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Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson
Book HardcoverPublication 6/22/2010 40Reading Age 2 and Up
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
2 people are currently reading
124 people want to read
About the author
Charles R. Smith Jr.
46 books34 followersCharles R. Smith Jr. is an award-winning author, photographer, and poet with more than thirty books to his credit. His awards include a Coretta Scott King Award for illustration for his photographs accompanying the Langston Hughes poem "My People" and a Coretta Scott King Honor for his biography of Muhammad Ali, Twelve Rounds to Glory. He is the author of Rimshots, Hoop Kings, Hoop Queens, Tall Tales, Short Takes, Diamond Life, and I Am America. A father of three himself, Charles brings his love of basketball and baseball right down to the toddler set in Let's Play Basketball! and Let's Play Baseball! His recent work celebrates subjects he's been interested in since he was a kid, such as The Mighty 12, which honors Greek gods and goddesses. He currently lives in Poughkeepsie, NY, with his wife, Gillian, and their three kids. You can visit him online at www.charlesrsmithjr.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 57 reviews
January 23, 2011
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson, is a picture book biography written in verse. It is the story of Jack Johnson, the son of former slaves, who learns to stand up to his bullies by fighting them. Black Jack becomes a professional boxer but is not given the opportunity to fight white boxers. He is tenacious in his fight (no pun intended) to be equal to the most famous white fighter of his day.
Jeff Jeffries, the heavyweight champion, retires from boxing rather than have to fight Black Jack. He is eventually coaxed out of retirement and on July 4,1910 it is "Jack Vs, Jim, one black, one white. Two mighty, fightin' men, ready to fight." That day in Nevada, Black Jack Johnson makes history by becoming the first black heavyweight champion.
Charles Smith tells us the wonderful story of a black man born free and his fight to to be treated that way. He would not stand for anyone judging him on the color of his skin. Smith does a thorough job telling the story of the struggle of a black man in the early part of the century. In his notes at the end of the book, Smith tells us that Jack was even arrested for dating a white woman. The reader can empathize with Jack and his struggle to be equal.
Jeff Jeffries, the heavyweight champion, retires from boxing rather than have to fight Black Jack. He is eventually coaxed out of retirement and on July 4,1910 it is "Jack Vs, Jim, one black, one white. Two mighty, fightin' men, ready to fight." That day in Nevada, Black Jack Johnson makes history by becoming the first black heavyweight champion.
Charles Smith tells us the wonderful story of a black man born free and his fight to to be treated that way. He would not stand for anyone judging him on the color of his skin. Smith does a thorough job telling the story of the struggle of a black man in the early part of the century. In his notes at the end of the book, Smith tells us that Jack was even arrested for dating a white woman. The reader can empathize with Jack and his struggle to be equal.
December 12, 2014
The novel “Black Jack the Ballad of Jack Johnson” is about an African American man named Jack Johnson whose goal in life is to become the worlds best heavy weight champion. However the only problem is that Jack Johnson may not be let into the ring to fight and win that title, due to the color of his skin. After plenty of hard work and determination he finally climbed his way to the top and gets his chance to fight in the ring as an African American man. Johnson ends up completely dominating the competition and achieves his long time dream and goal of becoming the worlds first African American heavy weight champion. This book includes many things that shows how it is rich in cultural details, authentic dialogue relationships, in depth treatment of culture issues, and inclusion of minorities must be included. There were not very many cultural details in the book accept for a quote on the first page that reads, “I am not a slave. Because my ancestors came here before anyone had dreamed of a United States, I consider myself a pure-blooded AMERICAN” (Smith Jr, 1). The authentic dialogue in this book was great; Jack’s relationship with his mother and struggles as a young man, were both documented in the story creating good and a very natural feeling dialogue. The treatment of cultural issues was strong in this particular story because most of the novel discusses Jack’s limitations in life as an African American man trying to achieve his dream. Minorities were also relevant in the story towards the end of the book when Jack was competing against all white men and he was the only African American. This book shows such strong emotion and drive throughout each page that you feel as though you are the main character trying to win this title, you also feel a strong sense of pride and power for the African American community. This book goes along with the other minority books I have chosen to add to my classroom. This book does not have any negative look on African Americans, allowing it to be acceptable and great to have available to your students inside your classroom. I am hoping to have a collection of books covering every culture and ethnicity to be sure that all my students are accepting of one another. This book gave me a great and powerful feeling, it is great to see that somebody, being the main character can overcome his social obstacles that were based on his skin color. Jack did not let anybody get in his way of his dreams. The only criticism I can add to this book is that the overall story and voice from the author is a tad too dry. For an elementary student it could be hard to stay engaged. This book is a little on the longer side and is a biography both being something that children tend to have a hard time following along to. The images however, are very helpful in keeping the children engaged for a little longer than they would be without the images.
Smith, C. (2010). Black Jack. New York, New york: Roaring Book Press.
