CHIEF SUNRISE, JOHN MCGRAW, AND ME

Hank Cobb runs away from an abusive, dangerous father. Hank plans to try out for the New York Giants and their legendary manager, John McGraw. While sneaking a ride in a train’s boxcar, he meets another hopeful ballplayer who calls himself Chief Sunrise and claims to be a Seminole Indian. When they finally connect with McGraw, Chief gets his chance and makes the most of it. Hank becomes a batboy and good-luck charm. Hank’s father reappears and attempts to blackmail Chief into throwing games. Chief is really Charlie Burns, an African-American who could never play in the big leagues if his heritage were known. Tocher deftly mixes facts with fiction to create a well-constructed tale with strong characters. He is scrupulous in his use of era-appropriate slang and syntax and carefully remains true to time and place in all details. An author’s note further explains the racial climate of 1919 as it was reflected in baseball. Engaging and engrossing. (Historical fiction. 10-12)