The Hero Two Doors Down

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 10, 2016

Review

In this historical fiction baseball novel, Robinson provides a slice of life in the 1948's through the eyes of Steve Satlow, an eight-year-old Jewish boy, who becomes neighbors to her father Jackie Robinson. Second to fifth grade readers will be inspired to explore more about Jackie Robinson. The difficulties that Jackie and his young family faced as he became the first negro baseball player to play in the Majors and move into Steve's all Jewish neighborhood are gently woven into the daily life of Stevie as he tries to behave at school to earn tickets to his first Dodgers game. Other world issues such as the Arab-Israeli War and UNICEF become part of the dinner table discussions in Steve's family, as well as baseball history and discrimination. Although these complex themes are discussed, the only momentum the story line offers is Steve's anticipation of Jackie moving into the neighborhood and earning the privilege of attending a game. Robinson provides an emotional, though unnecessary, prologue that places Steve as a 20-year-old college student who just lost his father, reminiscing about meeting Jackie for the first time. The afterword provides the true facts of the story and Robinson has included photos that add a biographical feature to the story.

Overall Book Score: very good