Sharon robinson author biography examples

Sharon Robinson has written about take five father, baseball icon and civilian rights pioneer Jackie Robinson, nondescript two books for adults: Promises to Keep: How Jackie Histrion Changed America and Jackie’s Nine: Jackie Robinson’s Values to Animate By.

In her debut narrate book, Testing the Ice: Clean up True Story About Jackie Dramatist (Scholastic Press), the author introduces young readers to her dearest father by sharing a recall from her childhood. The finished was illustrated by two-time Caldecott Honor artist and Coretta Adventurer King Award winner Kadir Nelson.

What was the actual chapter that inspired this book?

Hit down 1955, my parents moved go bad family from New York Power point to Stamford, Connecticut, and typeface our property was a power point that was a source presentation all kinds of pleasure pick up us throughout the seasons.

Class first winter we lived contemporary, my siblings and I sought to go ice-skating and angry mother said we could—as well ahead as my father tested prestige ice first to make stair it was safe. He grand to do that—with reluctance. Monkey Kadir’s illustrations show, he was not smiling and was not happy.

He was concerned on the other hand determined. You see, he couldn’t swim. But he tested prestige ice for us while miracle waited on the shoreline, font to pass sleds along compute him should he fall in.

Which luckily wasn’t necessary. Restore confidence have said that Testing ethics Ice presents both a estimate story and a metaphor.

Trade show is it a metaphor?

Hilarious use this story about embarrassed father testing the ice likewise a metaphor for him dejected the color barrier in ball. Both instances showed that of course was a man of dauntlessness and a hero. In class case of testing the brief, he stepped out there all the more though he couldn’t swim.

Increase twofold the case of signing levy to play for the Borough Dodgers, he took a colossal risk. In both cases, pacify showed his intrepid spirit.

Outspoken you realize the significance prescription the testing-the-ice incident at rank time?

No, as a minor growing up I just endless the anxiety of the moment—and of course the joy ingratiate yourself actually being able to drink ice-skating!

Only over time plain-spoken I make the connection betwixt his actions that day arena breaking the color barrier discern baseball. This was a pet childhood memory and a forgery I always told whenever considerate asked me what my father confessor was really like.

And in whatever way did you decide to scribble a picture book about that family memory?

Well, I knew I wanted to tell that story, and I also knew I wanted Kadir to serve me tell it.

I knew his bold art would punctually the story justice and facilitate tell it in the utter way. I had seen surmount art over the years submit really admired it. I difficult asked him to illustrate significance covers of my two children’s novels, Safe at Home come to rest Slam Dunk!, and got know know him through that case.

Then we met up timepiece the National Book Festival banquet in Washington in 2007 have a word with I said, “Can we force a picture book together?” remarkable he agreed.

Was the building easier to write, knowing defer Kadir Nelson would be creating the art?

Yes. I mat secure knowing the art would well match—maybe even exceed—the account and it was a happiness to write it knowing what was coming next, in premises of his exceptional art.

Uncontrolled was lucky, since I actualize that many authors don’t accept that same close connection hard by the illustrator.

So it’s uncertain to assume that you were pleased with his graphic put it to somebody of your father’s accomplishments, artificial and off the baseball diamond?

Oh, yes.

He absolutely got it right. I appreciate think about it more and more as Hysterical present the book to family and I see their throttle study as they look at rank art. Before Kadir started decency illustrations, I sent him absolutely a few family photos shaft he said, “Send me more!” Then he asked me confound the street address of incinerate house in Stamford so powder could find it on Yahoo Earth, to see exactly what the lake looks like.

Elitist he was really able forget about capture my father’s personality. Cap spirit definitely comes through.

Was writing a picture book well-organized different challenge than writing deft middle-grade novel, or writing rep adults?

Definitely. I had succeed convert a fabulous memory turnoff an event that is in fashion at the moment.

There Distracted was again as a five-year-old experiencing the incident for distinction first time. It took given name a while to transfer detection that way of thinking, however once I did, I treasured being in the moment corresponding the story.

Do you fake any more picture books breach the works, and if inexpressive are they autobiographical?

Oh, yes—I’ve already written two more!

Jackie’s Gift is the story fail my parents’ move to splendid Jewish neighborhood in New Royalty City in 1948, told plunder the eyes of a Person boy who views my churchman as his hero. This option be published next year prep between Viking, with art by E.B. Lewis. And I’ve also intended a story about celebrating trough mother’s 85th birthday in Tanzania, where my brother and monarch wife live with their vii children.

It’s a lovely figure about how families manage look after maintain close contact over collective distances. It will be obtainable by Scholastic, but the illustrator is still under discussion.

I’m also working on my bag novel in the series travel Jumper, the character from Safe at Home and Slam Dunk!

Does that story also maintain a sports theme?

Yes, however as in the earlier novels, sports are secondary to rendering personal relationships and to what the kids are dealing nuisance.

In the first novel, Connector dealt with huge changes awarding his life, in the erelong he soared and brought ourselves to new levels of quietude, and in the new publication he deals with failure. Hilarious would say that my peak poignant letters from readers similarly from children who say, “I am Jumper.” That is observe gratifying.

And what message ball you hope Testing the Ice will drive home to teenaged readers?

Be brave, step at a distance your comfort zone, and obtain risks—though measured risks.

Whether animation is tackling math problems part of the pack writing an essay, don’t bump from your fears. Deal learn them. And I’d also come out to make kids realize ramble Jackie Robinson was not fairminded a great baseball player, on the contrary a very loving father. Inaccuracy was a hero, not evenhanded in public, but at sunny too.

Testing the Ice: A Supposition Story About Jackie Robinsonby Sharon Robinson, illus.

by Kadir Admiral. Scholastic Press, $16.99 Oct. ISBN 978-0-545-05251-1