In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson

Written by Bette Bao Lord and Marc Simont

An immigrant girl finds hope and belonging through baseball in 1947 America.

3.9 Goodreads · 6,801 ratings

176 pages· 26,776 words· Est. 3 hour read· 730L

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Bookroo's summary

Shirley Temple Wong arrives in Brooklyn from China, struggling to fit in without knowing English. It's 1947, and baseball becomes her unexpected bridge to friendship and belonging. Inspired by Jackie Robinson's groundbreaking achievements with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Shirley discovers that America might truly be the land of opportunity. As she navigates her new world, will she find her place and break down the barriers in her path? Join Shirley on her journey of dreams, challenges, and the magic of baseball.

From the publisher

Shirley Temple Wong sails from China to America with a heart full of dreams. Her new home is Brooklyn, New York. America is indeed a land full of wonders, but Shirley doesn’t know any English, so it’s hard to make friends. Then a miracle - baseball - happens. It is 1947, and Jackie Robinson, star of the Brooklyn Dodgers, is everyone’s hero. Jackie Robinson is proving that a black man, the grandson of a slave, can make a difference in America. And for Shirley as well, on the ball field and off, America becomes the land of opportunity.

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