Warrior on the Mound

By Sandra W. Headen

Book Overview

Narrated by twelve-year-old Cato, this intense and evocative story of racial unrest in prewar North Carolina ends with a dramatic match between white and Black little league teams.

1935. Twelve-year-old Cato wants nothing more than to play baseball, perfect his pitch, and meet Mr. Satchel Paige--the best pitcher in Negro League baseball. But when he and his teammates "trespass" on their town's whites-only baseball field for a practice, the resulting racial outrage burns like a brushfire through the entire community, threatening Cato, his family, and every one of his friends.

There's only one way this can end without violence: It has to be settled on the mound, between the white team and the Black. Winner takes all.

Written in first person with a rich, convincing voice, Warrior on the Mound is about the experience of segregation; about the tinderbox environment of the prewar South; about having a dream; about injustice, and, finally, about dialogue.

Back matter includes an author's note, historical background, biographical information about Negro League players, and more.

A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

"A HOME RUN."--School Library Journal, starred review

"NOT TO BE MISSED."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0823460657
• ISBN13: 9780823460656
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Holiday House
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.44 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 5.5" x 8.3"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7