Children's Literature

Here, browse our expanding bibliography of children's literature featuring black baseball. Click on each title to be directed to a purchase link.

**Many thanks to Leslie Heaphy for her invaluable bibliography.**

Aaron, Henry “Hank”

Golenbock, Peter. Hank Aaron: Brave in Every Way. Gulliver Books, 2001. Grades 1-3.

Kappes, Serena. Hank Aaron. Lerner Publications, 2005. Ages 8-12.

Morrison, Jessica. Hank Aaron: Home Run Hero. Crabtree, 2011. Grades 5-8.

Spencer, Lauren. Hank Aaron. Rosen Publishing Group, 2002. Ages 9-12.

Stanton, Tom. Hank Aaron and the Home Run that Changed America. Harper, 2005. Grades 10-12

Sweet, Kimberly. Hank Aaron: The Life of the Homerun King. New South Books 2001. Ages 9-12.

Tackach, James. Hank Aaron. Chelsea House Publications, 1991. Ages 9-12.

Tavares. Matt. Henry Aaron’s Dream. Candlewick Press, 2015. Ages 8-12.

Bell, James Thomas “Cool Papa”

McCormack, Shaun. Cool Papa Bell. Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. Ages 6-12.

Campanella, Roy

Adler, David A. Campy: The Story of Roy Campanella. Viking Juvenile Books, 2007. Ages 4-8.

Greene, Carol. Roy Campanella: Major League Champion. Children’s Press, 1994. Ages 4-8.

Tackach, James. Roy Campanella. Chelsea House Publications, 1995. Ages 9-12.

Doby, Larry

Crowe, Chris. Just as Good: How Larry Doby Changed America’s Game. Candlewick, 2012. Ages 6 and up.

sTONE, TONI

Alexander, Kwame. Black Star (features a character based on Toni Stone). Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Ages 10 and up.

Swanson, Karen. Swinging into History: Big League Baseball's First Woman Player. Astra Books, 2024. Ages 7 and up.

Fiction General

Bruns, Roger A. Negro Leagues Baseball. Greenwood Publishing, 2012. YA

Burgan, Michael. The Negro Leagues. Compass Point Books, 2008. Ages 9 -12.

Cochran, Thomas. Uncle Drew and the Bat Dodger. Pelican, 2016. Grades 3-7.

Collins, Ace and John Hillman. Blackball Superstars: Legendary Players of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Avisson Press Inc., 1999. YA.

Cooper, Michael. Playing America’s Game. Lodestar Books, 1993. Ages 9-12.

Darnell, Tim. The South’s Jackie Robinson. CreateSpeace Publishing, 2015. Ages 12 and up.

Doeden, Matt. The Negro Leagues: Celebrating Baseball’s Unsung Heroes. Millbrook Press, 2017. YA.

Driscoll, Laura. Tracy Mitchell, illustrator. Negro Leagues: All-Black Baseball. Grosset and Dunlap, 2002. Ages 4-8.

Feinstein, Stephen. The 1940s: From World War II to Jackie Robinson. Rev. Ed. Enslow Publishers, 2006. Grades 5-8.

Fremon, David K. The Negro Baseball Leagues. New Discovery Books. 1994. Ages 9-12.

Freedmon, Lew. African American Pioneer of Baseball: An Encyclopedia. Greenwood Press, 2007. YA.

Green, Michelle Y. Kadir Nelson, Illustrator. A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson. Puffin, 2004. Ages 9-12.

Hoblin, Paul. Great Hitters of the Negro Leagues. Sportszone, 2012. YA.

---. Great Pitchers of the Negro Leagues. Sportszone, 2012. YA.

Huckstep, Joan. White Ball-Black Ball, A Brief History of Negro League Baseball. Kindle Edition, 2016.

Margolies, Jacob and Robert Peterson. The Negro Leagues: The Story of Black Baseball. Franklin Watts, 1993. YA.

