A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson

I did like reading this book. One thing I really liked about this book was the language the author used. She wrote the way that people speak; for example, she says "I knew grandma wasn't having no baby" and "she musta believed me on the spot". Another reason I liked the language is because it is very descriptive. She says she's played baseball in "smelly cow pastures where we had to step gingerly and wait for the dirt clods to be plowed smooth by lop-eared mules". This really helps paint a picture in the children's heads so they can see the setting they are reading about. The last reason I liked this book was because they actually used real photographs of the people and scenes in the book instead of cartoons. I like this aspect in a show more children's book because they get to see what the characters actually looked like. This book obviously teaches children about segregation, but the main idea is believing in yourself and not giving up, no matter how many people doubt you. show less

Mamie "Peanut" Johnson was one of only three women to play professional baseball. During the 1940's baseball was still a segregated sport and Mamie was a pitcher for the Negro League Indianapolis Clowns team. She tells the story of how she grew up playing baseball, how she loved baseball and how she and the other women were treated at the time. The novelty of women playing professional baseball will easily help younger students understand how it may have felt to have segregated teams.

I am a sucker for anything baseball and the Negro Leagues fascinate me. I think it's really interesting that women were able to play in the Negro Leagues, but Major Leage Baseball has yet to have a woman play. The story moved really well, sometimes show more skipping years or condensing so that the pacing was right. show less

Darn! I can't believe I didn't check to see if this book was out in paperback before I bought two copies! Live and learn. A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson is a biography written in the first voice by a 2nd person, Michelle Green. It's an unusual process but it works well in this book.

Mamie Johnson was one of three women who played in the Negro Leagues. The All American League (thinkA League of our own) wasn't interested in Negro women. Mamie was a tough pitcher who learned her curveball from Satchel Paige.

A great story but there was a missing section of Mamie's life between her playing in the PAL league in New Jersey and having finished high school and living back with her mother in DC. I understand that some show more things must be cut for space considerations but I would have liked to see that part of her life. show less

This biography of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson, a female baseball player who played for the Negro Leagues, is both interesting and informative. I learned about a fantastic woman that I had never even heard of before. Mamie's story is an inspiring one. From a pretty young age, she loved playing baseball. Not softball. Hardball. But gaining acceptance in a man's sport was not easy, especially since she is black and this was in the 1950s when many things were still segregated. Shunned from the All-American Girls' Baseball League, she eventually earns her way onto the Indianapolis Clowns, a team in the Negro League. Mamie truly shows that you can achieve any dream as long as you work hard and don't give up.

This book is a good read it allows students to know that whatever they put their minds to they can do it.

Recommended Ages: Gr. 2-5

Plot Summary: Mamie is living with her grandma and Uncle on a farm in South Carolina, but when her grandmother suddenly passes, Mamie is forced to live with other relatives in New Jersey. She watches some white boys play ball and they tease her, but she takes her families advice and tries to get what she wants: to play baseball. She goes to the police department to ask if there are any laws against her playing on the team, and the police officer she talks to is the coach. He lets her try out unofficially and then has her join the team. Mamie plays baseball on teams for years wanting nothing more than to be a professional. She and Rita show up to tryouts and they are intimidated by the manager and walk away. She show more keeps playing hoping a scout will find her, and finally it happens. She plays on the Indianapolis Clowns as one of two female players. The guys respect her and watch out for her when they're out on the road. She finally realizes she needs something to do when she's done playing baseball and becomes a registered nurse just as the Negro League is crumbling apart.

Setting: South Carolina, New Jersey, Indianapolis

Characters:
Mamie "Peanut" Johnson - works in a Negro League Baseball Shop now
Leo - AKA Bones, Mamie's uncle but similar age to Mamie and they were more like brother and sister, taught Mamie everything she knows including a knuckleball right before Mamie left for New Jersey
Cendonia Belton - Mamie's grandma, Mamie was living with her for a while because her mom couldn't work and take care of Mamie
Rita Jones - played with Mamie at St. Cyprian's sandlot team
Bish Tyson - scout for Indianapolis Clowns
Mr. Haywood - manager of the Indianapolis Clowns
Bunny Downs - Clowns business manager, also helped find Hank Aaron
Toni Stone - other female player on the Clowns
Connie Morgan - replaced Toni Stone on the team

Recurring Themes: baseball, race, Negro League, family, segregation

Controversial Issues: none

Personal Thoughts: Simple biography. No sub plots or anything too deep, but still covers the important facts about segregation in the time period.

Genre: Biography

Pacing: medium, quick read because it's for young kids, not a whole lot of suspense or action, no climax and the problem (will Mamie find a team?) doesn't create too much suspense
Characters:
Frame: explained within the story
Storyline:

Activity: show less

Mamie Johnson loves baseball.