Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown illus. by Julie Paschkis
Beginning when Neruda was just a little boy with the given name Neftali. It shows the poet at different stages in his life in such a beautiful way that it's easy to get lost in his world.
Brown's text has a rhythm that would make any poet proud.
"Pablo loved the stones of Chile. He wrote about stones by waves onto the beach and stones polished by sand and salt."
Paschkis beautiful illustrations pop and adding more life to the story. I am a fan of Brown and Paschkis, so I was very happy to see how well their styles blend. Words in English and Spanish are sprinkled within the art. It's a goregous collaboration between artist and illustrator.
If there was greater back matter I would've loved this biography even more. An author's note and resources are included.
This is a great introduction to 26 heroes. A few were well known like Corrie Ten Boom and Josephine Baker. Many hid Jews. Some women were captured and killed. All did their part to stop Hitler's reign. The text is fact filled and engaging. I was easily drawn the stories of these brave women. Well sited with extensive notes and a bibliography in the back. After each women story, a learn more box is included.
If you've visited my blog before, you know I love baseball. This is the story of Effa Manley the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Vernick first introduces us to a young Effa Brooks in first grade. Effa loved playing baseball with her brothers but wasn't allowed because she was a girl and was lighter in skin tone. In 1932 after finishing high school Effa moves from Philadelphia to New York City.
Upset by the unfair treatment of Blacks. Effa gets involved to make a difference. White store owners were refusing to hire Black workers.
"She organized the Citizens League for Fair Play, a group of community leaders. They urged Harlem's largest department store to hire black salesclerks. The owner said no. Nobody believed a group of Black people could change a White bussinessman's mind, but the league fought anyway. For weeks they marched in the street. They convinced their neighbors to shop elsewhere. The store lost money. But still no Black salesclerks. The league kept marching. Finally they won. Newspapers reported the boycotts success."
In 1935 Effa marries Abe Manley. The couple started the Brooklyn Eagles, in the newly formed Negro National League. Effa played a vital roll in the teams sucess, even after they moved to New Jersey in 1936. She always fought for the rights of her players. In 1970, decades after the end of the Negro Leagues, Effa Manley started a letter writing campaign to get some Baseball Hall of Fame to induct some of the best Negro League players.
When I finished this biography, (which I loved, in case that's not obvious) my first thought was why, am I just know hearing about Effa Manley. As much as I love baseball and its history, Effa Manley is someone who I should know. And now I do.
This was a serious trifecta for me. 1. A woman who loved baseball. 2. a woman who refused to be stop because of her gender or race 3. It bridges the gap between the Negro Leagues and Majors.
Two of the players on the Eagles last team were Monte Irvin and Larry Doby. * Vernick also seamlessly includes 1946 Negro League world series between, the Newwark Eagles and the Kansas City Monarchs. Vernick makes the reader feel the excitement of that last game in the series.
Don Tate's colors and style have a very open feel , making them a perfect fit for this story. Tate paid close attention to details from the clothes to the model of the bus the team used. Towards the end there's a close up of Effa Manley that's simply beautiful.
When I read that in 2006 Effa Manley was the first woman ever to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, I got a little choked up. Thanks to Vernick and Tate, they did such a great job telling Effa Manley's stories. This is a must read for baseball fans of all ages.
*Larry Doby and Monte Irvin are some serious baseball names. When I came across them, I did a wow double take. Doby was the first Black player in the American League. Vernick mentions this. Monte Irvin played for the NY Giants along with Willie Mays. Irvin looked out for a young Willie Mays. This is probably more than you needed or wanted to know. Hopefully a few baseball fans will read and enjoy it
Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown illus. by Julie Paschkis