McKissack, Pat and Fredrick McKissack. Black Diamond: The Story of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Scholastic, 1995, reissue. Ages 9-12.

Morelli, Jack. Heroes of the Negro Leagues. Abrams, 2007.

Nelson, Kadir. We are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Hyperion Books, 2008. Juvenile Audience.

O’Neal, Dick. Dreaming of the Majors, Living in the Bush: A Life’s Journey through the Negro League with his Guardian Angel. Pleasant Word, 2009. YA.

Peters, Gregory N. The Negro Leagues. Trailblazers, 2014. Ages 10-13.

Riley, James A. The Negro Leagues. Chelsea House Publications, 1997. Ages 9-12.

Ritter, Lawrence. Richard Merkin, Illustrator. Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the Negro Baseball Leagues. Harper Collins, 1995. Ages 9-12.

Smolka, Bo. Negro Leagues Integration Era. Sportszone, 2012. YA.

----. The Story of the Negro Leagues. Sportszone, 2012. YA.

Span, Mark. Great Talents: The Story of Negro League Baseball. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers, 1994.

Steele, Michael Anthony Steele. Forgotten Heroes. Big Red Chair Books, 1988. Ages 9 and up.

Ward, Geoffrey, Ken Burns and Jim O’Connor. Shadow Ball: The History of the Negro Leagues. Knopf, 1994. YA.

Weatherford, Carole Boston. A Negro Leagues Scrapbook. Boyds Mills Press, 2005. Ages 4-8.

Winter, Jonah. Fair Ball!: 14 great Stars from Baseball’s Negro Leagues. Scholastic Reprint 2002. Ages 4-8.

Wukovits, John F. Life in the Negro Baseball Leagues. Lucent Books, 2005. YA.

Gibson, josh

Golus, Carrie. Josh Gibson. Twenty-First Century Books, 2011. E-book. Grades 5-8.

Holway, John. Josh Gibson, Black Americans of Achievement. Chelsea House Publications, 1995. Ages 9-12.

Johnson, Angela. Beth Peck, Illustrator. Just Like Josh Gibson. Aladdin Rept, 2007. Ages 4-8.

Mellage, Nanette. Coming Home: A Story of Josh Gibson, Baseball’s Greatest Homerun Hitter. Sagebrush, 2002. Ages 9-12.

Twemlow, Nick. Josh Gibson. Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. Ages 6-12.

irvin, monte

Haegele, Katie. Monte Irvin. Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. Ages 6-12. 2011.

johnson, judy

Billus, Kathleen. Judy Johnson. Rosen Publishing Group, 2001. Ages 6-12.

leondard, buck

Payment, Simone. Buck Leonard. Rosen Publishing Group, 2002. Ages 6-12.

mays, willie

Burkhardt, Mitchell. Willie Mays. Melrose Square Publisher, 1992. YA.

Cooper, Floyd. Willie and the All-Stars. Philomel Books, 2008. Primary school.

Doeden, Matt. Willie Mays. Twenty-First Century Books, 2011. Grades 5-8.

Grabowksi, John. Willie Mays. Chelsea House Publications, 1990. Ages 9-12.

McCormack, Shaun. Willie Mays. Rosen Central Publishers, 2002. Grades 3-8.

Winter, Jonah and Terry Widener. You Never Heard of Willie Mays?! Dragonfly Books, 2016. Ages 4-8.

o'neil, buck

Gall, Jeff and Micah Gall. Buck O’Neil: Basball’s Ambassador. Truman State UP, 2016. Ages 9-12.

Paige, Satchel

Adler, David A. Satchel Paige: Don’t Look Back. Harcourt Children’s Books, 2007. Ages 4-8.

Cline-Ransome, Lisa. James E. Ransome, Illustrator. Satchel Paige. Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing, 2000. Ages 4-8.

Macht, Norman. Satchel Paige. Chelsea House Publications, 1991. Ages 9-12.

McKissack, Pat and Fredrick McKissack. Satchel Paige: The Best Arm in Baseball. Enslow Publishers, 2002. Ages 4-8.