Smith, C. (2010). Black Jack. New York, New york: Roaring Book Press.
February 29, 2016
Like a rhythmic one-two punch, the text of this picture book biography tells the story of boxer Jack Johnson who became the world's first black heavyweight champion in 1910. While I like some of the powerful text, some of the lines are awkward to say aloud without much practice. Still, young readers will like the way certain important words appear in larger font and will surely savor the incredible illustrations throughout the book's pages. Back matter includes "And Then What Happened?" describing some of Johnson's trials and triumphs after his match.
March 31, 2010
The striking illustrations and layout cover the many flaws in this bland story of the first African-American heavy-weight boxing champion, Jack Johnson. The rhymes seemed forced and unimaginative and the story seems too short and simple for young readers to understand the importance of Jackson's accomplishments.
September 9, 2020
In 1908, he became the first Black heavyweight boxing champion of the world. He was fighting at a time when, regardless of slavery having been abolished 45 years beforehand, African Americans were still subjected to extensive isolation and racism.
His victory over James J. Jeffries -- in what was billed then as the "Fight of the Century" -- on Independence Day in 1910, sent shockwaves through both the Black and White communities across the world.
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson. penned by Charles R. Smith Jr and iIllustrated by Shane W. Evans., in verse and artwork, tells the significant story of the first African American fighter to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
Jim Jeffries, the reigning champ, was so concerned about losing a fight to a black man that he retired. When Jeffries in conclusion decided to fight Johnson, Jeffries was defeated. In part due to his rebuttal to fight Black contenders after beating Jeffries, a profligate lifestyle and his grudge with Joe Louis, Johnson managed to somewhat estrange himself from the Black community and consequently become something of an elapsed figure.
Children will be interested in how young Jack stood up to bullies at the urging of his mother and how he then worked hard to become one of the most renowned athletes of the 20th century. Jack Johnson, the son of former slaves, was a source of pride and inspiration to black people, and his accomplishments reverberated
inside and outside the world of sports.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is a book meant for kid’s, grown-ups can read it too. Cheers !!
His victory over James J. Jeffries -- in what was billed then as the "Fight of the Century" -- on Independence Day in 1910, sent shockwaves through both the Black and White communities across the world.
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson. penned by Charles R. Smith Jr and iIllustrated by Shane W. Evans., in verse and artwork, tells the significant story of the first African American fighter to become the heavyweight champion of the world.
Jim Jeffries, the reigning champ, was so concerned about losing a fight to a black man that he retired. When Jeffries in conclusion decided to fight Johnson, Jeffries was defeated. In part due to his rebuttal to fight Black contenders after beating Jeffries, a profligate lifestyle and his grudge with Joe Louis, Johnson managed to somewhat estrange himself from the Black community and consequently become something of an elapsed figure.
Children will be interested in how young Jack stood up to bullies at the urging of his mother and how he then worked hard to become one of the most renowned athletes of the 20th century. Jack Johnson, the son of former slaves, was a source of pride and inspiration to black people, and his accomplishments reverberated
inside and outside the world of sports.
Notwithstanding the fact that this is a book meant for kid’s, grown-ups can read it too. Cheers !!
July 17, 2013
22 December 2009 BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON by Charles R. Smith Jr. and Shane W. Evans, ill., Neal Porter/Roaring Brook, June 2010, 40p., ISBN: 978-1-59643-473-8
"I'm Jack Johnson -- heavyweight champion of the world! I'm black! They never let me forget it. I'm black all right; I'll never let them forget it."
-- spoken by Brock Peters (who played Tom Robinson in the film To Kill a Mockingbird) at the conclusion of the Miles Davis album A Tribute to Jack Johnson.
"A lover of cars,
Jack could often be found
flaunting his style
while tooling around town.
Behind the wheel of his car
Jack was just Jack.
But everywhere else,
Jack was just black."
In his 2006 article "Why White People are Afraid," journalism professor Robert Jensen writes of how perhaps the "most crucial fear is that of facing the fact that some of what we white people have is unearned."
That it is ill-gotten is certainly true. When the Civil War ended there were four million slaves who had spent their entire lives not getting paid for the work they were doing, while those who enslaved them had spent generations building family fortunes and large land holdings on the backs of slaves. Fast-forwarding nearly a century, the 1950 US Census enumerated more than 15 million "Negroes" nationwide. The economic and social disadvantages borne by those 15 million Americans in the years just preceding the Brown v. Board of Education case -- on top of the fact that they were not born into those ill-gotten family fortunes and large land holdings (which were still being maintained generation by succeeding generation in part through the economic benefits of institutional racism) -- ranged from the more subtle economic perversion of unequal pay for equal work, to that of being entirely denied entry into scores of lucrative professions, to the economically exploitive cradle-to-grave Jim Crow system that insured inequitable access to educational, business, and professional opportunities (including everything from the informal networking situations provided by bars and country clubs to Ivy League schools -- all those places where deals get done and careers are made).
