What do you think?
Rate this book
Some Kind of Pride
Named after the mighty Babe Ruth, Ruth DiMarco has some big shoes to fill. But she’s already on her way to achieving her dream of becoming a major-league baseball player. Eleven-year-old Ruth is the star shortstop in her small Maine town, and now a reporter is coming to interview her for Sports Illustrated magazine. She’s at the top of her game. Then she overhears her father in the crowd: “Real major-league talent. But I can’t help thinking what a shame it is that it’s all wasted on a girl.”
Suddenly Ruth is doubting herself, her dream, and the game she loves. In search of answers, she looks to those closest to her: her best friend, Ellie, a self-proclaimed feminist; her father, a famous sportswriter; and her mother, a firefighter hero, who died eight years ago. But Ruth knows the truth lies within herself. The real question is: Without Sports Illustrated and Little League and Babe Ruth, who is Ruth DiMarco?
From the Hardcover edition.
Suddenly Ruth is doubting herself, her dream, and the game she loves. In search of answers, she looks to those closest to her: her best friend, Ellie, a self-proclaimed feminist; her father, a famous sportswriter; and her mother, a firefighter hero, who died eight years ago. But Ruth knows the truth lies within herself. The real question is: Without Sports Illustrated and Little League and Babe Ruth, who is Ruth DiMarco?
From the Hardcover edition.
128 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
20 people want to read
About the author
Maria Testa
13 books6 followers"My father was not a storyteller," says Maria Testa, author of the critically acclaimed poetic novels SOMETHING ABOUT AMERICA, ALMOST FOREVER and BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO. "Our family was not the kind that sat on the front porch, sipping lemonade and listening to the elders reminisce. We were doers and did not spend a lot of time on verbal reflection."
How then, did Maria Testa come to write three deeply affecting novels? Maria Testa's latest novel, SOMETHING ABOUT AMERICA, was inspired by true events in Lewiston, Maine. Narrated by a young daughter from Kosova, this nuanced and deeply moving tale explores immigration in contemporary America.
Previously, Maria Testa has found inspiration from her family history. "Sometime, without remembering when, exactly, I learned about my father's life before me, before Vietnam, before medical school," she says of BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, which takes readers back to the summer of 1936. "Maybe it was in the car, out in the yard playing catch or pulling weeds, at the dinner table, or between the innings of a Yankees game on television. Somehow, without remembering how, exactly, I learned about a radio, a garden, a grandfather, and Joe Dimaggio. So maybe my father was a storyteller after all."
With ALMOST FOREVER, Maria Testa moves ahead to the 1960s to evoke--through the eyes of a six-year-old girl--the experience of seeing one's father march off to Vietnam to serve a year in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. "It is a tribute to the children of Vietnam veterans and to those who did not come home from war," she says. "It is my hope that we can always remember ourselves as children, so as not to forget the new generation of young people still waiting for the end of forever."
The recipient of a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant for BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, Maria Testa has garnered extraordinary praise for her spare, gripping novels. "Powerfully moving, as it braids together baseball, family, and the Italian-American experience," said BOOKLIST's starred review BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, which was selected as an American Library Association Notable Book for Children, an IRA Children's Choice, and a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Winner, among other accolades. "A tour de force," raves a starred review ALMOST FOREVER in KIRKUS REVIEWS. "Rapt readers don't need to know anything about Vietnam to understand love, loss, fear, and waiting."
Maria Testa has written three picture books for children and a collection of short stories for young adults. She is also the author of another book about baseball, SOME KIND OF PRIDE, which was awarded the Marguerite De Angeli Prize for a first middle-grade novel. Maria Testa grew up in Rhode Island and now lives in Portland, Maine, with her family.
How then, did Maria Testa come to write three deeply affecting novels? Maria Testa's latest novel, SOMETHING ABOUT AMERICA, was inspired by true events in Lewiston, Maine. Narrated by a young daughter from Kosova, this nuanced and deeply moving tale explores immigration in contemporary America.
