Between the Lines

Between the Lines tells the true story of Ernie Barnes, who grew up in segregated North Carolina during the 1940s and 1950s with twin passions for art and football. Despite facing racism and obstacles, Barnes pursued both interests through his youth and early adult years. Barnes played professional football while continuing to create art that captured the energy, movement and humanity of Black life in America. His distinctive artistic style emerged from his experiences as both an athlete and an artist, leading him to develop a signature approach to depicting motion and the human form. Through Barnes' journey from aspiring young artist to professional athlete to renowned painter, the book reveals themes of perseverance, authenticity, and the power of pursuing one's dreams across different domains. His story demonstrates how seemingly disparate passions can combine to create something unique and meaningful.

Readers highlight this book as an engaging introduction to NFL player Kenny Washington's story of breaking football's color barrier. Teachers and librarians note it works well for grades 3-7. Positive reviews focus on: - Clear explanation of segregation's impact on sports - Integration of historical photos and newspaper clippings - Accessible writing style for young readers - Brings attention to an overlooked historical figure Main criticisms: - Some found the pacing uneven - A few readers wanted more details about Washington's later life - Several noted the complexity of racial issues might need adult guidance for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (216 ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (46 ratings) One librarian wrote: "Perfect for sports-loving kids who may not realize the NFL was once segregated." A parent noted: "My 9-year-old stayed engaged but needed help understanding some historical context."

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🌟 Author Sandra Neil Wallace was the first woman to host an NHL broadcast on national TV and became an ESPN reporter before turning to writing children's books. 📚 The book's subject, Ernie Barnes, rejected over 100 scholarship offers to play football in order to pursue his dream of attending art school, though he eventually played professionally in the AFL. 🎨 Barnes' most famous painting, "The Sugar Shack," appeared on the TV show Good Times and was used as the cover art for Marvin Gaye's album "I Want You." 🏈 During his professional football career, Barnes would often sketch his teammates during breaks and was nicknamed "Big Rembrandt" by his fellow players. 🖼️ The NFL officially recognized Barnes as their first and only "Artist-in-Residence," allowing him to capture the spirit of football through his unique artistic style known as "neo-mannerism."