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The All-American: (Historical Women's Fiction with Woman Baseball Athlete Set in 1952) Paperback – July 11, 2023
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"A moving novel, fit for inspiring any reader to dream big and believe that anything is possible."--BookPage
***
Two sisters discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances
It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.
Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong.
***
"Finkbeiner excels at illuminating history and the human condition through the voices of young people. Fans of the 1992 movie A League of Their Own will enjoy this, as will readers of women's fiction."--Library Journal
"In the vivid, episodic historical novel The All-American, a family targeted by McCarthy-era hysteria grows closer while they're awaiting justice; their dreams are kept alive despite the intrigue that ensnares them."--Foreword Reviews
- Print length368 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- PublisherRevell
- Publication dateJuly 11, 2023
- Dimensions5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
- ISBN-100800739361
- ISBN-13978-0800739362
The chilling story of the abduction of two teenagers, their escape, and the dark secrets that, years later, bring them back to the scene of the crime. | Learn more
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Editorial Reviews
From the Back Cover
It is 1952, and nearly all the girls Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.
Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong.
"A true home run from start to finish!"--Katherine Reay, bestselling author of The London House and A Shadow in Moscow
"A deeply moving must-read."--Jennifer L. Wright, author of If It Rains, Come Down Somewhere, and The Girl from the Papers
"Pitch perfect. If you enjoy fiction that makes you think and makes you feel, this book is for you."--Katie Powner, author of Where the Blue Sky Begins
"Susie Finkbeiner has mastered the art of writing family stories that tenderly balance heartbreak and hope."--Amanda Cox, Christy Award‑winning author of The Edge of Belonging and The Secret Keepers of Old Depot Grocery
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : Revell (July 11, 2023)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 368 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0800739361
- ISBN-13 : 978-0800739362
- Item Weight : 14.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 5.5 x 0.92 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #265,155 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1,364 in Christian Historical Fiction (Books)
- #2,242 in Small Town & Rural Fiction (Books)
- #23,079 in Women's Literature & Fiction
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of The Nature of Small Birds, Stories That Bind Us, and The Pearl Spence Series. Her novels The All-American and All Manner of Things were both selected as Michigan Notable books.
Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.
Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers find the characters relatable and likable. They describe the story as good, relatable, and one of the best historical fiction novels they have read. The book is thought-provoking and packed with real emotion, providing a deeper look into the characters' thoughts and feelings.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers enjoy the realistic and likable characters in the book. They find them engaging and want to visit with them every year.
"...It is a wonderful story. The characters are very well rounded and so relatable. The world build is set perfectly and the era is perfection...." Read more
"...The characters became new friends that I want to visit with every year...." Read more
"...It is packed with real emotion, with real life characters. Don't miss this one." Read more
"...but so very good. It was hard to put down. The characters were well developed and it had a twist I never expected...." Read more
Customers enjoy the story. They find it relatable, with believable characters and a great plot that keeps them reading until the end. The history parts fit seamlessly into the story without being distracting, and the dialogue and relationships are well-developed. Many consider it one of the best historical fiction books they have read.
"...It is a wonderful story. The characters are very well rounded and so relatable. The world build is set perfectly and the era is perfection...." Read more
"...drawing out the reader’s emotions in this way is what makes for a powerful story, and there’s no doubt that Susie Finkbeiner has this gift...." Read more
"...One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. The characters became new friends that I want to visit with every year...." Read more
"...but so very good. It was hard to put down. The characters were well developed and it had a twist I never expected...." Read more
Customers find the book thought-provoking and heartwarming. They say it provides a deeper look into the characters' thoughts and feelings, offering hope and inspiration. Readers also mention the book is packed with real emotion and real life characters.
"...either Bertha or Flossie, and we were able to get a deeper look into their thoughts and feelings, a look into a part of their lives that may have..." Read more
"This story makes you think and feel deeply. It is packed with real emotion, with real life characters. Don't miss this one." Read more
"...at one point, but I also chuckled often and found hope and inspiration within the pages. Another wonderful novel by Susie Finkbeiner...." Read more
"...This novel is phenomenal. It was beautiful, funny, thought-provoking, heart wrenching, and wonderful...." Read more
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Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on August 10, 2023The All American was a book where, more than once, I wanted to jump inside its pages and shake some sense into some of the lesser characters. This was especially true when it came to the accusation that Bertha and Flossie’s father, Will, was a member of the Communist Party.
