Jackie Robinson: Strong Inside and Out    by Time For Kids Order:  USA  Can HarperTrophy, 2005 (2005) Hardcover, Softcover      Reviewed by J. A. Kaszuba Locke The editors of Time For Kids® together with writer Denise Lewis Patrick add baseball star Jackie Robinson to an outstanding biography series for young readers. The first African American to play in the major leagues, Robinson said 'There's not an American in this country free until every one of us is free.' On the day that Robinson walked into the team owner's office, he asked, 'are you looking for a Negro who is afraid to fight back?' The owner's reply - 'I'm looking for a ballplayer with guts enough not to fight back'. Robinson began with the Montreal Royals, the Dodgers' training team in Canada. On April 15, 1947, at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn, New York, Robinson walked into the arena for his first game with the Brooklyn Dodgers. Robinson was born in 1919, with three older brothers, and a sister. Jackie's mother Mallie raised her children on a farm in Georgia. Jackie excelled in sports beyond baseball - basketball, track, tennis, and football. Athletic talent was in the family as evidenced by his brother Mack's win of a silver medal in the 1936 Olympic Games. At the University of California, Jackie was the first UCLA athlete to 'win letters in four sports'. He served in the military during World War II, and was promoted to second lieutenant. The text of Jackie Robinson's story is supplemented by photographs, and sidebars, including 'Jackie's Words to Live By'. Jackie Robinson: Strong Inside and Out features an interview with his daughter Sharon Robinson, who wrote a book about her dad entitled Promises to Keep. The Time For Kids® series is recommended to youngsters to start becoming familiar with historical, famous people. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Kids books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews