The Stone Thrower

Richardson, the daughter of African-American quarterback Chuck Ealey, explains that her father’s knack for football began with throwing stones at passing trains during his childhood in segregated Ohio in the 1950s and ’60. James’s smudgy artwork conveys the deprivations of Ealey’s youth through thick strokes of paint and images of barren streets and cupboards; on the football field, though, Ealey is a formidable presence in a blue uniform and gold helmet. Richardson focuses on Ealey’s upbringing and early athletic career, emphasizing the value of practice and determination. A closing note fills in subsequent details, explaining that Ealey was never able to play professional football in America due to racial bias (he instead joined the Canadian Football League). Ages 5–up. [em]Author’s agent: Carly Watters, P.S. Literary Agency. Illustrator’s agent: Jackie Kaiser, Westwood Creative Artists. (May) [/em]