A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson

by Michelle Y. Green

"Peanut" Johnson's story is as old as the American promise of freedom, as new as tomorrow. This small volume is a huge work.

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction, Biography, Middle Grade, Baseball, Childrens, Juvenile

111 pages, Paperback

First published July 22, 2002

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author is a true baseball fan, and lives in Maryland where one day she happened to meet Mamie Johnson in a shop that sells merchandise representing the glorious history of the Negro Leagues. Mamie was one of three African American women who played professionally in the Negro Leagues. She was a pitcher with the Indianapolis Clowns, and amazing despite being only 5 feet 2.

The book is written in the voice of Mamie who tells her story from childhood through the time her short career from 1953-1955 when the Negro Leagues were on the way to folding. There are nice details of a few games where Mamie displays her strategy to win. She is an engaging woman who lived from a young age only to play baseball and succeeded against the odds of dual discrimination against women and African Americans.

This is a short book of just over 100 pages. While some writers will take a biography and inflate it with baseball lore and history, Green chose to write a book for young readers and stick to Mamie's story. I would have liked to know about Mamie, but this was an enjoyable and enlightening read. Mamie Johnson passed away in December, 2017.

[Ryan Mcdaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Strong Right Arm is the true story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who was one of only three women to ever play professional baseball. Mamie’s baseball career started out as a dream, which then inspired her to overcome any obstacles that came between her and playing in the majors. Her first chance to play with the boys came in elementary school when she played in the Police Athletic League (PAL). When she played baseball people couldn’t believe she was a girl and were impressed by her even when they thought she was a boy. After high school, Mamie pitched for the Indianapolis Clowns, which was a team in the Negro League. She got the nickname “Peanut” when she played in the Negro World Series because she was only 5’2” and 92 pounds.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in reading an inspiring story about courage, determination and overcoming obstacles. This is also a great book for anyone who likes baseball stories or who is interested in the history of baseball. People who like reading about American history would also like this book because it is based in the 1940’s and 1950’s and shows what it was like living in a time of segregation.
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson (Carter G Woodson Honor Book

[Bibliomama · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson and her dream of playing professional baseball. An inspiring story for kids, about confidence, determination, and hard work. The elements of racism and Jim Crow are handled honestly and accurately, but don’t overwhelm the basic story of a girl on a mission to prove that she can do something that others say she can’t.

After her three year career in the Negro Leagues, she earned a degree in nursing and worked for thirty years in that field. Sadly, she died just a month ago, at the age of 83.

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous!! Perfectly written and shows girls they can do anything. I need to find a copy for my classroom.

[Hannah Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for hopefully a good new curriculum 🤞🏻

[Katherine Ayers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this with my students so you better believe I am counting it toward my reading challenge lol. Didn’t really love it and I don’t think the kids did either 😅

[Marqual P.]

I thought that this book was a inspirational book.It was a sports book with a sad twist.

[James Fain · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book talking about discrimination and differences of barriers Mamie took in the book

[Marty Monforte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelle Y. Green's book "A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson" is a well written and well researched book about Johnson's life and career in baseball. Johnson was one of three African American women who played in the Negro leagues. Toni Stone and Connie Morgan were the other two women who played in the Negro leagues.

The major theme of the book is the importance of perseverance. Johnson was initially denied an opportunity to play baseball because of her skin color and gender, but she persevered and learned the game of baseball and eventually played in the negro leagues. In addition to perseverance, there are other themes that are addressed in the book. Themes such as courage; family; hard work; self confidence; teamwork and community are addressed in the book.

The book is written from the first person point of view, with Johnson speaking like it is her autobiography. Green wrote the book, but it is written as though it is Johnson's autobiography.

The setting is in Washington D.C. and Indianapolis, Indiana. Johnson grew up in Washington D.C. and she played baseball for the Indianapolis Clowns.

The overall mood of the book is hopeful and positive. The book has a positive and hopeful tone that teaches the reader the importance of perseverance and the need to have courage during difficult moments.

Green did a good job of writing about the influences on Johnson's life and career.

I would recommend this book for anyone who is interested in Johnson's inspirational life. This is also a good book for any young person to read independently. Additionally, a parent could read this book to one's son or daughter. Finally, I would recommend this book to any teacher who reads to his or her students during an interactive read aloud.

