Weight As of 10/21: 
In the early 1950s, legendary baseball hero Jackie Robinson literally “tested the ice” for his kids who so eagerly wanted to skate on the frozen lake near their home. Testing the Ice is a stunning metaphor for Robinson’s remarkable racial breakthrough.
This book review is based on a promotional copy provided to me thanks to Scholastic. I was immediately drawn in by Kadir Nelson's compelling illustrations and found myself imagining the rural descriptions contained in the book. Through this storybook I was able to relive moments of Jackie Robinson's life and piece together tidbits and anecdotes I've been told over the years by people who personally crossed paths with this sports pioneer. As my sports-enthusiast son is in high school I had the less than enviable task of testing the book out of my princess, fairy, Dora and Diego loving daughter. Although at the age of three, she wasn't able to grasp the full content of the story but she sat attentive as I read to her and waiting eagerly for me to turn each page to see what picture was coming next. By story's end she understood the overarching theme of not being afraid to do things that need to be done.
The Giveaway:
In conjunction with Big Honcho Media, Makes Me Wanna Holler will be giving away four (4) beautiful hardcover copies of Testing The Ice. This is just in time for the holidays and will make a great gift for a young one who loves to read.
Entries can be one or all of the following:
- Leave a comment about why you would like a copy of Testing The Ice for your child(ren). (This doesn't have to be long and drawn out. The simpler, the better.)
- Leave a comment about your love of baseball or Jackie Robinson or a Jackie Robinson anecdote.
- Tweet about this contest and include my handle, @MakesMeHoller, in your tweet (please leave a comment here to let me know you've tweeted).
You can do any or all of the above as many times as you like. And of course I'm always open to you, my loyal readers, spreading the word about Makes Me Wanna Holler (but this isn't a requirement for this giveaway).
Winners will be chosen by Random.org.
This contest will begins today Friday, November 13, 2009 at the time of this posting, 12:15 p.m. (EST) and ends at 12:15 a.m. on Friday, November 20, 2009. You must be either: a US citizen or have a US mailing address to enter. No purchase necessary to enter.
This contest is now CLOSED. The winners will be mentioned in a blog post on Monday, November 23, 2009.
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7 Holler Backs:
A real nice story. Thanks for posting!!
I'm a white mom to 5 brown kids (and 1 white one). We like to keep as many books around with characters that "match" our kids as possible. Thanks for having a giveaway! I'm having one too, if you want to visit.. www.watchingthewaters.wordpress.com
I love Kadir Nelson's illustrations, and it would be a great addition to my growing children's book collection.
Baseball love: GO YANKEES... for this year and each year to come. I remember going to many, many games at the old stadium in my youth.
My almost 3 yr. old son would love this book, esp. since he just recently interested in ice skating. I also love Kadir Nelson's illustrations, we have two books that he illustrated in our kiddie library already!
I would like it for my kids because I am always looking for new ways to teach a lesson. I think they'd like it.
It's only 11:45 out here on the west coast, so I think I'm making it under the gun, technically speaking. Anyway, here's why I'd love a copy of the book. As a young boy my love of baseball quickly translated into a love of reading about baseball, and as I read about men like Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Jackie Robinson, Willie Mays, and Hank Aaron, I learned about more than just baseball. And so now that I'm a father, those men who were my childhood heroes help me to teach my children about the realities of prejudice and segregation.
Even if I'm not lucky enough to win a copy of the book from you, I still look forward to reading this book one day with my kids. Thanks for letting us know about it.
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