Campy: The Story of Roy Campanella (Hardcover)

by David A. Adler (Author), Gordon James (Illustrator) "The Los Angeles Coliseum was dark..." (more)
Key Phrases: Roy Campanella, African American, Branch Rickey (more...)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal
Grade 2–4—Adler crafts a portrait of an individual whose zeal for life enabled him to stay positive and productive even after a car crash left him a quadriplegic. Campy always loved baseball, signing with the Baltimore Elite Giants of the Negro Leagues when he was only 15. In 1945, Branch Rickey invited him to sign with the Brooklyn Dodgers. He became major league baseball's first African-American catcher in 1948, and won league MVP in 1951, 1953, and 1955. Left paralyzed in 1958, he regained some basic skills and eventually was able to become a baseball coach. Adler's account is lively and concise; though the author is clearly a fan, he manages to keep sentimentality at bay. James's oil paintings are a lovely complement to the story, adding detail and character. The book is an accessible introduction to this inspiring athlete's story.—Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA
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From Booklist
Roy Campanella, one of the greatest catchers in baseball history, was the second African American signed by Branch Rickey to play for the Brooklyn Dodgers,. He joined the team in 1948, one year after his teammate, Jackie Robinson, broke the color line. Adler, author of the Cam Jansen mystery series as well as numerous historical biographies for young readers, capably reprises Campy's on-field triumphs (three-time National League Most Valuable Player) and off-field tragedy (he was paralyzed in a car accident in 1958), while James delivers evocative illustrations in the soft-focus, pastel-heavy style that has become standard for baseball nostalgia. There is no shortage of picture books about the Brooklyn Dodgers, but Campy's inspirational life story, less well known among today's children than Robinson's, deserves to be heard, and baseball-loving baby-boomer grandparents, who came of age in the 1950s, will relish the chance to tell it. Bill Ott
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (March 15, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670060410
• ISBN-13: 978-0670060412
• Product Dimensions: 10.6 x 8.9 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #978,498 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Campy is a hero, January 8, 2008

By	Reader Views "www.readerviews.com" (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Reviewed by Matthew Feliciano (age 7) for Reader Views (1/08)

I really liked this book because it told a true story about Roy Campanella. I think the author did a very good job of telling this story. The author told interesting things about Roy Campanella and when I was reading the book I felt like I was living Campy's life right with him. The illustrations were not so good. I did not like the way they looked like paintings. The faces seemed "bubbly" and they looked funny.

In "Campy," we learn all about the baseball player Roy Campanella. He is a hero for many reasons. First, he did not let the color of his skin stop him from doing what he wanted to do. He was the best baseball player out there. He was very professional and polite to everyone and was a good person.

The second reason Campy is a hero is because when he had a car accident and couldn't move, he never gave up. He kept living his life and went on to teach baseball to others from his wheelchair.

In "Campy: The Story of Roy Campanella," Campy can teach everyone a lesson: the color of your skin does not matter. What matters is how you feel and how you act.