[Melanie Storie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 5th grade class and they loved it as did I. More Americans should know the Inspiring story of Mamie “Peanut” Johnson who was one of three women to play baseball with the men in the Negro Leagues. This book is full of delights- Satchel Paige taught her how to throw a curve ball. It is also filled with sobering information about what it was like to have two disadvantages (to be both black and female) in the days before Jim Crow came to an end. Mamie, however, uses every tool to her advantage: “They never saw me coming.” I cannot recommend this book enough for anyone who has a heart.

[Power Music · Rating 5 out of 5]

She may be small at 5’2”, but Mamie
“Peanut” Johnson is a powerhouse
when it comes to baseball, and keeping
her dream alive despite segregation
and discrimination in the 1940s and
1950s. At ten years old, she knows
that she has to play baseball no matter
what. And, she does. First in the
neighborhood, at school, and in the
sandlots; then for an all-white Police
League; and finally, with a professional
Negro Leagues team, the Indianapolis
Clowns. As the Negro Leagues begin to
disband, Mamie starts a new career as
a registered nurse, but never loses her
love of the game.

[Katy L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this to my fifth grade class to tie into our studies of Jackie Robinson and the integration of baseball. It was interesting for our purposes and helped us further understand what it was like to live during these decades in America, but I’m not sure my students would have enjoyed it as independent reading given that it’s more of a series of smaller events rather than one overarching storyline.

[Christina · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author did a fantastic job of ghostwriting for Mamie. I loved hearing Mamie's voice shine through.

At the same time, though the details person in me wanted more specifics. I often found myself confused by the timeline in conjunction with the photos. It would show a photo saying it was "circa x year" but then the main text wouldn't tell me what year those things were happening - at least, not very often.

Otherwise though, I liked learning the little-known story of one of three women to play professional baseball in a men's league.

[Darlena Glenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the best book I could have read over summer vacation! It had humor and colloquialisms. It was an interesting historical conveyance of a female National Negro League Baseball player who reminds me of the show, "Pitch." https://www.imdb.com/video/vi30493706.... I wouldn't be surprised if the people who developed that 2016 Fox series read this book too!

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Disclaimer: Mamie "Peanut" Johnson was a distant relative, though we never met her, of my husband and children. This is a quick read and seemed to hold the attention of my 9- and 7-year-old daughters well.

[Sara Carmona · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great example to use for talking about voice, as the narrator uses specific language and inflection to tell her story. It is also a good historical novel/ biography, with real pictures from Mamie's life. I would use it as a read aloud.

[Darci Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book covers a whole range of topics related to diversity, as it discusses African Americans in sports as well as women in sports. This is a chapter book and is about overcoming obstacles to work towards a dream. This could be a great book to have students read in small groups.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just started reading this book and I really like it because of how it feels. I think it’s a good book in general and I think that any age can read it. It’s about a girl that loves to play baseball but can’t because well she’s a girl.

[Taylor Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cool story about a hero I wouldn’t have learned about otherwise. I wish the author would have included some more details (years or how Mamie dealt with some troubles), but the book is meant for kids, so I get it. Definitely inspired some personal research.

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great biography of one of the three black women to play professional baseball in the Negro leagues - The Indianapolis Clowns. The writing is as wonderful as the story itself. The is a lot of hope, dreams, determination wrapped up in a small package in this book.

[Justin Barrett]

good book

[Corbyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is a boring and not what I thought it was going to be about

[Angelica · Rating 5 out of 5]

nooooo

[Kaylynn Johnsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book, as will any baseball lover. Mamie "Peanut" Johnson is an inspiration. Michelle Green has shared a wonderful bit of history with us.

[Logan Maluegge · Rating 3 out of 5]

it is a very insightful and eye-opening book about her journey.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biography. Overall a great read for middle school. This was definitely a biography for middle grades and upper elementary.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, easy book about a fun, determined woman. Visited NC Baseball Museum and saw her name.
Wish I'd have met her. Wish all could read her story...and see how dumb racism is.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such an interesting story!

[Nicole Sayre · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I read this together as a piece of history and some knowledge of both baseball and the Negro Baseball League. This will be a good transition into A League of their Own movie.

[Courtney Kammers · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book matters and I learned quite a bit, but I didn’t love it. I’m not such a baseball fan and this didn’t have any pull aside from a love for the game.