Black Diamond Kings, written by Charles R. Smith Jr. and illustrated by Adrian Brandon. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2025. $24.99 ages

"THUNDER AND LIGHTNING 
Josh Gibson 

Here comes Big Josh
big Josh 
up to bat, 
here comes big Josh 
with the thunder in his bat. 

Here comes the heat
speeding fast 
fast 
fast, 
here it comes
there it goes
with a thunderous 
CRASH. 

There it goes
there it goes
OUT 
of the stadium, 
a bolt of lightning from the bat of big Josh Gibson!"

It's mid-season for MLB and the 2025 season. It seems an appropriate time to tell you about this new book by the prolific Charles R. Smith Jr. If you love sports, or have kids and students who do, you will know his name. His many books are favorites of those who want to know more about the world of sports. He has written over 30, and many of them reflect his keen interest in people, sports stars, and Black History. 

Mr. Smith begins with Satchel Paige in a poem that showcases his brilliance as a pitcher, and the skill that lured countless fans to the ball park to watch his wizardry. Each turn of the page presents another stellar competitor and offers a clear look at the ability they carried onto the field game after game. I could go on to share their stories and their accomplishments. The pages are filled with very clear descriptions of each player selected, and each is worthy of full attention. The poetic styles vary and explore the sights and sounds of baseball. 

The author pays tribute to 12 baseball stars who spent all or most of their careers in the Negro Leagues (1920s to 1962); readers will learn their stories, first in poetry and then in a series of 'player notes'. Those notes are filled with further information about each one, and includes years played, handedness, and positions played. A few also held management spots. A question-and-answer section following provides honest answers concerning the evolution of the league and some of the hurdles Negro players faced. 

Illustrations, sketched by hand and digitally painted, offer readers a chance to see each player on the field as they must have appeared to those in attendance at their games. Long limbs, constant movement, chiseled features make them come alive. They were great players and their careers merit being added to Major League statistics. There are currently 37 Negro Leagues players in the Baseball Hall of Fame ... a well-deserved honor.