Rubin, Robert. Satchel Paige—All Time Baseball Great. Putnam Pub Group Library 1974. YA.

Schmidt, Julie. Satchel Paige. Rosen Central, 2002. Ages 9-12.

Shirley, David. Satchel Paige!: Baseball Great. Chelsea House Publications, 1992. YA.

Skead, Rob. Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige. Carolrhoda Books, 2013. Ages 6-9.

Standiford, Les. Opening Day Or The Return of Satchel Paige. LiveReads, 2001. Juvenile.

robinson, jackie

Adler, David A. Robert Casilla, Illustrator. A Picture Book of Jackie Robinson. Holiday House, 1997. Ages 4-8.

Amoroso, Cynthia. Jackie Robinson. Child’s World, 2010. Grades K-3.

Berne, Emma Carlson. What’s Your Story, Jackie Robinson? Lerner Publications, 2015. Ages 8-12.

Brandt, Keith, Marcy Ramsey, Illustrator. Jackie Robinson: A Life of Courage. Troll Communications, 1991. Ages 4-8.

Brown, Jonathan. Jackie Robinson: Gente Que Hay Que Conocer. Weekly Reader, 2004. Ages 7 and up.

Coombs, Karen Mueller. Jackie Robinson: Baseball’s Civil Rights Legend. Enslow Publishers, 1997. Ages 11 and up.

Darraj, Susan Muaddi. Jackie Robinson. Checkmark Books, 2008. Ages 12 and up.

Davidson, Margaret. The Story of Jackie Robinson: The Bravest Man in Baseball. Yearling, 1987. Ages 9-12.

De Angelis, Gina. Jackie Robinson, Overcoming Adversity. Chelsea House Publications, 2000. Ages 11 and up.

Denenberg, Barry. Stealing Home: The Story of Jackie Robinson. Scholastic Paperbacks, 1990. Ages 9-12.

Dunn, Herb. Meryl Henderson, Illustrator. Jackie Robinson: Young Sports Trailblazer. Aladdin Paperbacks, 1999. Ages 4-8.

Editors of Time for Kids. Time for Kids: Jackie Robinson, Strong Inside and Out. Harper Collins, 2005. Ages 9-12.

Elish, Dan. Jackie Robinson. Children’s Press, 2008. Ages 9-12.

Farrell, Edward. Dennis Stuart, Illustrator. Young Jackie Robinson: Baseball Hero. Troll Communications, 1992. Ages 4-8.

Feinstein, Stephen. Read about Jackie Robinson. Enslow Publishers, 2005. Ages 4-8.

Ford, Carin. Jackie Robinson: All I Ask is that You Respect Me as a Human Being. Enslow Publishers, 2005. YA.

----. Jackie Robinson: Hero of Baseball. Enslow Publishers, 2006. Ages 9-12.

Frost, Helen. Let’s Meet Jackie Robinson. Chelsea Clubhouse Books, 2004. Ages 4-8.

Frystak, Timothy. Jackie Robinson: with Profiles of Satchel Paige and Branch Rickey. World Book, 2007.

Glaser, Jason. Bob Lentz, Illustrator. Jackie Robinson: Baseball’s Great Pioneer. Capstone Press, 2005. Ages 9-12. (Spanish version as well).

Golenbeck, Peter. Teammates. Voyager Books, 1992. Ages 9-12.

Gomez, Rebecca. Jackie Robinson. Buddy Books, 2003. Ages 9-12.

Grabowski, John and Jim Murray. Jackie Robinson. Chelsea House Publications, 1990. Ages 9 and up.

Greene, Carol. Jackie Robinson: Baseball’s First Black Major Leaguer. Children’s Press, 1990. Ages 4-8.

Gregory, Josh. Jackie Robinson. Children’s Press, 2015. Ages 6-12.

Grossinger, Tania and Charles George Esperanza. Jackie and Me: A Very Special Friendship. Sky Pony Press. Ages 3-6.