"For more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth."
-- Ken Burns in the film Unforgivable Blackness: the Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson."
As we know, those opportunities withheld for so long by the white majority extended to professional sports. If there is one thing that we can conclude from reading Kadir Nelson's lively, brilliant, and beautiful WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL, it is that so many Major League records that existed when I was a kid were ill-gotten. If baseball had stayed integrated (It had been so back in the 1880s.), I would have surely grown up reading the names of the guys from Kadir's book splashed all over the MLB record books.
"Fast hands, a clever head,
reflexes like a cat,
and a big right uppercut
sent many to the mat.
With each fight fought
came new improved skills,
and with each win
came a fistful of bills."
Jack Johnson, the son of slaves, who would read about and be inspired by the stories of great men, wanted to be a great man, too. But professional boxing was not integrated when he was at his prime, and Jack Johnson wanted a shot at Jim Jeffries the white heavyweight champion.
"So Jack chased the champ
from fight to fight,
challenging Jim Jeffries
to prove his might."
Jim Jeffries finally retired rather than fight Jack Johnson. It took years, but finally on July 4th of 1910 Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion of the world. And then Jim Jeffries came out of retirement so that he could have his turn at being whopped by Jack, and that left no doubt about who was champion.
Charles R. Smith Jr., who teamed up with Bryan Collier to write about the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time in the award-winning TWELVE ROUNDS TO GLORY: THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD ALI, collaborates this time with Shane W. Evans in telling the tale of Jack Johnson. A one-page afterward "And then what happened?" provides a great summary of the long-term price Jack Johnson paid for his unwillingness to bow down to White America.
This is an exceptional picture book for older readers. In the same way that Jack Johnson read about and was inspired by great men, BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON will provide a flurry of inspiration for today's young people.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
"I'm Jack Johnson -- heavyweight champion of the world! I'm black! They never let me forget it. I'm black all right; I'll never let them forget it."
-- spoken by Brock Peters (who played Tom Robinson in the film To Kill a Mockingbird) at the conclusion of the Miles Davis album A Tribute to Jack Johnson.
"A lover of cars,
Jack could often be found
flaunting his style
while tooling around town.
Behind the wheel of his car
Jack was just Jack.
But everywhere else,
Jack was just black."
In his 2006 article "Why White People are Afraid," journalism professor Robert Jensen writes of how perhaps the "most crucial fear is that of facing the fact that some of what we white people have is unearned."
That it is ill-gotten is certainly true. When the Civil War ended there were four million slaves who had spent their entire lives not getting paid for the work they were doing, while those who enslaved them had spent generations building family fortunes and large land holdings on the backs of slaves. Fast-forwarding nearly a century, the 1950 US Census enumerated more than 15 million "Negroes" nationwide. The economic and social disadvantages borne by those 15 million Americans in the years just preceding the Brown v. Board of Education case -- on top of the fact that they were not born into those ill-gotten family fortunes and large land holdings (which were still being maintained generation by succeeding generation in part through the economic benefits of institutional racism) -- ranged from the more subtle economic perversion of unequal pay for equal work, to that of being entirely denied entry into scores of lucrative professions, to the economically exploitive cradle-to-grave Jim Crow system that insured inequitable access to educational, business, and professional opportunities (including everything from the informal networking situations provided by bars and country clubs to Ivy League schools -- all those places where deals get done and careers are made).
"For more than thirteen years, Jack Johnson was the most famous and the most notorious African-American on Earth."
-- Ken Burns in the film Unforgivable Blackness: the Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson."
As we know, those opportunities withheld for so long by the white majority extended to professional sports. If there is one thing that we can conclude from reading Kadir Nelson's lively, brilliant, and beautiful WE ARE THE SHIP: THE STORY OF NEGRO LEAGUE BASEBALL, it is that so many Major League records that existed when I was a kid were ill-gotten. If baseball had stayed integrated (It had been so back in the 1880s.), I would have surely grown up reading the names of the guys from Kadir's book splashed all over the MLB record books.
"Fast hands, a clever head,
reflexes like a cat,
and a big right uppercut
sent many to the mat.
With each fight fought
came new improved skills,
and with each win
came a fistful of bills."
Jack Johnson, the son of slaves, who would read about and be inspired by the stories of great men, wanted to be a great man, too. But professional boxing was not integrated when he was at his prime, and Jack Johnson wanted a shot at Jim Jeffries the white heavyweight champion.
"So Jack chased the champ
from fight to fight,
challenging Jim Jeffries
to prove his might."
Jim Jeffries finally retired rather than fight Jack Johnson. It took years, but finally on July 4th of 1910 Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion of the world. And then Jim Jeffries came out of retirement so that he could have his turn at being whopped by Jack, and that left no doubt about who was champion.
