EIG, Jonathan. Opening day; the story of Jackie Robinson's first season.

EIG, Jonathan. Opening day; the story of Jackie Robinson's first season. Read by Richard Allen. 10 cds. 12 hrs. Tantor Media. 2007. 978-1-4001-0434-5. $34.99. Vinyl; content, author, reader notes. JSA 

This is the story of Jackie Robinson, an athletically gifted, articulate and sensitive man. who was chosen by Brooklyn Dodger owner Branch Rickey to be the first African American baseball player to play at the major league level. Initially he was shunned by most of his teammates, racially taunted by other players and managers, and denied hotel and restaurant accommodations as he traveled with his team. His most daunting task was to hold back his anger and let his ball playing speak for itself, and this is exactly what he did over a dynamic ten-year career. Even some sports writers and announcers gave Robinson a difficult time, but he slowly gained the acceptance of the press and most of his fellow athletes. Reader Allen has a richly resonant voice. Although he tends to read in a somewhat singsong style and often mispronounces names of ballplayers, nothing can detract from the inspirational story of Number 42 (which, incidentally, is the only uniform number that has been retired by every major league team). A smattering of offensive language. Miles Klein, Frisco, TX

J--Recommended for junior high students. The contents are of particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

A--Recommended for advanced students and adults. This code will help librarians and teachers working in high schools where there are honors and advanced placement students. This also will help extend KLIATT's usefulness in public libraries.