A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book
ALSC Notable Children's Book
A BCCB Blue Ribbon
Horn Book Fanfare 2024
2025 NCSS-CBC Notable Social Studies Book Winner
NPR's Books We Love List 2024
New York Public Library Best Book 2024
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2024
Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids 2024
Included on the 2025 ALSC Día Reading List

Here is the inspirational story of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente--not Bob--who endured years of racism and discrimination to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time.

★ School Library Journal, starred review
★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review
★ Publishers Weekly, starred review
★ The Horn Book, starred review

Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn't have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field--hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke español.

This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente's career as he fought racism--from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport--to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente's contributions to Black, Latino, and American history.

Author: Nathalie Alonso
Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Calkins Creek Books
Published: 08/27/2024
Pages: 40
Weight: 1.1lbs
Size: 11.30h x 9.40w x 0.50d
ISBN: 9781635928112

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 4.3
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Middle Grade
Quiz #/Name: 551724 / Call Me Roberto! Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos


Award: 2025 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Honor Book - Children's Book


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 06/01/2024 pg. 70
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 07/01/2024
Publishers Weekly 07/08/2024
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2024
School Library Journal 08/01/2024 pg. 103
Horn Book Magazine 09/01/2024 pg. 93
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2024 - Outstanding, Noteworthy In Style

About the Author
Nathalie Alonso is a Cuban American bilingual writer and journalist based in New York City. A seasoned baseball reporter, her writing has appeared in National Geographic, Outside, and Refinery29, among other outlets. She is currently a reporter and producer at MLB.com's Spanish-language sister site, LasMayores.com.

Rudy Gutierrez is an artist and children's book illustrator. He received the Pura Belpre Honor for Illustration for his work on Papa and Me by Arthur Dorros, a Caldecott Honor for Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney, and the Américas Book Award for Pelé, King of Soccer by Monica Brown, among many other honors. Rudy teaches illustration at the Pratt Institute School of Design in New York City.