Previously, Maria Testa has found inspiration from her family history. "Sometime, without remembering when, exactly, I learned about my father's life before me, before Vietnam, before medical school," she says of BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, which takes readers back to the summer of 1936. "Maybe it was in the car, out in the yard playing catch or pulling weeds, at the dinner table, or between the innings of a Yankees game on television. Somehow, without remembering how, exactly, I learned about a radio, a garden, a grandfather, and Joe Dimaggio. So maybe my father was a storyteller after all."
With ALMOST FOREVER, Maria Testa moves ahead to the 1960s to evoke--through the eyes of a six-year-old girl--the experience of seeing one's father march off to Vietnam to serve a year in the U.S. Army Medical Corps. "It is a tribute to the children of Vietnam veterans and to those who did not come home from war," she says. "It is my hope that we can always remember ourselves as children, so as not to forget the new generation of young people still waiting for the end of forever."
The recipient of a Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Work-in-Progress Grant for BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, Maria Testa has garnered extraordinary praise for her spare, gripping novels. "Powerfully moving, as it braids together baseball, family, and the Italian-American experience," said BOOKLIST's starred review BECOMING JOE DIMAGGIO, which was selected as an American Library Association Notable Book for Children, an IRA Children's Choice, and a Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award Winner, among other accolades. "A tour de force," raves a starred review ALMOST FOREVER in KIRKUS REVIEWS. "Rapt readers don't need to know anything about Vietnam to understand love, loss, fear, and waiting."
Maria Testa has written three picture books for children and a collection of short stories for young adults. She is also the author of another book about baseball, SOME KIND OF PRIDE, which was awarded the Marguerite De Angeli Prize for a first middle-grade novel. Maria Testa grew up in Rhode Island and now lives in Portland, Maine, with her family.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 24, 2014
Josh Long 4th hour English 10/22/14
This book is about the life of an eleven year old girl who was a great baseball player in Maine. Having lost her mother when she was three she struggles with her identity in an all-male family. Ruth is the best player on the team. Because of Ruth’s talent, Ross from sports “Sports Illustrated” comes to interview Ruth and her family for an article he is writing. Ruth becomes upset when she overhears her father say, “It is shame that her talent is wasted on a girl.” She loses her confidence. Purposely plays poorly and shocks everyone.
When Ruth learned that many people thought her mother was selfish in becoming a firefighter she was shocked. Ruth had always been proud of her mother and now questioned, “everything” about herself and her family.
After a “Blow up” with her father and brothers she starts to remember little things about her mother. She remembers her mother called her the famine name, “Sophia.” Her friend, Ellie, helps distract her and see that she is in control of her life and feelings. Ruth makes peace with her brothers and father and life on the baseball field has improved.
Throughout the story Ruth’s struggles with her love for baseball, the death of her mother and her being a regular girl. In the end Ruth gains confidence in herself and peace with the family.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves baseball and especially girl ages 10-16. The plot develops throughout the book with family issues, death and baseball. Anyone who has played little league would enjoy the story.
The reason why I gave it five stars is because I can relate this book to my life.
This book is about the life of an eleven year old girl who was a great baseball player in Maine. Having lost her mother when she was three she struggles with her identity in an all-male family. Ruth is the best player on the team. Because of Ruth’s talent, Ross from sports “Sports Illustrated” comes to interview Ruth and her family for an article he is writing. Ruth becomes upset when she overhears her father say, “It is shame that her talent is wasted on a girl.” She loses her confidence. Purposely plays poorly and shocks everyone.
When Ruth learned that many people thought her mother was selfish in becoming a firefighter she was shocked. Ruth had always been proud of her mother and now questioned, “everything” about herself and her family.