Gutman, Dan. Jackie and Me. HarperTrophy, 2000. Ages 9-12.

Gutman, Dan and Elaine Garvin. Jackie Robinson and the Big Game. Simon Spotlight, 2006. Ages 5-7.

Hanft, Joshua and Pablo Marcos. Jackie Robinson/Heroes of America. Baronet Books, 1995. YA.

Hansen, Grace. Jackie Robinson. Abdo Kids, 2015. Ages 4-8.

Herman, Gail. Who Was Jackie Robinson? Grosset and Dunlap, 2011. Grades 3-6.

Knox, Barbara. Jackie Robinson: A Photo-Illustrated Biography. Bridestone Books, 2003. Grades 3-6.

Johnson, Spencer. The Value of Courage: The Story of Jackie Robinson. Value Communications, 1977.

Linge, Mary Kay. Jackie Robinson: A Biography. Greenwood Press, 2007. YA.

Madden, Jonathan. Jackie Robinson-A Short Biography for Kids. Shamrock Eden Publishing, 2011. Ages 6 and up.

Meltzer, Brad and Christopher Eliopoulos. I Am Jackie Robinson. Dial, 2015. Ages 5-8.

Michel, Moise. Kwame and his Great Adventures: Kwame Meets Jackie Robinson. Page Publishing, 2017. Ages 6-9.

O’Connor, Jim. Jackie Robinson and the Story of All-Black Baseball. Random House Books for Young Readers, 1989. Ages 4-8.

O'Hern, Kerri and Lucia Raatma. Jackie Robinson. Gareth Stevens Publishing, 2005. Ages 9-12.

Olson, Nathan, et al. Jackie Robinson: Gran Pionero del Beisbol. Capstone Press, 2007. Ages 8 and up.

Osborne, Mary Pope. A Big Day for Baseball (Magic Treehouse Series). Random House Books for Young Readers, 2017. Ages 6-9.

----. Baseball Fact Tracker (Companion to A Big Day for Baseball). Random House Books for Young Readers, 2017. Age 7-10.

Pederson, Charles. Jackie Robinson: Baseball Great and Civil Rights Activist. Abdo Publishing Company, 2009. Ages 12 and up.

Robinson, Sharon with Kadir Nelson. Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson. Scholastic Books, 2010. Ages 7-10.

Rosenburg, Aaron. 42: The Jackie Robinson Story, the Movie Novel. Scholastic, 2013.

Rudeen, Kenneth. Jackie Robinson. Harper Trophy, 1996. Ages 9-12.

Sabin, Francene. Michael Sheehan, Illustrator. Jackie Robinson. Troll Associates, 1985. Ages 4-8.

Santella, Andrew. Jackie Robinson Breaks the Color Line. Children’s Press, 1996. YA.

Schraff, Anne E. Jackie Robinson-Biographies of the 20th Century. Saddleback Educational Publishing, 2008. Ages 10 and up.

Scott, Richard. Jackie Robinson. Chelsea House Publications, 1987. YA.

Slade, Suzanne and Thomas Spence. Jackie Robinson: Hero and Athlete. Nonfiction Picture Books, 2008. Ages 5-9.

Stout, Glenn and Matt Christopher. Jackie Robinson: Legends in Sports. Little, Brown, 2009. Ages 8 and up.

Teitelbaum, Michael. Jackie Robinson: Champion for Equality. Sterling Publishing Co., Inc., 2010. Ages 9-12.

Walker, Sally. Rodney S. Pate, Illustrator. Jackie Robinson. Ediciones Lerner, 2005. Ages 4-8.

Weidhorn, Manfred. Jackie Robinson. Atheneum Books, 1993. Grades 5-12.

Williams, Mack C. Jackie Robinson and the Negro Leagues. CreateSpace Publishing, 2015. Ages 6-12.

Woodworth, Deborah. Determination: The Story of Jackie Robinson. Child’s World Inc., 1998. Ages 9-12.

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