Louis Sockalexis: Native American Baseball Pioneer

Description:

A biography of Louis Sockalexis, Penobscot Indian and the first Native American to play professional baseball, focusing on his formative years and culminating in an historic game at New York's Polo Grounds in 1897.

Brief description:

Bill Wise is an avid baseball fan, first heard about William Hoy when he was a child. Years later, after further research, Wise was inspired to bring Hoy's remarkable story to young readers. Wise and his family live in Gorham, Maine.

Review Quotes:

"Wise conveys the tension and drama of the Spiders-Giants game. . . Balancing close-range portraits of the player and depictions of on-the-diamond action, Farnsworth's light-infused oil paintings impart the emotional tenor and the triumph of Louis's early years and regrettably brief major league career." -- Publishers Weekly

"Wise and Farnsworth collaborate to great effect in rendering this story both informative and poignant. The color-drenched paintings do an excellent job of bringing this period to life and capturing the intense emotion of the ballpark drama. This finely crafted look at a little-known sports pioneer should intrigue a wide audience of readers." -- School Library Journal

"Farnsworth imparts a strong sense of character and period by posing his slender, dignified, smooth-skinned athlete in old-time uniforms against hazy historical settings." -- Kirkus Reviews

"There are a number of books about the difficulties African American baseball players faced in their efforts to participate in America's pastime. Here's the story of a Native American, who also dealt with prejudice in the early days of the game. . . the story of the Penobscot boy who fell in love with baseball and endured the jeers and taunts of crowds and teammates is illustrated powerfully by Farnsworth." -- Booklist

"Sockalexis encountered racial taunts, injury and the disapproval of his father to become one of the best players - and certainly one of the greatest Native players - in baseball history. . . This is a wonderful scripted narrative of one of the early pioneers in Native American sports history, suitable for every boy and girl who dreams of diamond glory." -- Native Peoples Magazine

"A Penobscot Indian, Louis played briefly for the Cleveland Spiders in the late 1890s. Racism followed him wherever he competed, but he proved that he belonged in the sport not only with his bat and glove, but with his quiet dignity and courage. . . Bill Farnsworth's warm oil paintings shed light on the story. An inspiring tale, much like that of Jackie Robinson." -- Plain Dealer

Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education
Carter G. Woodson Award - National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Notable Books for a Global Society - International Literacy Association (ILA)