Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball's First Woman Player
Published by Calkins Creek (2024-08-06)
"Debut author Karen L. Swanson teams up with the illustrator Laura Freeman to follow Stone from her local park to the Negro leagues... ‘Swinging Into History’... bring(s) attention to (Toni Stone’s) extraordinary contributions to the game...” —The New York Times Book Review
"Marcenia 'Tomboy' Stone lived, loved, and breathed baseball...Her big break came when she was selected to replace Hank Aaron on the Indianapolis Clowns in the Negro League—the first woman to play professional baseball. In an author’s note, baseball enthusiast Swanson expands on the racism and gender discrimination Stone faced. Stone’s words appear on banners across the bold, energetic illustrations by Freeman...as well as those from the press...all of which round out this upbeat tribute. A welcome addition to the annals of women’s sports." —Kirkus Reviews
"The narrative is appealing; well-chosen quotes from Stone are presented on certain pages alongside Freeman’s engaging digital illustrations. From childhood dream to hard-won achievements, Stone’s story unfolds as a picturebook with a happy ending. In the extensive back matter, Swanson makes clear how difficult and demoralizing Stone’s path really was. An inspirational biography for baseball fans." —Booklist