Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow
Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1997
96
Biography • Nonfiction
American South • 1930s
1997
Middle grade
10-14 years
Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow by James Sturm follows Emmet Wilson, a black sharecropper and former baseball player, during the Jim Crow era as he attempts to raise his son amid severe racial oppression. The story highlights two pivotal encounters with legendary pitcher Satchel Paige—once as a young batter in the Negro Leagues and later at a game where Paige triumphs over an all-white team—inspiring hope and resilience in Wilson's son. The narrative also explores the harsh realities of sharecropping and racial violence.
Inspirational
Mysterious
Gritty
1,196 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
James Sturm's graphic novel, Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow, receives praise for its powerful depiction of racial struggles in the early 20th century. Critics laud the evocative illustrations and historical depth. However, some feel the storyline underutilizes Paige's larger-than-life persona. Overall, it’s an insightful and impactful read despite minor narrative limitations.
Readers who enjoy Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow by James Sturm are likely enthusiasts of graphic novels, historical fiction, and sports biographies. Fans of March by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin or Boxers & Saints by Gene Luen Yang will appreciate its vivid portrayal of racial struggles and baseball’s rich history.
1,196 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
96
Biography • Nonfiction
American South • 1930s
1997
Middle grade
10-14 years
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