After a “Blow up” with her father and brothers she starts to remember little things about her mother. She remembers her mother called her the famine name, “Sophia.” Her friend, Ellie, helps distract her and see that she is in control of her life and feelings. Ruth makes peace with her brothers and father and life on the baseball field has improved.
Throughout the story Ruth’s struggles with her love for baseball, the death of her mother and her being a regular girl. In the end Ruth gains confidence in herself and peace with the family.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves baseball and especially girl ages 10-16. The plot develops throughout the book with family issues, death and baseball. Anyone who has played little league would enjoy the story.
The reason why I gave it five stars is because I can relate this book to my life.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 4, 202011-year-old Ruth DiMarco is a star shortstop with dreams of playing in the major leagues. A writer from Sports Illustrated has come all the way to her small hometown in Maine to interview her for a story. When Ruth overhears her dad comment that all her talent is wasted on a girl, Ruth suddenly doubts herself and her dreams. She turns to friends and family members, including her mom, a heroic firefighter who died when Ruth was only 3, in search of answers. A short coming of age story, great for readers 8-12 years old.
August 20, 2025
Ruth DiMarco was named after Babe Ruth. She loves baseball, excells in baseball. When she overhears her father, a sports writer, mention that is was too bad her talent was wasted on a girl, "Babe" is heart-broken. What we she do if she cannot play ball- her whole life?
Great book exploring those first middle years when one is dreaming what one can be. And are their limits for girls?
Good book exploring this option.
Great book exploring those first middle years when one is dreaming what one can be. And are their limits for girls?
Good book exploring this option.
January 27, 2012
Have you ever had your mom or dad tell you that you’re wasting your time trying to chase your dreams? Well, eleven year old Ruth did. Ever since she did, she’s been giving her dream second thoughts.
The title really goes with the main event in the story. Maria Testa is a good author. The genre is nonfiction. Well, twenty minutes before her game she warmed up with her coach. The parents were very impressed. They asked her dad if he was proud of her as they crowded around him. He said “Yeah, real major league talent, but I can’t help but think its ashamed it’s wasted on a girl!!”. Did she hear him? Was it really him that said that? Is it true?
I would recommend this book to both girls and boys who wonder where they’re headed and how they’ll achieve their potential. I love this book because I love softball and baseball and I could relate to it in many ways.
This book gave me lots of different emotions. It made me feel sad, proud, and excited. The book made me feel proud because Ruth showed a lot of boys that girls can do what boys can do. I was excited because their baseball games, it would be the fourth inning and they would be down by a couple of points and they would make lots of amazing plays! You have to really be in to baseball and softball to understand the story.
I thought the book was really interesting. The book really got me in a lot of the events. I want to read this book again. I hope you like the book too.
The title really goes with the main event in the story. Maria Testa is a good author. The genre is nonfiction. Well, twenty minutes before her game she warmed up with her coach. The parents were very impressed. They asked her dad if he was proud of her as they crowded around him. He said “Yeah, real major league talent, but I can’t help but think its ashamed it’s wasted on a girl!!”. Did she hear him? Was it really him that said that? Is it true?
I would recommend this book to both girls and boys who wonder where they’re headed and how they’ll achieve their potential. I love this book because I love softball and baseball and I could relate to it in many ways.
This book gave me lots of different emotions. It made me feel sad, proud, and excited. The book made me feel proud because Ruth showed a lot of boys that girls can do what boys can do. I was excited because their baseball games, it would be the fourth inning and they would be down by a couple of points and they would make lots of amazing plays! You have to really be in to baseball and softball to understand the story.
I thought the book was really interesting. The book really got me in a lot of the events. I want to read this book again. I hope you like the book too.
Read
December 24, 2013AR Quiz No. 54174 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.4 - AR Pts: 3.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 4.4 - AR Pts: 3.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, VP
January 8, 2022
Ruth DiMarco copes with being an incredible baseball player (but female) and with her mother's death 8 yrs ago. Sasquatch Award 2004
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews