Let Them Play

by Margot Theis Raven

Segregated Charleston, SC, 1955

There are 62 official Little League programs in South Carolina — all but one of the leagues is composed entirely of white players. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, an all-black team, is formed in the hopes of playing in the state's annual Little League Tournament. What should have been a time of enjoyment, however, turns sour when all of the other leagues refuse to play against them and even pull out of the program. As the only remaining Little League team in the state, Cannon Street was named state winner by default, giving the boys a legitimate spot in the Little League Baseball World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While the Cannon Street team is invited to the game as guests, they are not allowed to participate since they have not officially "played" and won their state's tournament.

Let Them Play takes its name from the chant shouted by the spectators who attended the World Series final. Author Margot Theis Raven recounts the inspiring tales of the Cannon Street All-Stars as they arrived in Williamsport, PA and never got the chance to play for the title thanks to the bigotry and ignorance of the South Carolina teams. Winning by forfeit, the Cannon Streeters were subsequently not allowed to participate in Williamsburg because they had not "played" their way into the tournament.

Let Them Play is an important civil rights story in American history with an even more important message about equality and tolerance. It's a tale of humanity against the backdrop of America's favorite pastime that's sure to please fans of the sport and mankind. The summer of 2005 marked the 50th year since the fans' shouts of Let Them Play fell on deaf ears and 14 boys learned a cruel lesson in backwards politics and prejudice. This book can help teach us a new lesson and assure something like this never happens again.

Genres: Picture Books, Historical Fiction, Sports, Baseball, Childrens, Cultural, Historical

32 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2005

Reviews

[Ivan Rainey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review: This is a story about a Little League team named the Cannon Street All Stars. They are the lone black team in South Carolina, the only team with black players on it as well. With the information of this team spreading the white teams chose to pull out of the league and now South Carolina has 1 team left, Cannon Street. Winning the state title by default they are invited to Williamsport for the Little League World Series. But, they can not play because they have yet to play an actual game. The book gets its title from the chant of the crowds at Williamsport that shouted “Let them Play”. This gives us a story about racial segregation, intolerance, opression. The team and boys never did any harm to anyone. They just wanted to play some ball.
Illustration: The pictures cover most of the pages with tremendous art work. Using paint we can see scenes of boys playing baseball, their travel to Williamsport as well as some of the things they did. The paintings are bright and uplifting. Much like the spirits of the boys.
Rating: I love books about baseball and overcoming obstacles. The kids spirits could’ve been shattered but just to get a chance to be at the LLWS was gratifying enough. Would they have rather played, obviously. But, the fact that they kept their spirits high is truly unbelievable. 5 stars!

[RLL22017 Flora Zayas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Raven and illustrator Ellison work together to tell the story of 14 All-Star (baseball) Players on their journey to Williamsport for the Little League World Series Championship. A time when the desire to play baseball was "rising high as heat waves," players like Jackie Robinson became role models for black children. However, this was during 1955- a time of segregation and injustice. Nevertheless, the children's parents did their best to shelter them from the hate and pessimisitic attitudes of ignorant bystanders; in South Carolina, the first "all-black Little League" was formed on Cannon Street. Yet, a boycott of Little League organization meant that the Cannon Street Little League which left them as winners by default. However, a title that was worthless when it came to the Little League Championship. < /spoiler> The determination, spirit, and encouragement that Coach Singleton provides as a resolution to this story makes it worth reading.

Unfortunately, this book won no awards.

This book is recommended for 6 to 9 year olds. Aside from discussion questions, other activities could be connecting this story with other segregation books, researching Jackie Robinson, or having the children complete a Hands, Heart, and Hands Activity.

[Grace Glenaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved reading the book "Let Them Play" by Margot Theis Raven. I am a huge fan of every sport, and always appreciate when there's a good story written throughout them. This is a story about a Little League team named the Cannon Street All Stars. They are the only all black team in South Carolina. The book title comes from the chant of the crowds at a game that shouted “Let Them Play!" This gives us a story about racial segregation, intolerance, oppression. The team and boys never did any harm to anyone, and that's a great story for kids. Never judge anybody on their appearance or past because you never know anyone's true intentions. The kids in the story just wanted to play some ball because of the love they had for this sport. Baseball was a place for them to show their talents, and show genuine happiness. The illustrations in this book are also just phenomenal. It is more paint base, and it really helps guide the reader through the story! I always love reading books where people have to push through a lot of hard life lesson obstacles, and this definitely gave that! I will 100% be having this book in my future classroom, and I plan to show all my future kids the importance this book holds.

