Jackie's 9

May 14, 2001
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 Markson'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.

June 1, 2001
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 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2001
Gr. 5-8. Under nine rubrics, from "Courage" and "Determination" to "Commitment" and "Excellence," Jackie Robinson's daughter brings together inspirational episodes from memoirs written by her parents and herself and writings by or about Christopher Reeve, Marion Wright Edelman, Oprah Winfrey, and other individuals frequently cast as role models. Among them is Sharon's recollection of Martin Luther King Jr.'s visit to the Robinson home and a look at her work as founder of a program that brings athletes into schools. There are glimpses of specific historical events, such as the experiences of one of the Little Rock Nine, but Robinson's real intent is to communicate a sense of each personality that readers can relate to their own lives. Running from one to seven pages in length, the passages are self-contained and interspersed with contemporary photographs. Without preaching or pushing an agenda, Robinson simply presents examples, with a minimum of explanatory commentary; the very indirectness of her approach may prompt a reexamination of personal goals and values. (Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2001, American Library Association.)