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About this item
Highlights
- A 2024 Michigan Notable Book"A moving novel, fit for inspiring any reader to dream big and believe that anything is possible.
- About the Author: Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and other novels.
- 368 Pages
- Fiction + Literature Genres, Christian
Description
About the Book
In this 1950s coming-of-age story, two sisters are left reeling when their father is accused of being a member of the Communist party. Bertha finds a haven with the All-American Girls Baseball League. Flossie finds herself in an unexpected friendship. Both are about to discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances.Book Synopsis
A 2024 Michigan Notable Book"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
From the Back Cover
"An absolute winner."--Tosca Lee, New York Times bestselling authorIt 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
Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, as well as Stories That Bind Us, The Nature of Small Birds, and other novels. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan. Learn more at www.susiefinkbeiner.com.Dimensions (Overall): 8.43 Inches (H) x 5.51 Inches (W) x 1.18 Inches (D)
Weight: .75 Pounds
Suggested Age: 22 Years and Up
Sub-Genre: Christian
Genre: Fiction + Literature Genres
Number of Pages: 368
Publisher: Fleming H. Revell Company
Theme: Historical
Format: Paperback
Author: Susie Finkbeiner
Language: English
Street Date: July 11, 2023
TCIN: 88018921
UPC: 9780800739362
Item Number (DPCI): 247-37-4451
Origin: Made in the USA or Imported
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Estimated ship dimensions: 1.18 inches length x 5.51 inches width x 8.43 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.75 pounds
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4.5 out of 5 stars with 9 reviews
88% would recommend
9 recommendations
Couldn't Put It Down
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
BlessednBookish - 2 years ago
The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner is a richly woven tale of a family pursuing big dreams and fighting against the realities of life. Set during the Red Scare in the 1950s, The All-American gives us an in-depth look at the culture and politics of the time and how it affected regular citizens and shaped their futures. I absolutely fell in love with this story from chapter one. The characters are so vivid (especially Flossie) and quirky and just darn loveable. I counted it a blessing to sit in on conversations in their home and hear the wisdom and love of the Harding parents. Their lives were ordinary in so many ways, and yet because of their love for one another and their courage to pursue big dreams, they were also extraordinary. I could NOT put this book down. I read it while traveling and devoured it whole. If you enjoy women’s fiction or historical fiction, I would highly recommend this story. You will laugh at Bertha’s pie or Flossie's antics. You will cry when life’s not fair. But you will be left a heart brimming with hope. I was given a copy of this book by the publisher with no expectations of a positive review. All opinions are my own.
Immersive, lovely read
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Dschock - 2 years ago
The All American by Susie Finkbeiner 4.5⭐️ Topic or themes I saw: Finding your place Read it if you love: ✔️Historical fiction ✔️Baseball ✔️Stories with hope and hard ✔️Coming of age novels ✔️Strong family stories ✔️Larger than life characters ✔️Character driven stories Story: This novel had me hooked from the opening where Bertha is struggling to cook in home-ec class and then when her brother chose to rescue the runt of the kitty litter. That and the book loving 12 year old Flossie and the author dad. What more goodness can be packed in a book?! 😍. Set during the Red Scare, Bertha’s father is accused of being communist. The story is centered around strong family themes and persevering through the hard without losing site of the beauty. It was so cool that complete opposites—communism (anti-American) was contrasted by baseball (all-American). This book is about misfits finding their place and oh how I love those stories! I wasn’t sure I wanted to read a book on baseball (I am not a sports person), but man am I glad I didn’t listen to that silly thought! It’s a book about more than baseball. The story is told through Bertha and her younger sister Flossie’s POV. I adored the characters! They were large and fun, fiesty, and full of life. The personalities in this book were so vibrant. And the way Finkbeiner set the tone of the book was marvelous. I really felt like I was in that era in a way many historical books don’t make me feel. I can’t put my finger on it, but it was lovely. There were a few things that I personally would have loved to see wrapped up in just a bit more in-depth at the end, I felt a tad unfulfilled. Otherwise, I adored the story and would recommend getting to know the feisty and fun Harding family❤️. Thank you Revell for gifting me a copy of this story, all opinions are my own.
So Good!
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connie Saunders - 2 years ago
I enjoy reading several book genres but sometimes, I just need a family-driven story! The All American is set in the 1950s and I loved the historical details, the characters who could have been my neighbors, and the realism that is such a big part of the plot. Author Susie Finkbeiner shares the points of view of two very different sisters, and I can't decide which one I liked the best. Bertha Harding loves baseball and her desire to become a player in a women's baseball league makes her a role model for any girl wanting to be more than just a wife and mother. Flossie may be my favorite because she is a reader and a dreamer, and she has no filters on what she says! I enjoyed her ability to make me laugh and the important part that she plays in the epilogue that happens sixteen years later. The All American takes readers back to early professional baseball for women, and it also offers a powerful look at the witch-hunt that destroyed the lives of innocent people in the 1950s. People who were falsely accused of being members of the Communist Party and ostracized from their communities! Finkbeiner's stunning story kindled my emotions and left me longing for more time with this memorable Harding family. I highly recommend this book! I received a copy of this book from the publisher through Revell Reads. There was no obligation for a positive review. These are my own thoughts.