Charles R. Smith Jr., who teamed up with Bryan Collier to write about the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time in the award-winning TWELVE ROUNDS TO GLORY: THE STORY OF MUHAMMAD ALI, collaborates this time with Shane W. Evans in telling the tale of Jack Johnson. A one-page afterward "And then what happened?" provides a great summary of the long-term price Jack Johnson paid for his unwillingness to bow down to White America.
This is an exceptional picture book for older readers. In the same way that Jack Johnson read about and was inspired by great men, BLACK JACK: THE BALLAD OF JACK JOHNSON will provide a flurry of inspiration for today's young people.
Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.com
BudNotBuddy@aol.com
Moderator http://groups.yahoo.com/group/middle_... http://slisweb.sjsu.edu/people/facult...
February 8, 2014
The combination of Charles Smith and Shane Evans adds up to a great piece of work, bringing to life the challenges faced and triumphs achieved by Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world.
Jack was born in 1878 to freed slaves who taught him he could do anything if he wanted it badly enough. He used to get beat up regularly by neighborhood bullies, but his mother encouraged him to fight back, and soon nobody could touch him. He was also inspired by the stories he read in school about great leaders, and he too dreamed of becoming a great man.
As he got older, he could beat anybody inside the ring, but whites consistently refused to fight him.
Finally, Tommy Burns, a white Canadian, agreed to fight Jack in Australia. When Jack was declared the winner, boxing fans around the world cried foul. Racists called out for a "Great White Hope" to take the title away from Johnson. They encouraged the great heavyweight champ, Jim Jeffries, to come out of retirement and prove that whites were superior to blacks.
Reno, Nevada was the scene of “The Battle of the Century” on July 4, 1910. [Racial tension was so high that guns were prohibited within the arena as was the sale of alcohol or the admittance of anyone showing the effects of alcohol.] After fifteen rounds, Jack made history as “The World’s First Black Heavyweight Champion.”
The book ends at this point, but Smith adds an afterward to recount Jack’s continuing problems with his challenges to the color line. For example, Jack had three wives, all of whom were white. This did not sit well with the white establishment. In fact, he was famously convicted in 1913 by an all-white jury for violating the 1910 Mann Act (also known as The White-Slave Traffic Act), which prohibited "transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes." (This trial took place in the courtroom of Federal Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the future Commissioner of Baseball who kept blacks out of baseball as long as he was alive.) Jack was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. [This was the same year that the administration of President Woodrow Wilson mandated segregation for all federal agencies in Washington, D.C., including the lunchrooms and bathrooms inside government buildings.]
Tragically, Jack died in a car accident in 1946, after racing angrily from a diner that refused to serve him. He was taken to the closest black hospital, Saint Agnes Hospital, some 30 miles away in Raleigh. He was 68 years old at the time of his death.
Since the time of his death, there have been numerous petitions for him to receive a presidential pardon. To date, one has not been issued.
Johnson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954, and is on the roster of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Evaluation: This is an excellent introduction to the story of a brave and determined man, and to the more general topic of acquiring self-esteem in the face of adversity. Simple prose, catchy poetic stanzas, and authentic quotes from the time add interest to the text. Shane Evans contributes both strength and heart to the characters of any book he illustrates.
Jack was born in 1878 to freed slaves who taught him he could do anything if he wanted it badly enough. He used to get beat up regularly by neighborhood bullies, but his mother encouraged him to fight back, and soon nobody could touch him. He was also inspired by the stories he read in school about great leaders, and he too dreamed of becoming a great man.
As he got older, he could beat anybody inside the ring, but whites consistently refused to fight him.
Finally, Tommy Burns, a white Canadian, agreed to fight Jack in Australia. When Jack was declared the winner, boxing fans around the world cried foul. Racists called out for a "Great White Hope" to take the title away from Johnson. They encouraged the great heavyweight champ, Jim Jeffries, to come out of retirement and prove that whites were superior to blacks.
Reno, Nevada was the scene of “The Battle of the Century” on July 4, 1910. [Racial tension was so high that guns were prohibited within the arena as was the sale of alcohol or the admittance of anyone showing the effects of alcohol.] After fifteen rounds, Jack made history as “The World’s First Black Heavyweight Champion.”
The book ends at this point, but Smith adds an afterward to recount Jack’s continuing problems with his challenges to the color line. For example, Jack had three wives, all of whom were white. This did not sit well with the white establishment. In fact, he was famously convicted in 1913 by an all-white jury for violating the 1910 Mann Act (also known as The White-Slave Traffic Act), which prohibited "transporting women across state lines for immoral purposes." (This trial took place in the courtroom of Federal Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the future Commissioner of Baseball who kept blacks out of baseball as long as he was alive.) Jack was sentenced to a year and a day in prison. [This was the same year that the administration of President Woodrow Wilson mandated segregation for all federal agencies in Washington, D.C., including the lunchrooms and bathrooms inside government buildings.]
