CBC Books | | Posted: March 1, 2017 8:37 PM | Last Updated: July 22, 2021
Jael Ealey Richardson, illustrated by Matt James
Image | BOOK COVER: The Stone Thrower by Jael Ealey Richardson, illustrated by Matt James
Chuck Ealey grew up poor in a racially segregated community that was divided from the rest of town by a set of train tracks, but his mother assured him that he wouldn't stay in Portsmouth forever. Education was the way out, and a football scholarship was the way to pay for that education. So despite the racist taunts he faced at all the games he played in high school, Chuck maintained a remarkable level of dedication and determination. And when discrimination followed him to university and beyond, Chuck Ealey remained undefeated.
This inspirational story is told by Chuck Ealey's daughter, author and educator Jael Richardson, with striking and powerful illustrations by award-winning illustrator Matt James. (From Groundwood Books)
The Stone Thrower is for readers ages 5–9.
Jael Richardson is the founder and the artistic director of the Festival for Literary Diversity (FOLD) and the books columnist for q on CBC Radio. She is also the author of the nonfiction book The Stone Thrower and the novelGutter Child.
Media Audio | As It Happens : The Stone Thrower: from poverty and segregation to CFL star quarterback
Caption: Success was a stone's throw away. After growing up in a low-income, segregated community, Chuck Ealey beat the odds and became a star quarterback. Now his story is told in new children's book called The Stone Thrower, written by his daughter Jael.
Media Audio | As It Happens : Feature interview with "The Stone Thrower" author Jael Ealey Richardson (Part 2)
Caption: Carol's feature interview with Jael Ealey Richardson, author of a new children's book called "The Stone Thrower", about a kid from a segregated Ohio neighbourhood with a wicked throwing arm -- one that made him a star quarterback.
Media Audio | Up North : Author Jael Richardson's talks about her CFL-star dad
Caption: Chuck Ealey became the first black quarterback to win the Grey Cup. Ealey's daughter Jael Richardson captured the story of her father in her book, 'The Stone Thrower.' Richardson is in Sudbury for the Wordstock Literary Festival.