Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos by Alonso, Nathalie

Included in NPR's Books We Love 2024 List
The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2024
A Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books of 2024

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 espa?ol.

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.

Author: Nathalie Alonso
Publisher: Calkins Creek Books
Published: 08/27/2024
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.10lbs
Size: 11.30h x 9.40w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781635928112
Audience: Ages 9-12

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 551724 / Call Me Roberto! Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 06/01/2024 pg. 70
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2024
Publishers Weekly 07/08/2024
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2024
School Library Journal 08/01/2024 pg. 103
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2024 pg. 93

About the Author
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