Swanson, Karen L. Swinging Into History: Toni Stone: Big-League Baseball’s First Woman Player. Laura Freeman, Illus. Calkins Creek, 08/2024. [40]pp. Biography. Trade $18.99. 978-1-63592-813-6. GRADES 2–5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Marcenia (Toni) Stone is considered the first female to play for a professional big league baseball team, joining the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues, replacing Hank Aaron. This picture book biography describes her journey, facing discrimination and other obstacles to reach her dream. After retirement, Stone lived and coached high school baseball in Oakland, CA. The text is a little too long to use as a classroom readaloud, but works well for independent readers. The full-color digital artwork adds details to the text, and page decorations include boxed quotations from Stone. Back matter includes a detailed author’s note containing more information on Stone, a timeline, two b&w photos, and extensive bibliography. This will be a great asset during Black History and Women’s History months, or for displays on baseball. Review based on an ARC.
Penny Peck—San José State University, iSchool