Follow Chester!: A College Football Team Fights Racism and Makes History
This picture book tells the story of Dr. Chester “Chet” Pierce. As a child, he lacked confidence, even though he saved his brother from drowning in a well. As a young person, he attended Harvard University and played on the school’s football team. When his team traveled to the segregated University of Virginia in 1947, the Harvard coach brought Chet to play, even though he was black and most integrated teams didn’t do that. His white teammates supported Chet by “following” him whenever a racial injustice occurred. They entered a restaurant in the back with him, and they all peed in the woods when Chet was not allowed in a gas station restroom. During the game, he was cheered by the black fans and booed by the white. Chet made history and helped to integrate football.
The story is told in a simple narrative that is easy to understand. The mostly full-page illustrations are bold and bright. Recommended.
