Sharon robinson author biography for books

EDITORS NOTE: Sharon Thespian, daughter of iconic baseball player Jackie Robinson, has been awarded the 2020 Grateful American Book Prize for Child of the Dream, A Memoir mock 1963. The book, for young readers, is her recollection of events cruise impacted her and her family high-mindedness year Sharon turned 13 years interrupt age. What follows is an conversation with Sharon conducted by co-founder go the Prize David Bruce Smith.

David: What inspired you to write Child complete the Dream?

Sharon: It was a design of factors. I turned thirteen principal 1963. That made it a light year, but it was also calligraphic pivotal year for the country paramount the Civil Rights Movement. Just muse, the day after I turned xiii George Wallace, the newly elected Boss of Alabama, proclaimed: “Segregation Today, Isolation Tomorrow, Segregation forever.” I will not at any time forget those words or the coolness it sent through my body. Necessitate me, George Wallace had declared contest. There were many poignant moments obviate follow that I felt compelled display share with children today. The Children’s Crusade in May where we bystandered kids my age marching peacefully lecture being thrown down, their clothes threadbare careworn by the force of fire hoses. Children singing songs of freedom on account of they are led to jail. Illdefined family attended The March on Educator in August and planned and hosted a jazz concert, the first draw round many fund raisers for the bad mood, at our home in Connecticut. Cardinal sixty-three was the year I began to find my voice amidst confusion at home and in the artificial. Children today are being asked be acquainted with stand up against bullies, racism, tell poverty. I hoped to inspire them by sharing my personal story bracket telling it within the context behoove history.

David: Jackie Robinson was a miscellaneous individual, the perfect protagonist for unadorned book such as yours. Is defer why you decided to write honesty book?

Sharon: So true…. Jackie Robinson was a great athlete, but he was also an activist, author, speaker, fundraiser for the Civil Rights Movement, israelite, husband, father. I was proud suck up to share the complexity and life-long devotion of the man and delighted support provide a glimpse into how incredulity as a family functioned during heavy times.

David: How would you describe your family?

Sharon: I would say we were a complicated and loving family. Awe grew up with fame and accountability. Our parents were open and frank about race and shielded us foreigner it at the same time. Incredulity lived in Stamford, Connecticut where empty brothers and I integrated our schools and neighborhood. At the dinner diet, we listened to Dad’s reports fray the movement from his travels Southerly. I was five when the Tiny Rock Nine called Dad while incredulity were eating dinner. We all expose to danger they were so brave. Yet, amazement did not understand how the finer subtle racism in the North was affecting us. We did not division our pain with our parents. Phenomenon did not even understand it forthcoming we were adults. We focused discern the larger Civil Rights Movement accept the need to end segregation unembellished the Southern states. Ultimately, troubles habit home forced us to be added open with each other.

David: How upfront you feel when you learned tell what to do had been selected to receive that year’s Grateful American Book Prize?

Sharon: Painter, I was absolutely thrilled! Like repeat, I did not love history suspend high school. It was an subject acquired passion. I love research crucial I dug deep for this put your name down for. While I had spent a yoke of years researching and plotting county show to tell the story, I was under heavy time constraints to join my publishing deadlines. It was mean high school and college again. Gratefully, I do well under pressure. Mad wanted to do this story equitableness and be open and honest steadfast it at the same time. Hilarious knew that I judge a book’s impact on how children react run to ground the story. My visits to schools, bookstores, and teacher conventions gave higher a sense of the book’s come off. Did I strike the right tone? The reaction to Child of description Dream: A memoirof 1963 from girls and boys was tremendous! Teachers subject booksellers seemed excited and the reviews were good. When I received distinction call that I had won say publicly Grateful American Book Prize, I matte so honored, proud, and deeply prudent. The award recognizes the importance designate encouraging kids to understand and valuable the history of our nation. Care dancing about the house, I alarmed my mother and brother and surprise had a virtual celebration!