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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner weaves together historical events from the 1950s while also telling a beautiful tale of family, truth, and accepting what comes your way.
We like to believe things have never been worse in our country, but a brief glimpse into our history proves otherwise. The 1950s were a decade filled with fear and hope, and this book captured both elements so well. I was struck by the impact of the “Red Scare” on everyday families, especially when the accusations were unfounded. Lives were uprooted and reputations were forever impacted. The author brought this reality to light in such a believable way.
I also greatly appreciated the underlying theme of learning to accept what life brings your way, even if it is something you wish you could change. Learning that joy and sorrow can co-exist has been one of the most challenging lessons of my life, so having another illustration is helpful.
I have continued to ponder this story and the lessons within, and I feel that the author handled such a difficult concept masterfully. It’s a great story with important life lessons (and history) along the way.
We like to believe things have never been worse in our country, but a brief glimpse into our history proves otherwise. The 1950s were a decade filled with fear and hope, and this book captured both elements so well. I was struck by the impact of the “Red Scare” on everyday families, especially when the accusations were unfounded. Lives were uprooted and reputations were forever impacted. The author brought this reality to light in such a believable way.
I also greatly appreciated the underlying theme of learning to accept what life brings your way, even if it is something you wish you could change. Learning that joy and sorrow can co-exist has been one of the most challenging lessons of my life, so having another illustration is helpful.
I have continued to ponder this story and the lessons within, and I feel that the author handled such a difficult concept masterfully. It’s a great story with important life lessons (and history) along the way.
Never in a million years would I have picked up this book to read but am so glad it was the winner of our Bookclub selection. I haven’t read a book that fast in a while and I couldn’t put it down. I laughed, I cried. It was great!
This book is exceptional. One of the best books I have read. If you are a fan of historical fiction, this one is a home-run!
This is much more than a story about a girl's desire to play baseball. It's about dreams and ambition, family obligation, and culture conventions and what they mean for us as individuals. This book isn't showy. It's not shocking. It's not big and loud. It's quiet. It celebrates nuance. It lets you sit in the details. You know these characters and their mannerisms intimately through the smallest description. No word is wasted and you will fly through this touching tale. I love reading about a time in history we don't get to visit much in our fiction. And this time in history could lend itself to a shocking and loud tale, but it is better served here with this lovely family friendly fare.
Thanks to Revell for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.
Thanks to Revell for the gifted title. All opinions are my own.
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Susie Finkbeiner is one of very few "automatic buy" authors for me. With every book she seems to get just a little bit better. 'The All-American' was no exception.
Told by two sisters in alternating chapters, this book gives insight into a fictional story about a family in the 1950s laced with plenty of real history regarding women's professional baseball and the Communism scare that so many faced.
I won't go into great detail, since other reviewers have already done that, but the fact that the father of the family was a famous author was icing on the cake for me. (I'm a sucker for any book that includes writers and/or books.) The inclusion of quotes from his books at the beginning of each of the five parts was pretty fun. I'm just a little sad that I can't read the actual novels.
All of this rambling is just to say that I absolutely loved this book. I would highly recommend it to just about anyone. So much so that it's even my book club's next selection! :)
Told by two sisters in alternating chapters, this book gives insight into a fictional story about a family in the 1950s laced with plenty of real history regarding women's professional baseball and the Communism scare that so many faced.
I won't go into great detail, since other reviewers have already done that, but the fact that the father of the family was a famous author was icing on the cake for me. (I'm a sucker for any book that includes writers and/or books.) The inclusion of quotes from his books at the beginning of each of the five parts was pretty fun. I'm just a little sad that I can't read the actual novels.
All of this rambling is just to say that I absolutely loved this book. I would highly recommend it to just about anyone. So much so that it's even my book club's next selection! :)
medium-paced