21: The Story of Roberto Clemente

Author: Wilfred Santiago

Bibliographic Info:

Santiago, Wilfred. (2011). 21: The story of Roberto Clemente. Seattle: Fantagraphic Books.

Descriptive Summary:

A beautifully illustrated look into one of baseball’s greatest icons, 21 is not a pedestrian and cursory summation of Clemente’s career. Wilfred Santiago looks at the boy who would grow into one of Latin America’s most inspiring heroes and examines Clemente as a whole. From Clemente’s beginnings in Puerto Rico to his World Series win with Pittsburgh’s beloved Bucs to his unforgettable 3,000^th hit, 21 looks at every facet of the namesake of Major League Baseball’s humanitarian award.

Evaluative comments with rating: 

 5/5 TVs – Worth throwing out your TV for.

Santiago’s storytelling blends Clemente’s most historic public moments with private and personal experiences that did just as much to shape his humanity and his sense of justice. It’s this full-bodied approach to Clemente and his journey that conveys to the reader just how important Clemente was, not only to baseball, but the people of Latin America. 21 is never fully historical or personal and it moves between the two types of storytelling without too many hiccups – blending fact and anecdotes. Never pedantic or preachy, 21 mirrors the grace and style that Clemente displayed on and off the field, coupled with the substance that made him an everlasting legend.

Suggested Audience (age range): 14+ (for some mildly offensive language)

Readers’ advisory notes:

Appeal factors: character-driven, bittersweet, inspirational, richly detailed, moving

Readlikes: The Golem’s Mighty Swing – James Sturm, King – Ho Che Anderson, Satchel Paige: Striking Out Jim Crow – James Sturm

Booktalking hook: Read the introduction of the book aloud to teens and show them the illustrations from Clemente’s final game.

Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the subject material, positive online reviews, and a beautiful design.

• One of Library Journal's Best Books 2011: Graphic Novels
• One of Booklist's Top 10 Graphic Novels: 2012 (for 2011 books)
• Finalist for the 2011 CASEY Award for Best Baseball Book from Spitball: The Literary Baseball Magazine
• One of ALA/YALSA's Great Graphic Novels for Teens 2012

Category: Award-winning, Historical, Graphic Novel