A local author who is also a librarian at the University of Windsor is getting some recognition for her non-fiction book "1934: The Chatham Coloured All-Stars' Barrier-Breaking Year."
The book, written by Heidi L.M. Jacobs and published by Biblioasis, explores the story of the first black baseball team to win an Ontario Baseball Amateur Association championship. The story not only explores the team's success but also the history of Black baseball players fighting against racism in sport.
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, Ted Arnott, announced the book won the 2024 Speakers' Book Award.
"Heidi Jacobs' work is not only a point of pride for Southwestern Ontario, but is an essential part of Ontario's literary history," said Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie. "I was beaming with hometown pride at the Speakers' Book Awards."
Jacobs wrote two previous books, including her novel "Molly of the Mall: Literary Lass and Purveyor of Fine Footwear," which won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour four years ago. The other book is "100 Miles of Baseball: Fifty Games, One Summer."
"All of us at Biblioasis are very happy for Heidi Jacobs, and thankful that her wonderful book -- has been selected," said Publisher Dan Wells. "Heidi put a tremendous amount of herself into this book, approaching her subject with care and diligence, love and respect, and it shows on every page."