com.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I seldom read a book in one sitting, ..., July 13, 2001

By 

John C. Haffner (ZIONSVILLE, IN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jackie's Nine : Jackie Robinson's Values to Live by (Hardcover)

but I also seldom read a book this good. With chapters on Courage, Determination, Teamwork, Persistence, Integrity, Citizenship, Justice, Commitment and Excellence, this book can be read in one sitting or by the chapter (as each is an individual story). Some of the writing is Sharon's and some of it is Jackie's. Others contribute, including Roger Kahn, Christopher Reeve & Jackie's wife, Rachel. Baseball fans will enjoy stories detailing Jackie's initial meeting with Branch Rickey, stealing home in the World Series and his relationship PeeWee Reese. This is a great book to read with your children or to your children.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Must-Read for Kids and Adults to Read with their Kids, May 2, 2001

By 

R. L. Marquis (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jackie's Nine : Jackie Robinson's Values to Live by (Hardcover)

In a thoughtful, sincere, approachable tone, Sharon Robinson offers young adults wonderful examples of character-building values based on nine by which her father lived his life in baseball, business, civil rights and at home. She has compiled this anthology of writings based on her own stories, her father's writings, and also writings by and about other notable individuals who she feels also embody Jackie Robinson's values. For any young adult looking for guidelines by which to model good behavior and for any parent looking for another means of imparting values on their children, this book is a welcomed addition to the family library. I would give it to any young adult I know.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Strong book for Character Education, January 19, 2009

By 

Joel Katte "Author of MILWAUKEE BREWERS IQ tr... (Home of the Milwaukee Brewers) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jackie's Nine: Jackie Robinson's Values to Live By (Paperback)

I have used this book for high school, middle school, and elementary school students. Jackie Robinson's daughter Sharon emphasizes character traits that we hope our children learn to embody. The book is a quick, easy to read packed with powerful images of Jackie, his family, and important historical figures like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. For $4.99, you cannot find a better value for your dollar. Personally, I pull it out every now and then to review some of the strong characteristics we can all strive to maintain.