Bill Wise, an avid baseball fan, is also the author of Lee & Low's Silent Star: The Story of Deaf Major Leaguer William Hoy. Wise and his family live in Gorham, Maine.

Bill Farnsworth is the illustrator of more than fifty children's books. His work has received numerous awards and honors, including Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, American Bookseller Pick of the Lists, and selection for the Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. Farnsworth's warmly-lit oil paintings gracefully illuminate the Maine landscape and Sockalexis's days on the baseball diamond. Farnsworth lives with his family in Venice, Florida. Visit him online at billfarnsworth.com.

"Wise conveys the tension and drama of the Spiders-Giants game. . . Balancing close-range portraits of the player and depictions of on-the-diamond action, Farnsworth's light-infused oil paintings impart the emotional tenor and the triumph of Louis's early years and regrettably brief major league career." -- Publishers Weekly

"Wise and Farnsworth collaborate to great effect in rendering this story both informative and poignant. The color-drenched paintings do an excellent job of bringing this period to life and capturing the intense emotion of the ballpark drama. This finely crafted look at a little-known sports pioneer should intrigue a wide audience of readers." -- School Library Journal

"Farnsworth imparts a strong sense of character and period by posing his slender, dignified, smooth-skinned athlete in old-time uniforms against hazy historical settings." -- Kirkus Reviews

"There are a number of books about the difficulties African American baseball players faced in their efforts to participate in America's pastime. Here's the story of a Native American, who also dealt with prejudice in the early days of the game. . . the story of the Penobscot boy who fell in love with baseball and endured the jeers and taunts of crowds and teammates is illustrated powerfully by Farnsworth." -- Booklist

"Sockalexis encountered racial taunts, injury and the disapproval of his father to become one of the best players - and certainly one of the greatest Native players - in baseball history. . . This is a wonderful scripted narrative of one of the early pioneers in Native American sports history, suitable for every boy and girl who dreams of diamond glory." -- Native Peoples Magazine

"A Penobscot Indian, Louis played briefly for the Cleveland Spiders in the late 1890s. Racism followed him wherever he competed, but he proved that he belonged in the sport not only with his bat and glove, but with his quiet dignity and courage. . . Bill Farnsworth's warm oil paintings shed light on the story. An inspiring tale, much like that of Jackie Robinson." -- Plain Dealer

Best Children's Books of the Year - Bank Street College of Education
Carter G. Woodson Award - National Council for the Social Studies (NCSS)
Notable Books for a Global Society - International Literacy Association (ILA)