Tragically, Jack died in a car accident in 1946, after racing angrily from a diner that refused to serve him. He was taken to the closest black hospital, Saint Agnes Hospital, some 30 miles away in Raleigh. He was 68 years old at the time of his death.
Since the time of his death, there have been numerous petitions for him to receive a presidential pardon. To date, one has not been issued.
Johnson was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 1954, and is on the roster of both the International Boxing Hall of Fame and the World Boxing Hall of Fame.
Evaluation: This is an excellent introduction to the story of a brave and determined man, and to the more general topic of acquiring self-esteem in the face of adversity. Simple prose, catchy poetic stanzas, and authentic quotes from the time add interest to the text. Shane Evans contributes both strength and heart to the characters of any book he illustrates.
December 3, 2013
The novel “Black Jack the Ballad of Jack Johnson” is about an African American man named Jack Johnson whose goal in life is to become the worlds best heavy weight champion. However the only problem is that Jack Johnson may not be let into the ring to fight and win that title, due to the color of his skin. After plenty of hard work and determination he finally climbed his way to the top and gets his chance to fight in the ring as an African American man. Johnson ends up completely dominating the competition and achieves his long time dream and goal of becoming the worlds first African American heavy weight champion. With “Black Jack” being awarded for the Notable Books of Global Society or NBGS, things like rich in cultural details, authentic dialogue relationships, in depth treatment of culture issues, and inclusion of minorities must be included. There were not very many cultural details in the book, which was slightly upsetting. The authentic dialogue in this book was great; Jack’s relationship with his mother and struggles as a young man, were both documented in the story creating good and natural feeling dialogue. The treatment of cultural issues was strong in this particular story because most of the novel discusses Jack’s limitations in life as an African American man trying to achieve his dream. Minorities were also relevant in the story towards the end of the book when Jack was competing against all white men and he was the only African American.
This book could be used in a teaching lesson that talks about different types of sports or athletic activities and all of the different types of people and ethnicities that are apart of them. This book could also open up discussions about equality and what it looks like to treat all people the same.
This book shows such strong emotion and drive throughout each page that you feel as though you are the main character trying to win this title, you also feel a strong sense of pride and power for the African American community. Over all, this novel was enjoyable to read and would recommend it to anyone.
This book could be used in a teaching lesson that talks about different types of sports or athletic activities and all of the different types of people and ethnicities that are apart of them. This book could also open up discussions about equality and what it looks like to treat all people the same.
This book shows such strong emotion and drive throughout each page that you feel as though you are the main character trying to win this title, you also feel a strong sense of pride and power for the African American community. Over all, this novel was enjoyable to read and would recommend it to anyone.
January 25, 2018
Strong graphic illustrations and rhyming prose tell the action-packed and inspiring story of the African American heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson who broke the color line and became the first black heavyweight champion of the world.
April 24, 2016
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson written by Charles Smith Jr is the story about how Jack Johnson made history by becoming the first black heavy weight champion of the world. One of the main reasons I enjoyed this book is because of the theme. One of the themes is how hard work and determination can pay off. Jack was determined to become the first African American champion heavyweight boxer and because of this determination be worked to hard to accomplish this goal. I think many individuals can benefit from this lesson. Furthermore, one reason I would use this book in the classroom is to teach students about discrimination African Americans faced. For example, this is seen when Jack says, “I am not a slave. Because my ancestors came here before anyone had dreamed of a United States, I consider myself pure blood American” (Smith,Jr 2010). Jack was born to parents that were both former slaves, but he did not consider himself one because he was born in the United States. Another way this book teaches students about discrimination is when the author writes, “it was Jack that who was challenged when he faced the color line. White only fought white and that kept Jack out of the ring” (Smith Jr, 2010). African Americans were discriminated against because they were only allowed to fight people of their race. As a final note, I also enjoyed the style and illustrations in the book. The book is written in a rhythmic form that makes it fun for readers of all ages. The illustrations are beautifully done and show the details of the characters. They are very bold and capture the attention of young readers.
April 26, 2016
Black Jack the Ballad of Jack Johnson is about an African American man named Jack Johnson. He has a goal in life and that is to become the heavy weight champion boxer. While it is a a great goal for any young man to have, he faces problems getting into the ring because of his skin color; black. He was the son to former slaves and faced a lot of racial discrimination during his career. Jack did not give up and continued hard training and climbing his way to the top. When Jack finally made it to the top, he only had one fight left. A fight against the returning heavy weight champion Jeff Jeffries. However, Jeffries decided he would rather retire than fight an African American in the ring. Due to high demand he is coaxed out of retirement on July 4th 1910. The fight became the most talked about fight during the time, “Jack vs Jim, one black, one white. Two mighty, fightin’ men, ready to fight”. That day, history was made. Jack Johnson became the first black heavy weight champion. A black man who was born free, yet still had to fight his way to be treated the way he thought he deserved to be treated. Jack would not stand for anyone treating him poorly or judging him just because of the color on his skin rather than his brain, talent, and heart. This book is full of enrapturing illustrations that tell the story themselves. This book may be a little wordy and long for younger readers but it still highlights the culture of the early 1900s and could be read as a classroom read aloud! Great book!
