Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9780593406472)

The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native pro baseball players to face off in a World Series. This picture book teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports.

Charles Bender grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota. John Meyers was raised on the Cahuilla reservation in Southern California. Despite their mutual respect for each other's talents and their shared dedication to Native representation in baseball, the media was determined to pit them against each other.

However, they never gave up on their dreams of being pro baseball players and didn't let the supposed rivalry created by the media or the racism they faced within the stadium stop them. They continued to break barriers and went on to play a combined total of nine championships.

With text by Traci Sorell and illustrations by Arigon Starr that brings these two players to life, the stories of John Meyers and Charles Bender remain an inspiration for achieving and maintaining one's dreams in the face of prejudice.

Author: Traci Sorell
ISBN-10: 0593406478
ISBN-13: 9780593406472
Publisher: Kokila
Language: English
Published: 04/11/2023
Pages: 48
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 11.26h x 9.06w x 0.47d

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 5.7
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 523007 / Contenders: Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

Award: American Indian Youth Literature Award - Honor Book

Review Citation(s):
Booklist 02/01/2023 pg. 48
Kirkus Reviews 03/01/2023
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2023
Horn Book Magazine 03/01/2023 pg. 101
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2023 - Superior,Well Above Average