Plot Summary

Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow

James Sturm
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Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow

Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1997

Book Brief

James Sturm

Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow

Nonfiction | Biography | Middle Grade | Published in 1997
Book Details
Pages

96

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

American South • 1930s

Publication Year

1997

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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Super Short Summary

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

Reviews & Readership

3.9

1,196 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

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.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow?

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.

3.9

1,196 ratings

64%

Loved it

27%

Mixed feelings

10%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

96

Format

Biography • Nonfiction

Setting

American South • 1930s

Publication Year

1997

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

10-14 years

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