Black Jack ~ Charles R. Smith Jr.

Black Jack

Written by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Illustrated by Shawn W. Evans

This rhyming story is about the life of Arthur John Johnson, the world’s first black heavyweight champion. Black Jack, as he was called, was bullied as a boy, until his mother encouraged him to fight back. And that, he did!

Wanting to become great, he followed former champs, Jim Jeffries and Tommy Burns, from city to city until they eventually agreed to fight Jack, a black man. Both battles of the races were won by Black Jack. I was very intrigued because I had never heard of Black Jack before. The extended bio and the end of the book was very insightful as well! Read more >>

Buy the Book: Black Jack

Originally posted on February 9, 2021.

Related Books:

The Doctor with an Eye for Eyes: The Story of Dr. Patricia Bath ~ Julia Finley Mosca

Emmanuel’s Dream ~ Laurie Ann Thompson

Martin Luther King Jr. ~ Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara

Testing the Ice ~ Sharon Robinson

Nobody Owns the Sky ~ Reeve Lindbergh

Saving American Beach ~ Heidi Tyline King

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice ~ Nikki Grimes

Look for Ladybugs ~ Dana Meachen Rau

Special Book Collections: