Call Me Roberto!
Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos
Published on 27. August 2024
Book
Hardback
40 pages
978-1-63592-811-2 (ISBN)
Description
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Norman A. Sugarman Children's Biography Award Honor Book
A BCCB Blue Ribbon
Horn Book Fanfare 2024
2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner
NPR’s Books We Love List 2024
New York Public Library Best Book 2024
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2024
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2024
Included on the 2025 ALSC Día Reading List
Here is the inspirational story of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente—not Bob—who endured years of racism and discrimination to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ The Horn Book, starred review
Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn’t have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field—hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke español.
This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente’s career as he fought racism—from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport—to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente’s contributions to Black, Latino, and American history.
ALSC Notable Children's Book
Norman A. Sugarman Children's Biography Award Honor Book
A BCCB Blue Ribbon
Horn Book Fanfare 2024
2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner
NPR’s Books We Love List 2024
New York Public Library Best Book 2024
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2024
Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids 2024
Included on the 2025 ALSC Día Reading List
Here is the inspirational story of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente—not Bob—who endured years of racism and discrimination to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.
★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ The Horn Book, starred review
Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn’t have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field—hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke español.
This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente’s career as he fought racism—from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport—to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente’s contributions to Black, Latino, and American history.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Target group
Children/juvenile
US School Grade: From Second Grade to Fifth Grade, Interest Age: From 7 to 10 years
Product notice
sewn/stitched
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 287 mm
Width: 239 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
499 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-63592-811-2 (9781635928112)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
08/2024
Calkins Creek
€11.49
Available for download
Persons
Nathalie Alonso is a Cuban American bilingual writer and journalist based in New York City. A seasoned baseball reporter, her writing has appeared in National Geographic, Outside, and Refinery29, among other outlets. She is currently a reporter and producer at MLB.com’s Spanish-language sister site, LasMayores.com.
Rudy Gutierrez is an artist and children’s book illustrator. He received the Pura Belpre Honor for Illustration for his work on Papa and Me by Arthur Dorros, a Caldecott Honor for Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney, and the Américas Book Award for Pelé, King of Soccer by Monica Brown, among many other honors. Rudy teaches illustration at the Pratt Institute School of Design in New York City.
Rudy Gutierrez is an artist and children’s book illustrator. He received the Pura Belpre Honor for Illustration for his work on Papa and Me by Arthur Dorros, a Caldecott Honor for Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney, and the Américas Book Award for Pelé, King of Soccer by Monica Brown, among many other honors. Rudy teaches illustration at the Pratt Institute School of Design in New York City.