Let Them Play

By Margot Theis Raven

Book Overview

Segregated Charleston, SC, 1955: There are 62 official Little League programs in South Carolina -- all but one of the leagues is composed entirely of white players. The Cannon Street YMCA All-Stars, an all-black team, is formed in the hopes of playing in the state's annual Little League Tournament. What should have been a time of enjoyment, however, turns sour when all of the other leagues refuse to play against them and even pull out of the program. As the only remaining Little League team in the state, Cannon Street was named state winner by default, giving the boys a legitimate spot in the Little League Baseball World Series held in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. While the Cannon Street team is invited to the game as guests, they are not allowed to participate since they have not officially "played" and won their state's tournament. Let Them Play takes its name from the chant shouted by the spectators who attended the World Series final. Author Margot Theis Raven recounts the inspiring tales of the Cannon Street All-Stars as they arrived in Williamsport, PA and never got the chance to play for the title thanks to the bigotry and ignorance of the South Carolina teams. Winning by forfeit, the Cannon Streeters were subsequently not allowed to participate in Williamsburg because they had not "played" their way into the tournament. Let Them Play is an important civil rights story in American history with an even more important message about equality and tolerance. It's a tale of humanity against the backdrop of America's favorite pastime that's sure to please fans of the sport and mankind. This summer will mark the 50th year since the fans' shouts of Let Them Play fell on deaf ears and 14 boys learned a cruel lesson in backwards politics and prejudice. This book can help teach us a new lesson and assure something like this never happens again.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1585362603
• ISBN13: 9781585362608
• Release Date: June 2005
• Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
• Length: 32 Pages
• Weight: 1.02 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 9.4" x 11.5"
• Age Range: 6 to 9 years
• Grade Range: Grades 1 to 4

Customer Reviews

Let Them Play

Margot Theis Raven hit a home run with this book. This is a true story about the 1955 Little League Tournament. Raven does an excellent job depicting how segregated the game was back then. Every child should read this book or have this book read to them so they can understand what discrimination is and how it makes people feel. This book reminds us how far we have come as a country and we should be greatful to live with the freedoms we have in today's society.

Let Them Play - Hits a Home Run!

Margot Theis Raven shares with us a forgotten 1955 event - when adults allowed racism to prevent the African American Cannon Street All-Stars from playing other Little League teams in South Carolina for the Little League World Series. I'm not a baseball fan. Yet, my eyes welled when reading this book about a team of 14 black boys who wanted nothing more than to play baseball. Margot Raven captures the 1950s in words. She reminds us of the pride and support the black community had for the Cannon Street All-Stars. Chris Ellison's illustrations transports us to 2nd base, to joyful pillow fights, and to a stadium chanting, "Let Them Play." Excellent gift for children and baseball fans of all ages!

PLACE THIS IN EVERY SCHOOL

As a white man born only one year before this travesty of "sportsmanship" took place I cannot begin to tell people how important it is that this story be told not just to my generation who grew up in the begiinings of the civil rights, no the HUMAN rights, movements, but even more important, to the children of today. What could easily become an "oh poor us" story is not. It is a story of a wonderful bunch of kids who just wanted to play. "Let Them Play" is something you won't soon forget. Read it, give one to a kid and put one in a school library!