(4) 4-6 Robinson has rich material to plumb in her story of the friendship between her African American father, Jackie, and the Jewish, hero-worshiping eight-year-old who lived two doors away in 1948 Brooklyn. Unfortunately, her writing about the moments of high emotion attendant to such a relationship is interspersed with awkward speeches about discrimination, prejudice, perseverance, and the like. A strong premise, hampered by earnestness.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(4) K-3 Illustrated by AG Ford. Robinson draws on her own experiences in this story about a family reunion in Tanzania to celebrate a special birthday. The extended, bi-continental family reflects on its ancestors' capture and forced emigration from Africa to enslavement in the U.S. Ford's paintings convey the loving family's bond. An author's note, map, glossary of Swahili words, and family photos enhance the lengthy, purposeful text.

Reviewer: Lauren Causey

(3) 4-6 The author's special insight and family photographs provide a unique profile of her father, Jackie Robinson. Short chapters detail her grandmother's work raising five children; Jackie's honorable discharge from the army; his meeting with Brooklyn Dodgers president, Branch Rickey; and his work with the civil rights movement. Accessible and personal, the volume is a strong introduction to the baseball legend. Glos.

Reviewer: Carrie Harasimowicz Sullivan

(4) K-3 Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. In this holiday book based on a true story, young baseball fan Steve Satlow is thrilled when Jackie Robinson moves into his 1940s Brooklyn neighborhood. When a misunderstanding arises over why Steve doesn't have a Christmas tree (the Satlows are Jewish), it results in a lasting friendship between the families. While the prose is labored, the story, accompanied by soft watercolors, is heartwarming.

Reviewer: Martha V. Parravano

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Kadir Nelson. Jackie Robinson's daughter describes her family's Connecticut home, complete with a lake perfect for swimming and ice skating. Through the text we learn that Jackie's courage on the ball field doesn't mean he's fearless: turns out he's scared of the water. Nelson's pencil, watercolor, and oil paintings--both expressive closeups and pastoral, glowing nature scenes--reinforce the story's message about strength and bravery.

Reviewer: Elissa Gershowitz

(4) 4-6 Readers who enjoyed Safe at Home may want to discover what happens to the characters once school starts. Robinson writes a predominantly upbeat sequel about middle schoolers in Harlem playing basketball and campaigning for student council. Her dialogue is stiff ("But my mom told me Hummers are bad news for the environment") and the plot forced, but the characters are relatable.

Reviewer: Miriam Lang Budin

(3) 4-6 Jackie Robinson's daughter draws an intimate portrait of her father as child, young man, athlete, businessman, civil rights leader, and national hero. Generously illustrated with photographs and letters, Robinson's compelling text unveils the story of America's long struggle with segregation and discrimination, centering on her father's critical role in advancing the rights of blacks through his life and work. Ind.

Reviewer: CHristine Sarrazin

(4) 4-6 Written by Jackie Robinson's daughter, this book contains nine sections, each focusing on one of nine values the ballplayer lived by (courage, determination, and so on). Each section contains a scene from the author's life, one from her father's (by various writers, including Robinson himself), and a sketch of one of her heroes. Fuzzy, blue-tinted photos illustrate the diffuse, though often moving, tribute.

Reviewer: Jack Forman