The Value of Courage: The Story of Jackie Robinson

In this installment of the ValueTales series, Spencer Johnson teaches us the value of courage by examining the life of Jackie Robinson (1919-1872). When Jackie was a young boy, he could run faster, jump higher, and throw a ball harder than anyone else on his block. As Jackie became interested in baseball, he noticed that there weren't any black players on major league teams. When he learned that black players were not allowed on the teams, Jackie didn't think this was fair. He worked hard to become the best baseball player he could. And he didn't stop trying because some people didn't want a black man like him to play. In 1947 Jackie Robinson became the first black player in major league baseball, opening the way for many others after him. Like other books in the ValueTales series, this book uses a real-life person to exemplify an important value. It is suitable for reading by children in the later elementary school grades. A "Historical Facts" section at the book's end summarizes Robinson's life in a single-page bio form suitable for adults. Closing quote: "You may not become one of the greatest baseball players of all time, but you can do something just as important. You can learn the value of courage by doing what is hard for you to do. Then you can be happier too, just like our courageous friend Jackie Robinson." (pp. 61-62)

This biography is part of a several volume set put out by, I believe, the Menninger Foundation years ago. They ought to reissue it. I have used the values and biographies for many age groups from third grade up. The series includes Abraham Lincoln, Margaret Mead, Ralph Bunch, Will Rogers - value of humor, and others. Excellent.

Great great book. It was a nice conversation starter with my early reader. She admires him and has learned an historical lesson.