April 16, 2013
Black Jack: The Ballad of Jack Johnson is about the first Heavyweight Champion of the World that was African American. Jack was a strong minded and strong fisted individual. He fought hard to be given the chance to prove he was just as powerful as the White boxers of his day. Up until that point black fighters and white fighters never got into the ring together. Jack proved his worth and that he was the best Heavyweight fighter in the world. What I really liked about this book was the illustrations done by Shane W. Evans. They are done in what looks like pastel and creates an almost mythical, magical, and powerful image of Jack Johnson. The only weakness I found in this book is that it only speaks of how successful Jack Johnson was. I am sure there were points in his life where he wanted to give up, but those are not included. I would guess that they are not included because it is a short picture book and those details did not need to be included. I enjoy books like this because they really show how moving this man was at his time. He took the risk of putting himself in front of many people to be judged, but knew with his hard work that he would come out on top. If it wasn't for people like Jack Johnson who take risks we may not be where we are at in terms of racial equality in sports and in the overall world.
June 18, 2014
1. Twin Text: Jimmy the Greatest by Jairo Buitrago (2010)
2. Rationale: Black Jack tells the rise of boxer legend Jack Johnson. Jack grew up believing he 'could do anything you want if you want it badly enough'. He overcame obstacles while becoming one of the greatest heavy wight fighters of that time. In the fictional story, Jimmy grew up in a small town and had to overcome obstacles some the same and some different than Jack. They both worked very hard toward a dream they both had and achieved exactly what they wanted in the end.I would discuss with my students how setting a goal and working hard toward that goal will get you that goal. I believe nothing in life is free and hard work and persistence is what will get these characters and my students far in life.
3. Text structure I see is chronological sequence and problem and solution. With these two books I would use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two main characters in these stories. I feel they both began their lives as strong willed boys and continues that through their lives. I want my students to feel that if they continue to stay strong and 'keep their eyes on the prize' they can achieve what they want out of life.
4. Book Review: (2010, July 1). School Library Journal.
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...
2. Rationale: Black Jack tells the rise of boxer legend Jack Johnson. Jack grew up believing he 'could do anything you want if you want it badly enough'. He overcame obstacles while becoming one of the greatest heavy wight fighters of that time. In the fictional story, Jimmy grew up in a small town and had to overcome obstacles some the same and some different than Jack. They both worked very hard toward a dream they both had and achieved exactly what they wanted in the end.I would discuss with my students how setting a goal and working hard toward that goal will get you that goal. I believe nothing in life is free and hard work and persistence is what will get these characters and my students far in life.
3. Text structure I see is chronological sequence and problem and solution. With these two books I would use a Venn diagram to compare and contrast the two main characters in these stories. I feel they both began their lives as strong willed boys and continues that through their lives. I want my students to feel that if they continue to stay strong and 'keep their eyes on the prize' they can achieve what they want out of life.
4. Book Review: (2010, July 1). School Library Journal.
http://www.booksinprint.com.leo.lib.u...
December 3, 2015
This story is about Jack Johnson who was the first black heavyweight champion of the world. Jack was a strong man and very brave, he was born in Texas in 1878. He was bullied as a child, until his mother told him to fight back. Jack was able to make money using his strong fists; he believed he could accomplish anything he put his mind to. Though Jack wanted to be great he was faced with discrimination because he was black. He was unable to fight many opponents because they refused to fight a black man. Jack followed the champion fighter everywhere he went, challenging him to fight, because he new he was the best. At last, the champion Tommy Burns agreed to fight Jack, and Jack came out victorious. Though he won people said that Tommy Burns was not the real champ and Jim Jeffries was, so Jack challenged him to fight. On the 4th of July in 1910, Jack Johnson became the heavyweight champion of the world.This book does not have a traditional way of writing a story. It is almost written in poetry form, with emphasis on important words throughout the texts. This way of writing really caught my attention, and made for more of an interesting reading experience. I think that with the use of the big, bold words, I was able to focus on the words that are especially meaningful.
April 22, 2016
This book is about an African American man named Jack Johnson. He has a goal in life and that is to become the heavy weight champion boxer. While it is a great goal for any young man to have, he faces problems getting into the ring because of his skin color; black. He was the son to former slaves and faced a lot of racial discrimination during his career. Jack did not give up and continued hard training and climbing his way to the top. When Jack finally made it to the top, he only had one fight left. A fight against the returning heavy weight champion Jeff Jeffries. However, Jeffries decided he would rather retire than fight an African American in the ring. Due to high demand he is coaxed out of retirement on July 4th 1910. The fight became the most talked about fight during the time, “Jack vs. Jim, one black, and one white. Two mighty, fightin’ men, ready to fight” (Smith). That day, history was made. Jack Johnson became the first black heavy weight champion. A black man who was born free, yet still had to fight his way to be treated the way he thought he deserved to be treated. Jack would not stand for anyone treating him poorly or judging him just because of the color on his skin rather than his brain, talent, and heart.
April 23, 2014
This is the story of the great Jack Johnson, the heavyweight boxer, not the musician. Jack Johnson was the first African American man to become a National Heavyweight Champion. This book begins by detailing Jack’s rough childhood, which included getting bullied regularly due to his ethnicity. As a form of self-defense, jack needed to learn how to fight back. After several years of working odd jobs, Jack decided he wanted to pursue his dream of becoming a professional boxer. For many years of being a professional, jack was constantly denied a shot at the title due to the color of his skin. Eventually the belt changed hands enough times, and finally one champion was brave enough to give Jack the chance he deserved. Jack would go on to finish the fight by knockout in the early rounds, it was said Jack went easy on the white man he was fighting, just to make sure the crowd would not start to riot with a black man winning so easily. After years and years of hard work, Jack had finally accomplished what he had worked so hard for.
November 27, 2017
This is a book that tells the story of heavyweight boxer Jack Johnson and the struggles he went through to be come the heavyweight champion of the world. The story starts when Jack was a young boy who would get beat up by the local bullies until his mother told him to fight back. Jack did fight back and he discovered he had fast and powerful hands. Jack worked hard at many jobs to make money for himself and he spent that money traveling to challenge the heavyweight champion of boxing who would not box Jack because of the color of his skin. Jack would not give up and he continued this trend when a new champion was crowned. Finally the champion had agreed to fight Jack and Jack made quick work of him to become the champ. But the old champion had retired undefeated and people wouldn't name Jack champ until he beat Jim Jeffries. Jeffries eventually agreed to come out of retirement to fight Jack and once again Jack made quick work of the champion and he was officially named the world heavyweight champion.
November 18, 2013
This book tells the story of Jack Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion. This was set in the early 1900s, and Jack was born a free man, unlike his parents who were both slaves. Jack knew he was free and expected to be treated like the free man that he was. He found a passion in boxing, and eventually became the heavyweight champion while making history; he was not only the first black heavyweight, but he was also the first to cross the “color-line” in boxing, which means that he was the first black man to fight (box) a white man. Quotes from real people were used in the book as well as a small biography and epilogue at the end, which made it feel as if the reader was inside of the story in that era. I thought that this book might promote violence because there was one part of the book where Jack’s mother was urging Jack to fight back against his bullies. Because of that, I feel like it only deserves 3/5 stars.
April 29, 2015
This book is well written and has many strengths. The depiction of the interaction between whites and blacks at the time Jack Johnson is living and striving to become the greatest boxer in the world is discussed many times. The book mentions “the color line” many times because as the story says “white only fought white.” Jack was unable to fight the champion for many years because of the color barrier and this is fully and accurately portrayed within this story. The uniqueness of style is another major strength that stands out when reading this book. The style of writing is all poetic and makes the story more appealing to read because of the rhythm in it. An example of this is the passage that states “Fighting, it seems, came easy to Jack and built up the confidence he once sorely lacked.” The whole book is written in a poetic form such as this, which adds to the uniqueness of style within the book itself.
July 18, 2012
Jack Johnson, the son of slaves, who would read about and be inspired by the stories of great men, wanted to be a great man. But professional boxing was not integrated when he was at his prime, and Jack Johnson wanted a shot at Jim Jeffries the white heavyweight champion. Jim Jeffries finally retired rather than fight Jack Johnson. It took years, but finally on July 4th,1910 Jack Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion of the world. And then Jim Jeffries came out of retirement so that he could have his turn at being whopped by Jack, and that left no doubt about who was champion.
A one-page afterward "And then what happened?" provides a great summary of the long-term price Jack Johnson paid for his unwillingness to bow down to White America.
Great read for secondary students for African American history or for the boxing class @ TLC.
A one-page afterward "And then what happened?" provides a great summary of the long-term price Jack Johnson paid for his unwillingness to bow down to White America.
Great read for secondary students for African American history or for the boxing class @ TLC.
January 5, 2011
Picture book biographies have become increasingly common these days, which I find somewhat of a puzzle. There is not much demand for them on the part of children of a suitable age to read them, and teachers don't assign them or check them out in any great numbers. On one hand the format allows children and adults to learn about someone who not much is known, but they don't always give a lot of information. They also don't fit into what children are assigned when it comes time for biography reading.
