Joe Stoshack loves baseball. He’s not so great at it and he lets the other team rattle him sp he loses his temper, but he loves that game. He’s even got this special power—he can travel through time just by holding a baseball card and concentrating real hard. It’s true! He’s done it before. It only makes sense that when he’s given an assignment—write a report on a famous African-American for Black History Month—he would choose Jackie Robinson.

Jackie was the first African-American to play in the Major Leagues; a really big deal, especially in 1947 when segregation was still everywhere. All Joey needs now is a 1947 Jackie Robinson card and he’s all set. Good thing his friend at the baseball card shop has one he can borrow. Sure, Joe’s mom is worried but it’s for school and she loves that stuff. Later that night, when Joey is getting ready to travel back to 1947, he can’t help thinking, “what must it have been like for him,” to face what he did? Next thing you know, he’s in Brooklyn, 1947. One thing Joey didn’t count on though—now he’s black, too.

As it sometimes happens when you travel through time, Joey lands near one of Jackie’s friends, who is able to introduce Joey to the ballplayer. Jackie is a wonder. Tall, athletic, but he carries a weight on his shoulders, for sure. When Joe gets a ball boy job with the Dodgers he is allowed a first-hand look at what Jackie has to face. The team, the fans, so many people are violently angry that a black man is playing for Dem Bums. But the African-American community is filled with pride and hope. Jackie keeps his temper, plays his game, and eventually begins to win over the rest of the Dodgers’ fans.

Joe is astounded by Jackie’s patience and forbearance. Even when he can’t eat in the hotel restaurants with the rest of the team, even when he gets threatening letters, even when the other teams yell really mean and scary things to him Jackie is strong enough to hold his head high and keep playing the game. What a sight for Joey to see. Facing off against the Philly’s, and the anger of the Philly’s fans and team, finally makes the Dodgers come together, like a real team. But, when that racism also threatens Joey’s safety, he has to make a quick get-away back to present day. Unfortunately, his father was counting on him bringing back some old, and rare, baseball cards; they’d be worth a fortune now. So, back to 1947 it is—this time as a white kid. When Joe arrives in 1947 again, six months have passed  and it is toward the end of the World Series. It is great to see Jackie and the rest of the guys again, but sadly, this trip, too, must come to an end. Of course, the lessons Jackie taught Joey will last a lifetime.