[Jordan Pierre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book for three reasons. The first reason that I liked this book is because it pushed the reader to see a different perspective. It showed the reader how even though Jackie Robinson was playing in the MLB and proved that Black athletes were good athletes, they still weren’t allowed to compete against White athletes. This book shows how the community, not only the 14 boys on the team, prepared for them to go to play in a Little League with White teams and how they prepare to head to the Little League Championship. I also like the illustrations in this book. The colors tones throughout the book change as the mood changes. When the book is sad and uncertain about what is happening, the colors are dark whereas when it is happy, the colors are light and cheery. Lastly, I like that this book is ended with an epilogue. I like that tells about how the story of the 14 boys on the team ends and how it comes full circle. I think that is shows that even though you may not get what you want at the time you want it; it can still happen later in life. The big idea of this story is to tell not let other people tell you can’t, keep trying and good things will come from it. (  )

[Evan Teter]

This book is about a little league baseball team in the south during the mid-1950s. They were not given a fair chance to compete, though since all teams in their league forfeited, they were able to make it to the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. However, they were told that they would not be allowed to compete in games, but they could take infield practice before one of the games. Although this must have been very disappointing to the players and coaches, they made the most of their situation. This could be a good book to read aloud to the class and discuss what this must have felt like for the players and how we would feel of we were in their situation. I would recommend this book for later elementary schoolers simply because of the content that is covered. Possibly middle elementary schoolers, but only if I thought they were ready.

[Megan Wilks]

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven is written about an African American Little League Baseball Team that is playing during the time of Jackie Robinson. All of the boys have this dream of winning the Little League World's Series and their coach as a dream of getting there. When they are finally able to qualify, they make it but the league made a rule against them. Still they are honored at the Championship but the team is discouraged because there are racists comments. This book is a non-fiction book that is a picture book but the content makes it directed for grades such as middle-upper elementary. It would be a great book to read during around the time of MLK especially for students who do play baseball and participate in Little League in their town.

[Niquilla Blodgett · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Let Them Play" re-accounts the summer of 1955 in South Carolina where a colored all star team was refused by the rest of the white teams to let them play the sport they all loved, baseball. The team eventually takes the trip to the Little League World Series in Pennsylvania as guests but they were not allowed to play. The crowd shouts for them as they take the field for a warm up experience "let them play". This book is great to introduce the historical topic of segregation to the age range of six to ten year old's, especially those interested in the sport of baseball.

[Abby Williams]

This picture book circles around Jim Crow laws and how they impact the culture of baseball around the country. It is a great book about sports that also teaches a good lesson about our countries history in the south. I would recommend this book to any younger children interested in sports in grades 3rd and 4th.

[Tonya Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story of the Cannon Street All-Stars who faced adversity when they tried to play in the Little League World Series in 1955. Segregation and prejudice are highlighted in a way that younger students can understand and process.

[Christopher Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Non-Fiction
Middle Grades (4-6)
This is a scary crazy story. I felt so sad to read about it, but I can imagine something like that happening today. There is such an isolation in kids sports of people of different colors (black/white) that it seems possible still.

[Jaclyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is are really interesting book about an African American team and their dream to play in the Little League World series. It is based on true events! It was so good and talking about discrimination in sports.

[Mackenzie Putvin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love softball so it was easy to connect to this book

[Sarah Holland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction: "Let Them Play" is a historical account of a time when a Little League team from segregated South Carolina was banned from participating in the Little League Baseball World Series. It is a different spin on the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s in that it touches on individuals that would be the age of the students, as well as a sport/hobby enjoyed by the students. Lesser known activists are introduced, which is refreshing. Additionally, the watercolor illustrations are beautiful and add a lot to the story as it is important story to no only hear, but also see, for the full impact.


Purposes
-read aloud for enrichment: The book is a historical account and tribute to the African American community. Students could discuss a time they felt prejudiced or unable to do something they wanted to do, why they were banned, and resolutions.

-read aloud for curricular purposes: This would be an excellent model when teaching a unit on Civil Rights. It introduces new/lesser known figures pertinent to the era, such as Jackie Robinson and Coach Ben Singleton, just to name a few. The view of the Civil Movement from the standpoint of a Little League team is fresh and relatable to students.