This particular story is in rhyme, which is tricky in the best of times, but which sort of feels heavy and cumbersome like typing boxing gloves when it comes to communicating information. It is not such a bad story, but in some parts one wonders if it is not more a story then a biography.
This particular story is in rhyme, which is tricky in the best of times, but which sort of feels heavy and cumbersome like typing boxing gloves when it comes to communicating information. It is not such a bad story, but in some parts one wonders if it is not more a story then a biography.
May 8, 2010
I found this book a welcome addition to my African American history collection. Wonderful and easy to read for grades K to to 3. I love the way the font changes to emphasize meaning. Shane Williams' illustrations are just marvelous and the kids kept reaching up to touch the book when I held it up to show them, inching forward on the rug. The story is just enough for them to understand and get a decent meaning of this engrossing mans' life.
Do you as an adult need a quick book to read about a important figure in history, to whet your appetite pick it up and say its for a nephew or something, I won't tell!
Do you as an adult need a quick book to read about a important figure in history, to whet your appetite pick it up and say its for a nephew or something, I won't tell!
April 29, 2014
Boxing great, Jack Johnson definitely didn't have it easy making his way into the world of professional boxing during the late 1800s. As a child, Jack was constantly beat up, until his mom told him to FIGHT BACK. After that day, Jack never lost a fight. The story follows Jack through his many trials at making is way to the top of boxing. Due to the rules at the time, African-Americans weren't allowed to fight professionally but a recently crowned world champ agreed to face Jack in the ring. Jacks wins. This is a beautifully told tale that will inspires the reader to never give up on their dreams, as anything is possible if you set your heart to it.
March 24, 2017
Born to former slaves, Jack, Arthur John Johnson, had a childhood that shaped him into the fighting champion he was to become. After being targeted by bullies Jack was urged to fight back.
In lyrical lines that sometimes sooth, sometimes stir up a laugh, and sometimes make you feel like you're bouncing around the fighting ring, readers learn of Jack's journey to the top.
Lines of color stop Jack from being a world champion fighter, until someone will agree to fight him.
Excellent read aloud!
In lyrical lines that sometimes sooth, sometimes stir up a laugh, and sometimes make you feel like you're bouncing around the fighting ring, readers learn of Jack's journey to the top.
Lines of color stop Jack from being a world champion fighter, until someone will agree to fight him.
Excellent read aloud!
October 2, 2010
This biography begs to be read aloud to a group of early elementary students. (my second and third graders loved it!) Striking illustrations paired with rhyming text tell the story of Jack Johnson, the first black heavy weight champion. Smith's rhymes were occasionally a little clunky when read aloud, which kept it from getting 5 stars, but it still will make a great addition to any picture book biography or Black history collection for younger readers. ~s
June 26, 2011
Great introduction to Black Jack Johnson, a boxer from the early 1900s. Not only was he the first black heavyweight champion but he also was an inventor and played the bass to relax. He was a trendsetter This was my first introduction to this particular individual and the book made me want to learn more.
As interesting as I found it, I would have to practice to read the rhyming text aloud fluently.
As interesting as I found it, I would have to practice to read the rhyming text aloud fluently.
September 26, 2011
The Ballad of Jack Johnson.
The illustrations / layout of text is fantastic & appealing. The poetry isn't as great or rhythmic as I'd like (you're going to want to practice before reading aloud) but I'll take it. A short biography and a list of sources appear in the back.
Some reviewers commented that this doesn't include enough information. It's a ballad, not a biography; it fits the bill it set out to.
The illustrations / layout of text is fantastic & appealing. The poetry isn't as great or rhythmic as I'd like (you're going to want to practice before reading aloud) but I'll take it. A short biography and a list of sources appear in the back.
Some reviewers commented that this doesn't include enough information. It's a ballad, not a biography; it fits the bill it set out to.
April 24, 2012
One thing unique thing about this book is the way the text looks. Some words are bigger than others which gives the reader a clearer understanding of what the author is trying to communicate. Students who are interested in boxing would really enjoy this book, since it is about the first black heavyweight champion. The illustrations have a unique texture to them which may attract some readers even more.
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December 3, 2012This book has powerful words and illustrations. I enjoyed reading this story of how a young black man breaks barriers during a time when that was needed. It is a story of how a young black boy who grows up poor ends up being the heavyweight champion in boxing. It includes his struggles along the way to accomplish this dream.
This would be a good book to teach about accomplishing goals and about history. I would recommend this book for elementary students.
This would be a good book to teach about accomplishing goals and about history. I would recommend this book for elementary students.
April 7, 2013
Perhaps 3.5 stars, but a book that I did enjoy. The graphic type illustrations were powerful. The story told in verse (and varied text size) might not have told enough, but I felt like it was a poem that invited further investigation of Johnson, the first black heavyweight champion of the world. "And Then What Happened" can be found in the back matter, along with a short bibliography. Another look at racism and prejudice in America's past.
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