Teammates

by Peter Golenbock, Paul Bacon (Illustrator)

This is the moving story of how Jackie Robinson became the first black player on a Major League baseball team when he joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s, and how on a fateful day in Cincinnati, Pee Wee Reese took a stand and declared Jackie his teammate. Illustrated with a blend of historic photographs and eloquent watercolors by Paul Bacon.

Genres: Sports, Picture Books, Biography, Nonfiction, Baseball, History, African American

32 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1990

About the author

Golenbock grew up in Stamford, Connecticut, and in 1963 graduated St. Luke's School in New Canaan, Connecticut. His heroes were Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford. One day in the local library he discovered the book, The New York Yankees: An Informal History by Frank Graham ( G.P. Putnam's Sons, 1943) and it made a strong impression on him.''

Golenbock graduated from Dartmouth College in 1967 and the New York University School of Law in 1970.

He was a radio sports talk show host in 1980 on station WOR in New York City. He was the color broadcaster for the St. Petersburg Pelicans of the Senior Professional Baseball League in 1989-90 and has been a frequent guest on many of the top television and radio talk shows including "Biography on A&E," the "Fifty Greatest Athletes and the Dynasties on ESPN," "Good Morning America," "Larry King Live," "ESPN Classic," and the YES network.

Golenbock lives in St. Petersburg, Florida with his two basset hounds, Doris and Fred.

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My tribute to the 100th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s birth continues, this time with a touching picture book by acclaimed nonfiction writer Peter Golonbock. Golonbock’s purpose here is to expose children to Robinson’s role in history. He simplified the integration of baseball into black and white, right and wrong. The book comes to a climax during a game a in Cincinnati against the Reds, a city close to the Jim Crow south. Fans booed Robinson for showing up to the game simply because of his skin color. Teammate and Dodgers team captain Pee Wee Reese may or may not have put his arm around Robinson’s shoulder before the game started in a moment of solidarity. This moment has been passed down as baseball lore for generations but is widely known as factually accurate. In embracing Robinson, Reese, a southerner, is telling his peers that Jackie Robinson is his teammate and he is here to stay. Golonbock has done a wonderful job of relating this historic events to school children in what should be a poignant teaching tool in elementary classrooms.

4 stars

[Luisa Knight · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, simple introduction for children about segregation and how one man's honorable actions helped bring change.

Ages: 5 - 9

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[Bobby W · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved it so much ;)

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the true story of Jackie Robinson's road to baseball and a friendship with Pee Wee Reese. When baseball was not accepting black player Jackie Robinson, his teammate Pee Wee Reese stood up for him.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teammates by Peter Golenbock is great book about Jackie Robinson. This book is about a game against the Cincinnati Reds. Throughout the book it talks about the racial tensions during this time. During the game fans began to boo Jackie Robinson because of his skin color. His teammate Pee Wee Reese put his arm around Jackie to show that he is proud to be his teammate and friend. This game actually did happen and the events of the game did occur which makes it even more important. This would be a great book to have in the classroom. It is a great idea to have sports books in the classroom for students that enjoy sports. I would use this book two ways. I would use it to teach social studies and the racial tensions and its effects on sports. I would also use to show my students that even though we all look different we can still be friends and we must stick up for them.

[Shay · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book, mainly because of sports. Also the racial tension involved. This book is all about Jackie Robinson and his life as a black man plyaing baseball in a "white man's league." You can imagine how many obstacles Jackie had to overcome. This book shows that not every person in that time period were against equal treatment, but a lot were. Shows how two teammates worked against the odds to prove what really matters. This illustrations are very detailed and nice. Especially of the team and Jackie. The colors are not as bright but it’s fits the time zone. I think this will be great for children because so many lessons can come from it. Slavery, oppression, and racism. I would recommend for ages 8-12.

[Emily]

Teammates gives a brief synopsis of Jackie Robinson's experience on Brooklyn Dodgers team as well as when Pee Wee Reese's stood up for him. I could see this book being read at any upper grade in elementary school when discussing the Civil Rights Movement. This book could also open up further and deeper conversations than what this book touches on. This book does give an overview of a lot of things, but I do love the message of this book, though: how to be a great teammate. Or even, what does it mean to be a great teammate? How could the teammates supported Robinson more? I could see this book being a catalyst for conversation. This could especially be a good tool if there are certain history/baseball fans in the class.

[Jackie Devaney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teammates" by Peter Golenback tells the true story of Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese, two baseball players who overcame racial discrimination to become close friends and teammates on the Brooklyn Dodgers. This book can help to teach children about the importance of acceptance, respect, and friendship. The book tells the story of two players who came from different backgrounds but were able to overcome their differences and work together as a team. It can help to teach children about the negative effects of discrimination and the positive impact of inclusion and teamwork. This book is informational and discusses the topics of racism and segregation. Students can connect to the character and understand the emotional impacts of our history.