Age level
-I would target this book to 5th or 6th graders. There is a lot of text and the topic/historical context is better for older primary grades

[Michelle Biamonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Let Them Play by Margot Theis Raven is based on a true story. This book is filled with emotion and set in South in 1955, during segregation times when African Americans are fighting for civil rights. The focus is on an All Black YMCA youth baseball team, The Cannon Street All Stars. The Cannon Street team become the local winners by default, because the surrounding teams were composed of all white players, and who refused to play the YMCA black league. The team comes face to face with inequality and when they travel to Williamsport, PA to the Little League World Series but are denied their chance to play ball, as a result of the closed mindedness and bigotry they experienced from the all white South Carolina teams.

This book will appeal to baseball enthusiast, history buffs and individuals of different ethnic backgrounds. It would be a great addition to a teacher's lesson's plans during a history lesson about civil rights and freedom, or to honor African Americans during black history month.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audience: Grades K-4, readers interested in baseball and its history, readers interested in civil rights history, boys who play baseball, history/social studies teachers.

Appeal: This book is a fairly easy read for young and intermediate readers. The pictures are a great addition to the text. The story is quick moving but gets the point across. Readers who enjoy baseball and the history behind the Little League World Series will enjoy the true story of a team making history without playing in the tournament. The story would go along great with a civil rights unit.

(2006 Elementary Level Carter G. Woodson Book Award Winner)

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A team of African America boys defied the odds and rode the support of their community to become the best Little League team in South Carolina in the summer of 1955. The Canon Street boys could not be declared the South Carolina State Champions or even compete in the finals because every other team refused to play them. In an exhibition game they overwhelmed the other team, but went home without a trophy or an opportunity to prove themselves on a level playing field. The epilogue includes a report of the team reuniting in 2002 at the World Championship Little League Opening Ceremonies to be presented with the 1955 State Championship banner.

[Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

As our first picture book on this topic and actually about baseball I found myself having to give a lot of additional information so my daughter would understand better. She is a bit young for this particular book, an older child would likely understand the appeal of baseball to young boys and have some understanding of the way life might have been when you couldn't just drink from any ol water fountain. Still I'm glad we read it although until the moment of the water fountain page and an explanation about skin color I'm not sure she ever noticed or cared about skin color... I sure hope it stays that way!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated book which tells a compelling and true story about discrimination in the 1950's. I generally like picture books which are written for older readers and this one is no exception. Kids will relate to it because of the Little League plot, and will hopefully walk away with a better understanding of prejudice and its effects. A drawing at the end of the characters as they look now was a very nice touch. A good read-aloud choice to introduce civil rights themes in a way that makes sense to middle school kids.

[Judi Paradis · Rating 3 out of 5]

In 1955, Jackie Robinson became the first black baseball player in the major leagues, and an all-Black Little League team in South Carolina made the state championship playoffs. But when all the white teams refused to play them (and started their own league), the South Carolina champions won by default and were not allowed to play in the Little League World Series that year. This story seems unbelievable now--but just 50 years ago, this was life for Black kids in America. A fascinating look at how far we've come. For grades 2 and up.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The true story of the 1955 Cannon Street All Stars, an all black little league team who was boycotted out of the South Carolina championships. They were unable to compete at the national Little League Championships, but were eventually recognized (in 2002) for their achievement. This is a story that will (hopefully) make you cry, and inspire you. This would be a good book for a baseball storytime, but be prepared for the discussion!

[Cheryl Kays · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is story about a young baseball team that wants to participate in the little league world series. However, because the team consists of all African Americans they are not allowed to play. This story discusses the issues of segregation and how people worked together to fight this war of unequal opportunities. I would recommend this book for 3rd grade and up.

[Marissa Morrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author makes Civil Rights history come alive in this detailed story about the 1955 South Carolina Little League champs. They were only allowed on the World Series field for a brief warm-up because no white team would play against them.

[Cws]

JAR5OS-Rav even Little Leagues had racial problems 1955

[Nick Cherry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book would be great to use during Black History Month. Very informational with nice illustrations.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very good book for kids. This story is very well written and covers the topic of discrimination very well. What a great book for some great learning and discussions.

[McKayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book! It is a good one that boys would be into. Themes: Equality and Tolerance.

[Bethany Livengood · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good story line about racism and playing baseball. This book would work as a read aloud and would spark great conversation among students/children.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book to read during Civil Rights unit. May capture the interests of students interested in sports. Also the recipient of the Coretta Scott King award.
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[Shayne Cope · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting and fantastic in portraying segregation. Could easily be used for children to learn about civil rights and empathy.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspirational true story that provides many opportunities for discussion.