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Contenders by Traci Sorell
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Contenders

Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

Two Native Baseball Players, One World Series

By Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Arigon Starr

By Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Arigon Starr

By Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Arigon Starr

By Traci Sorell
Illustrated by Arigon Starr

By Traci Sorell
Read by Traci Sorell

By Traci Sorell
Read by Traci Sorell

Best Seller
Hardcover $19.99

Apr 11, 2023 | ISBN 9780593406472 | 6-9 years

Ebook $11.99

Apr 11, 2023 | ISBN 9780593406489 | 6-9 years

Audiobook Download $5.00

Jun 18, 2024 | 20 Minutes | 6-9 years

All Formats
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    Contenders by Traci Sorell
    Hardcover $19.99
    Apr 11, 2023 | ISBN 9780593406472

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    • $19.99

      Apr 11, 2023 | ISBN 9780593406472 | 6-9 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Apr 11, 2023 | ISBN 9780593406489 | 6-9 years

      Buy from Other Retailers:

    • Jun 18, 2024 | ISBN 9780593663899 | 6-9 years

      20 Minutes

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    About Contenders

    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.

    About Contenders

    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.

    About Contenders

    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 audiobook 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 prose by Traci Sorell 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.

    Listen to a sample from Contenders

    Also by Traci Sorell

    Being Home
    She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
    At the Mountain's Base
    At the Mountain's Base (Cherokee edition)
    See all books by Traci Sorell

    Also by Traci Sorell

    Being Home
    She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
    At the Mountain's Base
    At the Mountain's Base (Cherokee edition)
    See all books by Traci Sorell

    Also by Traci Sorell

    Being Home
    She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller
    At the Mountain's Base
    At the Mountain's Base (Cherokee edition)
    See all books by Traci Sorell

    About Traci Sorell

    Best-selling author Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree and an award-winning audiobook narrator and producer. Eight of… More about Traci Sorell

    About Traci Sorell

    Best-selling author Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree and an award-winning audiobook narrator and producer. Eight of… More about Traci Sorell

    About Traci Sorell

    Best-selling author Traci Sorell writes inclusive, award-winning historical and contemporary fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree and an award-winning audiobook narrator and producer. Eight of… More about Traci Sorell

    Product Details

    Category: Children’s Nonfiction | Children’s Picture Books

    Hardcover | $19.99
    Published by Kokila
    Apr 11, 2023 | 48 Pages | 11 x 9 | 6-9 years | ISBN 9780593406472

    Category: Children’s Nonfiction | Children’s Picture Books

    Ebook | $11.99
    Published by Kokila
    Apr 11, 2023 | 48 Pages | 6-9 years | ISBN 9780593406489

    Category: Children’s Nonfiction | Audiobooks

    Audiobook Download | $5.00
    Published by Listening Library
    Jun 18, 2024 | 20 Minutes | 6-9 years | ISBN 9780593663899

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    Praise

    PRAISE FOR CONTENDERS
    By Traci Sorell and Arigon Starr

    A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of 2023
    A New York Public Library Best Books of 2023
    American Indians in Children’s Literature (AICL) Best of 2023 List
    2024 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List (Unanimous Recommendations)
    ILA 2024 Notable Books for a Global Society
    2024 American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Honor
    NCSS-CBC 2024 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
    2024 Bank Street Best Children’s Books



    *“A lesser-known but significant encounter with all-too-current resonances.” —Kirkus, starred review

    “. . . an excellent addition to the sports shelves as well as diversity units.” —Booklist

    “This has broad appeal for history buffs, sports fans, and social-justice minded kids.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books


    PRAISE FOR AT THE MOUNTAIN’S BASE
    By Traci Sorell and Weshoyot Alvitre

    *“A first purchase for any library.” —School Library Journal, starred review

    *“Captures the emotions of families separated by war while introducing the reader to a part of history that is often erased.” —Horn Book, starred review

    *“The meditative text is lovely, and the artwork brings the small Cherokee abode to life with warmth and love.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

    Awards

    AILA – American Indian Youth Literature Award HONOR 2024

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