Absolutely Delightful
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Cindy D - 2 years ago
I am on a Susie Finkbeiner kick. I am trying to read all her books and every time I turn around (it seems). I learn about another one she has written. I absolutely love the cover of The All-American, her newest release. We have come, yet again, to a story that will be hard for me to explain all that I felt as I read this story. For some reason, I was expecting The All-American to be a dual timeline. I am not sure where I got that from, but it is not. It is set in 1952, and the perspective alternates between sisters Bertha and Flossie. Bertha dreams of playing with the women's baseball team, the Sweet Peas. I have to admit I am not a baseball fan (sorry!). However, you do not need to be to enjoy this story. I loved getting to know Bertha, Flossie, and their family and friends. I loved them both, even though they are so different. I loved the friendship between them as well. While Bertha is mostly focused on baseball, Flossie is a precocious bookworm. I adored her, the humor she added to the story, and her sense of justice. There was a plot twist that I did not see coming. I thought it would go one way, but instead, it went out in left field. It wrecked me. With that, I did see the ending coming and found it completely appropriate and heart-warming. The worst part of the entire story was the ending. Why? Because it ENDED. I was not ready! I wanted more. I finished it last night, and I still want more. And, just so we are clear, the ending is not bad. There is so much more I want to say, but I will refrain. Just grab a copy and read the book. Thank you to Revell for the opportunity to read this book. I was not required to provide a positive review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
Loved the time period
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Candice - 2 years ago
Oh my goodness! This should be a must read for this year. I love the way Susie Finkbeiner transports us back in time to when life was simpler and families loved each other and stayed together through thick and thin. I loved the way the story went back and forth between the two sisters and how different they were. But, through it all, they were family first and that was my favorite part of this book. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Do Dreams Come True?
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
Tickmenot - 2 years ago
This is a snapshot of the Harding family in the 1950's. They are a family of five, with a mom transplanted from England, a well-known author for a father, two girls and a married son. For good measure, there is also a quirky relative. Highschooler Bertha, the oldest girl, loves baseball. She is talented and tenacious, the only girl that the local boys allow to play on their team. Bertha has always dreamed of being on the all-girls team, the Sweet Peas. Flossie, in grade school, is a precocious child who is misunderstood and made fun of by her peers. But she is bookish and smart, although she talks with no filter, saying whatever pops into her head. In today's jargon, she would probably be called ADD. You will feel like a time-traveler who steps back in the '50's as the characters speak the lingo of the day, and face situations of the era, both good and bad. I like that this tale is told by two narrators, Bertha and Flossie giving their different perspectives of life for the Harding family. Their good times will make you laugh out loud. But they also faced things that had life-changing consequences. Be forewarned, some of those will require a handkerchief. I was engaged in this book until it took a dramatic twist towards the end, which turned me off to the story. Fans of 1950's tales, and the ups and downs in a family will enjoy this clean, 4-star book. Thank you, Revell Books, for providing Tickmenot with a book to review. Opinions are my own.
Loved this memorable coming-of-age novel
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
PhyllisE - 2 years ago
Thanks to LibraryThing and Revell Books for an advance reader's copy. All comments and opinions are my own. I loved this sweet and moving coming-of-age novel that takes place in 1950s Michigan. Told alternately between 11-year-old Flossie and 16-year-old Bertha, the sisters couldn’t be more different. The back of the book’s summary explains that “they are left reeling when their father is accused of being a member of the Communist party. Bertha finds a haven with the All-American Girls Baseball League. Flossie finds herself in an unexpected friendship. Both are about to discover how much good there is in the world – even in the hardest of circumstances.” This is a book that had me both laughing and crying, and one I will be thinking about for a long time. I highly recommend it!
Good Reading!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Sunnie Reviews - 2 years ago
I really enjoyed this book placed in the 50's, which I can totally relate to and love hearing about in books. I enjoyed the family here and the tale was told by Bertha and her sister Flossie. As the book continues the everyday life of this family is terribly abrupted as a townsperson claims the father of Bertha and Flossie is a member of the Communist party. Bertha is enthralled with baseball and playing with the neighbor boys. She dreams of playing on a minor league women's baseball team. But will she have the opportunity to make her dream come true? This book was so true to this period of time in history and the fear people were experiencing. Loved the book, the author's writing style and the history this reminded me about. I will definitely be reading more from the author. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own.
BASEBALL & COMMUNISM
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
Connywithay - 2 years ago
“Both are about to discover how much good there is in the world–even in the hardest of circumstances,” the back jacket references the two sisters in Susie Finkbeiner’s novel, The All American. ~ What ~ This three-hundred-and-fifty-one-page advanced reader copy targets those interested in a coming-of-age tale set in America involving family dynamics surrounding baseball and communism. Using slang words such as darn and heck, the topics of bullying, alcohol use, illness, and death may not be appropriate for immature readers. In this story set in the early 1950s in mainly Michigan, two siblings have completely opposite interests being five years apart: Bertha is a tomboy who loves baseball, and Flossie is a bookworm who wishes she was all grown up. When their father is accused of being a communist, the family must flee to another town, only to learn how growing up has challenges, friendships, and heartbreak. ~ Why ~ This is a thoughtful tale that explains the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League and the Red Menace and how both changed society. I always like stories written in first person, while this one jumps back and forth between two sisters as they experience life. I appreciate the noted Bible verse and hymns along with famous novels of the period. The personalities of the two girls were well-described and believable. Advertisements REPORT THIS AD ~ Why Not ~ Those who do not believe in God or pray to Him may pass this read up, although Jesus is only mentioned once. I found it to be a slow build, but the ending redeemed itself. Some who do not like baseball or communism may not be interested in it. ~ Wish ~ While I liked the idea of writing every other chapter from each sister’s perspective, initially it was hard to remember who was who. The Christian undertone seemed to be legalistic in some ways (i.e. going to church means you are a good person), never explaining the eternal plan of salvation. I wish all pronouns of God were capitalized for reverence and there no slang words were used. ~ Want ~ If you like girls playing pro baseball with an underlying story about being accused of being a communist, this one is well-pitched and covers all the bases. Thanks to Revell and Interviews & Reviews for this complimentary book. I am under no obligation to give a positive review.