[Sydney Roach · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teammates is about the unlikely friendship that develops between Jackie Robinson and Pee Wee Reese during the 1940s. Robinson was the first black athlete to play in the Major Leagues for the Dodgers. Segregation laws did not exist during this time, and Robinson was verbally, physically, and emotionally abused as a result. Pee Wee Reese was the first white athlete to accept Robinson for his talent and not his skin color. I thought this book did an excellent job making the reader feel the sorrow that black athletes endured. I would incorporate this book in the classroom for a lesson on friendship.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book serves as an introduction to how Pee Wee Reese stood up for Jackie Robinson as he was the first to integrate into the major leagues. I wanted SO MUCH MORE from this story. What happened after he stood up? Where are the quotes from Robinson's POV? How long did it take before major leagues were fully integrated? I almost wanted to only rate this 3 stars because so much of the story is left untold.

[Maddie Gerber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked this book out because I like to watch baseball and I have previous knowledge of Jackie Robinson. This book goes back to 1940's and talks about segregation between the two leagues and how each got treated differently. My students would learn that anything is possible and look at the world they live in compared to than. I would love to have this book in my classroom because I like that it teaches history and segregation based on color.

[Sunni Berbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good picture book about Jackie Robinson and his impact in baseball as well as helping in movement towards equal rights for blacks. Shares some of his experiences and trials and the prejudice he faces. During a game, Robinson is being yelled at by the crowd and PeeWee goes over to Robinson and embraces him. Good book to have discussion about solidarity and justice and fairness. And being aware of how we treat others.

[Hayley Jacobs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Biography
Unique Feature: One feature I loved about this book is the combination of watercolor illustrations paired with authentic photographs of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson, and Pee Wee Reese.
Grade(s): 3-5 I would highly recommend using this book as a read-aloud for younger elementary as well.
Date Completed: 2/21/18

[Nicole Lowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book gives a great insight into the racial prejudice that grew with and around baseball. The highlight on prominent Black and white baseball players was appreciated because these could be used for a biography project in a social studies unit. The illustrations were absolutely gorgeous as well.

[Jessie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Starts from a broad view of segregation and segregated baseball in the US, and then zooms in on Jackie Robinson's story and a teammate, PeeWee Reese, supporting him.

The arm-around-the-shoulders bit is a pretty widely told story, and we're not actually sure it's true, or if something like it is true (which it probably is?), when it occurred. And there really aren't endnotes here, so that's not mentioned at all.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely. It is possible for ordinary people to make a difference towards peace and justice, to be a hero, and Reese deserves to be known almost as much as Robinson does. Oh, and let's not forget Branch Rickey, either, he gets hero points.

Includes both art and photos, history before Rickey's decision, but no back matter.

[Sydney Nikitas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genre: Biography
Unique Feature: Illustrator Paul Bacon employs a number of different mediums as illustrations to give the topic of racial segregation legitimacy, while still keeping it age appropriate with the use of watercolor portraits / pictures as well.
Appropriate Grade(s): 2nd-5th

[Laysha Daulton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall a good book, but it left me wanting way more. They briefly touched based over segregation and what it meant to be an African American in the major leagues. It’s a story of Jackie Robinson and how he got started in the major leagues.

[Tnb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting little informational picture book for young readers. Tons of questions they can ask and I definitely need to read a bit more because I have no clue how Jackie R. managed on the road.

[Emily Snow · Rating 5 out of 5]

For someone like me who is a fan of baseball, I thought that this was a really good book. My favorite part was that it wasn't just illustrations in the book, but there were photographs incorporated as well. I think this would be a good book to promote Civil Rights in my classroom

[Kelley Dixon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a remarkable story about Jackie Robinson and the courage he had to change the game of baseball and change the world because of it! I got emotional reading this powerful story, it is one that should be shared with everyone. So much courage and perseverence in this historical perspective.

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well illustrated with drawings and photographs, along with a well-written text about the friendship between teammates Jackie Robinson and "Pee Wee" Reese with a positive message of standing up for a teammate in the face of adversity.

[Adrianna Kluge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is all about Jackie Robinson and his baseball career. Jackie creates a friendship with a teammate, PeeWee Reese, who helps Jackie stand up for himself when he was getting talked down to when he chose to join the Dodgers. I rated this book 5 stars because it will show students to do the right thing no matter if they will get made fun of for it. This also shows a true friendship between PeeWee and Jackie.

[Jonathan nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this book it is a part of history!

[Steve Ongley]

Non Fiction - Biography - History

[Amanda Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an awesome book. A lot like the movie "42" about Jackie Robinson. It's a great book to teach about segregation and the shift to equality.

[Kama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Biographical Nonfiction
Grade level: 2-3

I have always loved Jackie Robinson and his story, I like this book focuses not only on Him but also on Peewee. This book would be perfect for showing diversity to students. I think is really important for kids to see people who do not look alike being supportive each other, especially during that time period.

[Cheyanne Schlalos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this children’s version of the Jackie Robinson story! Would be a fun and enjoyable read aloud for younger grades!

[Maggie]

This book teaches children to stand up for their friends and what they believe is right! It is also great to have in the classroom for a history unit or if you have big sports fans in your class.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this every year during my baseball unit. I had to shorten my baseball study this year to 5 books and this was one of the five to make the cut. Recommended.

Quarantine 2020 book.