Contenders

In 1911, John Meyers and Charles Bender made history as the first two Native professional ballplayers to meet in a World Series. This picture book tells their story, drawing out lessons about persistence, staying devoted to a passion when others treat you unfairly, and the ongoing push for Native representation in sports.

Bender was raised on the White Earth Reservation in northwestern Minnesota, and Meyers grew up on the Cahuilla reservation in southern California. Each man respected the other's talent and shared a commitment to seeing Native players recognized in baseball, yet the press kept trying to cast them as rivals. Neither let that manufactured feud, or the racism they met inside the ballpark, keep him from chasing a professional career.

The two went on to break down barriers and won nine championships between them. Traci Sorell wrote the text and Arigon Starr illustrated the book, which presents both men vividly and offers encouragement to anyone holding onto a dream despite prejudice.