Jackie Robinson first broke major league baseball's color barrier in 1947, but before him, hundreds of talented Negro League players prepared the way. This illustrated children's book tells the story of black baseball through the experiences of an average player. We Are the Ship doesn't present idealized snapshots of these barnstorming pioneers; author/illustrator Kadir Nelson offers vivid images of segregation, prejudice, economic hardship, and exhausting travel conditions. An unforgettable story that we should never forget.

Divided into chapters labeled "innings," Nelson's inspiring book is a riveting read that is sure to be a home run with both kids and adults.
—The Washington Post

The painter Kadir Nelson has illustrated several award-winning children's books, including some on black history. This is the first book he has both illustrated and written, and it's absolutely gorgeous. He uses the conversational, first-person voice of a fictional, anonymous player. It's a device that generally works well and allows him to include many of the great old tales of the Negro Leagues; he conveys the humor, showmanship and joy that were an integral part of the game, without soft-soaping how hard it all was…Nelson's visual narrative is nothing short of magnificent.
—The New York Times

"Nelson continues to top himself with each new book...Along with being absolutely riveted by the art, readers will come away with a good picture of the Negro Leaguers' distinctive style of play, as well as an idea of how their excellence challenged the racial attitudes of both their sport and their times."—Kirkus Reviews

"Easygoing, conversational storytelling is exactly what Kadir Nelson achieves in this pitch-perfect history of Negro League Baseball....His grand slam, though, is the art: Nelson's oil paintings have a steely dignity, and his from-the-ground perspectives make the players look larger than life."—The Horn Book

"The stories and artwork contained here are a tribute to the spirit of the Negro Leaguers who created much more than an also-ran and deserve a more prominent place on baseball's history shelves. For students and fans (and those even older than the suggested grade level), this is the book to accomplish just that."—Booklist

"Adopting the perspective and voice of an elderly ballplayer, [Nelson] offers a readable account that is infused with an air of nostalgic oral history....Nelson's brilliant, almost iconic paintings vividly complement his account.... An engaging tribute that should resonate with a wide audience and delight baseball fans of all ages."—School Library Journal

"Through text and artwork that pulses with life, Nelson has created a book that brings personality to the Negro Baseball League... One need not be a baseball fan to enjoy this book, because it's more than a sports story. It's a story of real people enduring more than many of us can imagine, playing a game they love."—Library Media Connection

"Negro baseball was fast! Flashy! Daring! . . ." Young listeners will agree after hearing this compelling, accessible history of the players who, when they were shut out of major league baseball, loved the game so much that they found a way to keep playing. Dion Graham's enthusiastic, welcoming narration is a perfect match for the text. He helps the cast of characters—Rube Foster, Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, James "Cool Papa" Bell—step right out of history and puts listeners with them in the dugout and on the bus traveling from game to game. A bonus CD includes an interactive slide-show gallery of Kadir Nelson's gorgeous, evocative illustrations so that listeners can put faces to all the names. J.M.D. © AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine