Jackie, Luther and I.

Christina Pike is a member of the Evaluation Division, Department of
Education, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Rick Desclouds in Jackie, Luther and I, with the help of a time-travelling rickshaw, takes his readers back in time along with his main character, grade 7 student Danny Thach. Danny lives a simple life in Ottawa’s Chinatown and is an unsuspecting hero for this adventure. Letting curiosity get the better of him, Danny visits a grocery store in Chinatown and meets an older man who happens also to be friends with his social studies teacher, Mr. D. Following the directions of the older man, Danny sits on the rickshaw and in the next moment he is back at Montreal and it is 1946.

Unfortunately he has damaged the bike of another boy, Luther Lechang. The two decide that they are better off as friends and the adventure begins. In the end both Danny and Luther get to meet their hero, Jackie Robinson, and play alongside of him.

This is a story about two boys from two different times who develop a true friendship. It is also about a hero, Jackie Robinson. In between the layers this is also a story about race and tolerance.

A very good read that holds a lesson for all of us. Highly recommended.