Just Like Josh Gibson

Title: Just Like Josh Gibson
Author: Angela Johnson
Illustrated: Beth Peck
Published: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers, New York
Date: 2004
Summary; A young girl's grandmother tells her of her love for baseball and the day they let her play in the game.
Age Level: Primary (Kindergarten to 2)
Strenths: I like the chalk and oil pastels that cover the entire pages of the book, as well as the text that was all around (some of the text were one the top hand corner of the pages, and some were on the bottom,). It was big, clear and concise so that the reader could see it more easily. I also liked the plot of the story. You see, there are two main issue that are brought up. One is about segregation and how not a lot of African Americans were limited in playing baseball. Girls were also not allowed to play baseball in the 1940s. However, the grandmother loved baseball so much, she didn't care. It was a revolution that broke the gender and race barrier (before Jackie Robinson). It gives a good message that anyone, no matter what color or gender they are can do anything, if they believe in themselves.
Concerns: The title was Just Like Josh Gibson, and he was presented at the beginning of the book. However, you didn't see him after the grandmother was born. It's also a question, whether Josh Gibson was the grandmother's father because two pictures of Josh Gibson and her father looked identical. I think there could have been more about Josh Gibson within the story itself besides his background at the very end of the story (where most readers stop and do not read).
Comments: This is a great encouragement story about how anyone can do anything if they believe in themselves.