Let Them Play Contributor(s): Raven, Margot Theis (Author), Ellison, Chris (Illustrator) |
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ISBN: 1585362603 ISBN-13: 9781585362608 Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press OUR PRICE: $17.09 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: August 2005 Annotation: Raven and Ellison tell the true story of an all-black Little League team formed in 1955 in segregated Charleston, South Carolina, that was not allowed to participate in the Little League World Series. |
Additional Information |
BISAC Categories: - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics - Prejudice & Racism - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places - United States - African-american - Juvenile Nonfiction | Sports & Recreation - Baseball & Softball |
Dewey: 796.357 |
LCCN: 2004027298 |
Lexile Measure: 1100 |
Series: True Story |
Physical Information: 0.39" H x 9.38" W x 11.52" (0.95 lbs) 32 pages |
Themes: - Chronological Period - 1950's - Cultural Region - South - Ethnic Orientation - African American - Geographic Orientation - South Carolina - Locality - Charleston, South Carolina |
Accelerated Reader Info |
Quiz #: 101491 Reading Level: 5.2 Interest Level: Lower Grades Point Value: 0.5 |
Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
Publisher Description: 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. This summer will mark 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. |