Thank You, Jackie Robinson [Paperback]

Barbara Cohen (Author), John Steptoe (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 24, 1997 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

After Sam's father died, he became so wrapped up in the Brooklyn Dodgers that he could describe every game they'd played in the past four years. Nobody was very interested, until Sam met Davy. They came from different races, religions, and generations. But it didn't take long before they had a friendship that went well beyond baseball.

Editorial Reviews

From Scientific American

Cohen's characters have unusual depth and her story succeeds as a warm, understanding consideration of friendship and, finally, death.

From The New Yorker

Not just another sports story.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 128 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins (April 24, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0688152937
• ISBN-13: 978-0688152932
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.4 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,825 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Baseball
  • #76 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > General

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a teacher's perspective, March 19, 2006

By 

V. D. "jvandagr" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thank You, Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

You will miss out on a great read if you think this story is just about baseball. This is a compelling novel about an interracial friendship between a young Jewish boy and an older African American man. They find their common interest in a love for Jackie Robinson and the Brooklyn Dodgers. The story takes place in the 50's and the author, in subtle ways, shows the reader how things are dfferent for the African Americans in the U.S. at this time. Their friendship is believable and the story touching (I choke up every time I read it aloud). Although kids who enjoy sports will certainly appreciate the details, all kids will enjoy the message of friendship beyond racial barriers. I highly recommend this for every 4th-6th grader.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Filled with great memories, March 5, 1999

By 

Ronald Margulis "ramcommunications" (Cranford, NJ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thank You, Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

I grew up living across the street from Barbara Cohen, and she gave me a copy of Thank You, Jackie Robinson when it was first published. I recently found it again and quickly re-read the book. It is still a great story! Mrs. Cohen was always an inspiration to me, and now, as a writer myself, I have think the inscription she put in the front of my copy of this book was somewhat prophetic. She wrote, "I think [Sam] is a lot like you. He thinks a lot and understands more than he's willing to tell". My family and I all miss her.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Was Great, April 29, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Thank You, Jackie Robinson (Paperback)

I read Thank You, Jackie Robinson for a book report.This book was a really good book for a baseball fan, or just a sports fan.
This book not only talked about baseball but, it also had a great meaning. This book made me feel really great and happy when I read it. At one point in the book it was a bit sad but, I counld't stop reading it. The author, Barbara Cohen, wrote this book very well.She must haved loved writing this book because I really enjoyed reading it.Even if you don't like baseball or sports I still recomend this book.