I hate to say the old adage, “History repeats itself,” but how true it is, and how true it was for this story. Because of one person’s words, neighbors who never had a squabble with the Harding family now shunned them all because of what one person said. Rocks were thrown and words painted. People all too easily believed what they heard. The search for truth, sadly, was neglected between these pages just as it is today, and it frustrated me to no end.
But drawing out the reader’s emotions in this way is what makes for a powerful story, and there’s no doubt that Susie Finkbeiner has this gift.
I appreciated how Finkbeiner chose to “attack” the situation. Despite all they’d lost, the family left their home and sought refuge and a fresh start with Will’s brother, Matthew. The move may have shaken their already rocky foundation, but the opportunities that came from it were a godsend, especially for Bertha and Flossie.
And speaking of God, He was definitely present throughout the story, though not the main focus. One of my favorite lines was when Mom told Flossie that everyone at some point has a difficulty to bear, no matter how heavy or light, and though we may not understand God’s ways, all we really need to do is trust that we’re not carrying it alone.
The Harding family was easy to like, and I enjoyed being a fly on the wall during their interactions with each other and with others. Each chapter was in the perspective of either Bertha or Flossie, and we were able to get a deeper look into their thoughts and feelings, a look into a part of their lives that may have otherwise remained hidden.
This is a story I would recommend to anyone who enjoys meeting new families and cheering them on as they overcome challenges together. And how could anyone pass up a book that also involves the AAGPBL?
- Reviewed in the United States on January 16, 2025I enjoyed this story. It was told from two different perspectives. Flossie and Bertha. While I enjoyed both perspectives, I enjoyed Bertha 's a bit more. Bertha's dream was to play baseball on the American Girls baseball team. I enjoyed her drive to play. This book took place when the communist scare was high in America. This was lightly woven into the story.
It was sad in some parts but it gave it a real life feel to the story.
I recommend this book to my family and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary of this book which I received from the publisher. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
- Reviewed in the United States on June 18, 2024Susie Finkbeiner ..... How could you rip my heart out without warning???? I may not forgive this one Missy. I lied I'll forgive you but not this second.
If you like historical fiction pick up The All American. It is a wonderful story. The characters are very well rounded and so relatable. The world build is set perfectly and the era is perfection. Well done Susie.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2024Sometimes a book comes along that after you finish, you just sit perhaps for days thinking about what a joy it was to read.
One of the best historical fiction books I have ever read. The characters became new friends that I want to visit with every year.
I laughed out loud, and I broke down and sobbed but never would I change a single moment of joy, love, and awe of reading such an incredible book such as this.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023This story makes you think and feel deeply. It is packed with real emotion, with real life characters. Don't miss this one.
- Reviewed in the United States on April 30, 2024...but so very good. It was hard to put down. The characters were well developed and it had a twist I never expected.
God knows what will happen in each of our lives. Rarely does life look like we expected.
I love baseball. I loved the movie, "A League of their Own". I love that this book tells a story with imperfect characters. Read and see. I was not disappointed.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 21, 2024Witty and winsome, "The All-American" is a heart-warming home run! Susie Finkbeiner has crafted an endearing cast of characters sure to become fast friends with readers. Spunky Bertha, with her passion for baseball, and precocious Flossy, with her love of books, are a great couple of gals with voices as vivid as they are vibrant!
Fans of "The Foxhole Victory Tour" by Amy Lynn Green and "Almost Home" by Valerie Fraser Luesse will love this nostalgic novel about family, friendship, and the American dream.
If you're in the mood for a feel-good story, brimming with 1950's history and pop culture, "The All-American" is sure to be your cup of tea!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 26, 2024I loved this book. Relatable, believable characters and a great plot that kept me reading to the end. I was moved to tears at one point, but I also chuckled often and found hope and inspiration within the pages.
Another wonderful novel by Susie Finkbeiner. Can't wait to see what she writes next!