As a child dealing with racism, Jackie Robinson learned from his mother “to stand up for what was right, even when that was difficult to do.” He carried that lesson through his years as a college athlete and into his World War II military career, where racial segregation was a regular practice. After a 1944 army order prohibited segregation on military posts and buses, Jackie chose a seat in the middle of an army bus, ignoring the driver’s angry demands that he move to the back. Military police sided with the driver, and Jackie was charged with two crimes. At his court martial, Jackie’s description of his actions was confirmed by witnesses, and several commanding officers testified in his favor; eventually a verdict of “not guilty” was delivered. While many readers know of Jackie Robinson’s groundbreaking career integrating professional baseball, this less familiar earlier episode exemplifies the courage and commitment to fighting racism he demonstrated throughout his life. (Ages 5–10)

A moving and inspiring nonfiction picture book about Jackie Robinson’s court martial trial—an important lesser-known moment in his lifetime of fighting prejudice with strength and grace—from author Sudipta Bardhan-Quallen and award-winning illustrator R. Gregory Christie. Perfect for fans of Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, The Story of Ruby Bridges, and Martin’s Big Words.

Jackie Robinson broke boundaries as the first African American player in Major League Baseball. But long before Jackie changed the world in a Dodger uniform, he did it in an army uniform.

As a soldier during World War II, Jackie experienced segregation every day—separate places for black soldiers to sit, to eat, and to live. When the army outlawed segregation on military posts and buses, things were supposed to change.

So when Jackie was ordered by a white bus driver to move to the back of a military bus, he refused. Instead of defending Jackie’s rights, the military police took him to trial. But Jackie would stand up for what was right, even when it was difficult to do.