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In a League of Her Own
From the author of Sisters in Arms comes the incredible, untold story of Effa Manley, a black businesswoman in the male dominated baseball industry, and, currently, the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
1930s, New York City
An ambitious Harlem woman’s husband upends her social climbing when he buys a Negro Leagues baseball team and appoints her as the team’s business manager. Overnight, Effa Manley goes from 125th Street’s civil rights champion to an interloper in the boys’ club that is professional baseball.
Navigating her way through gentlemen’s agreement contracts, the very public flirtatious antics of superstar Satchel Paige, and a sports world that would much rather see this woman back in her “place” at home, Effa ultimately whips her team, the Newark Eagles, into the Negro Leagues Champions of 1946. But how long will she get to enjoy the fruits of her success before Major League Baseball tears it all apart?
Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team.
1930s, New York City
An ambitious Harlem woman’s husband upends her social climbing when he buys a Negro Leagues baseball team and appoints her as the team’s business manager. Overnight, Effa Manley goes from 125th Street’s civil rights champion to an interloper in the boys’ club that is professional baseball.
Navigating her way through gentlemen’s agreement contracts, the very public flirtatious antics of superstar Satchel Paige, and a sports world that would much rather see this woman back in her “place” at home, Effa ultimately whips her team, the Newark Eagles, into the Negro Leagues Champions of 1946. But how long will she get to enjoy the fruits of her success before Major League Baseball tears it all apart?
Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team.
384 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 6, 2024
59 people are currently reading
7220 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
April 24, 2024
I love baseball and learning about women history should have remembered. I was so excited to read this book for those reasons, and it unfortunately fell flat for me.
There isn't much baseball, and I never understood why Effa liked baseball at all. This YA book is extremely heavy on the telling with no showing to even hint at backing up the telling. For example, the book opens at a baseball game with Effa not caring what's happening on the field until she happens to catch a homerun ball. Then we are told she falls madly in love with baseball at that exact moment. But her actions suggest she loved the attention of catching the ball, not the sport. And baseball doesn't really come up again save a few mentions until halfway into the book.
The writing is extremely confusing, which makes getting to know Effa's character quite difficult. One example: We read marrying her husband "was, hands down, the smartest thing Effa had ever done." And four sentences later, we read, "But at the same time, she was convinced that she made a huge mistake" in marrying him.
Reading about Effa on the Baseball Hall of Fame's Web site is far more informative, I thought, about what she contributed to the sport, what she accomplished and why she is an inspiration. I really didn't learn much about her by reading this book, and the lack of baseball really was disappointing to me. Plus, the YA writing and confusing storytelling made finishing the book a struggle, unfortunately. Maybe I'm not the target audience.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
There isn't much baseball, and I never understood why Effa liked baseball at all. This YA book is extremely heavy on the telling with no showing to even hint at backing up the telling. For example, the book opens at a baseball game with Effa not caring what's happening on the field until she happens to catch a homerun ball. Then we are told she falls madly in love with baseball at that exact moment. But her actions suggest she loved the attention of catching the ball, not the sport. And baseball doesn't really come up again save a few mentions until halfway into the book.
The writing is extremely confusing, which makes getting to know Effa's character quite difficult. One example: We read marrying her husband "was, hands down, the smartest thing Effa had ever done." And four sentences later, we read, "But at the same time, she was convinced that she made a huge mistake" in marrying him.
Reading about Effa on the Baseball Hall of Fame's Web site is far more informative, I thought, about what she contributed to the sport, what she accomplished and why she is an inspiration. I really didn't learn much about her by reading this book, and the lack of baseball really was disappointing to me. Plus, the YA writing and confusing storytelling made finishing the book a struggle, unfortunately. Maybe I'm not the target audience.
I received a free advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 27, 2024
This story begins in 1930’s Harlem, and is based on the life of Effa Manley, a woman who had a passion for baseball, and whose husband buys a Negro Leagues baseball team, and Effa Manley ends up their team’s business manager.
She struggles to be accepted by the members of the team, and she eventually is slowly accepted by a few, although there are several who seem to believe that she should be at home cleaning, or cooking in the kitchen. But Effa is not one to give in or give up.
While Effa appears on the surface to be white, when a store clerk asks what she can do to help her, at the same time ignoring another black woman who has been waiting for assistance, Effa lets it be known that she wants her to wait on the other woman, which doesn’t go over very well.
Meanwhile, in an era and sport which believed baseball was strictly a man’s world, Effa rules.
I enjoyed how Effa Manley’s story was shared, her internal strength in an era when women were largely diminished and dismissed by men was inspiring, and I enjoyed reading her story.
Pub Date: 06 Aug 2024
Many thanks for the ARC provided by William Morrow / William Morrow Paperbacks
June 12, 2024
Note: Thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow Publishing, and Kaia Alderson for the advanced reader copy of the book. This review will also be posted on NetGalley. What follows is my unbiased review of the book.
I had recently seen a documentary of Negro League baseball which mentioned Effa Manley, so when I saw she was the subject of this book, I knew I had to read it. This is a fictionalized account of her life, based on what could be gleaned from accounts of her life.
Effa Manley was born a mixed-race woman at a time when just the hint of black ancestry defined a person. Her stepfather was black, but her mother’s ancestry is up for debate and it’s believed she was the product of an affair her mother had with her (white) boss. When she moved to New York City, she lived in Harlem but was white enough to get jobs normally reserved for white women. She had dreams of opening her own business designing and selling hats.
It was at a New York Yankees game that she met the man who would be her second and most beloved husband, Abe Manley. Manley had a background as a gambler, and considerable wealth, which enabled Effa to be embraced by the wealthy Harlem socialites. Almost immediately she began organizing protests in Harlem over the businesses which catered to black clientele but refused to hire blacks to work for them.
Embracing their love of baseball, Abe bought a Negro League baseball franchise. It started out in Brooklyn, but the competition for attendance proved difficult and after just a year the Manleys moved it to Newark, New Jersey. At a time when there were few women baseball executives, white or black, Effa worked in the league office and ran the day-to-day operations of the team. She advocated for better treatment of the players and scheduled promotional events that highlighted civil rights. She also had the foresight to know that sooner or later, Major League Baseball would integrate and pleaded with the other Negro League owners to plan for that day. Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
to read my full review please go to In a League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson
I had recently seen a documentary of Negro League baseball which mentioned Effa Manley, so when I saw she was the subject of this book, I knew I had to read it. This is a fictionalized account of her life, based on what could be gleaned from accounts of her life.
Effa Manley was born a mixed-race woman at a time when just the hint of black ancestry defined a person. Her stepfather was black, but her mother’s ancestry is up for debate and it’s believed she was the product of an affair her mother had with her (white) boss. When she moved to New York City, she lived in Harlem but was white enough to get jobs normally reserved for white women. She had dreams of opening her own business designing and selling hats.
It was at a New York Yankees game that she met the man who would be her second and most beloved husband, Abe Manley. Manley had a background as a gambler, and considerable wealth, which enabled Effa to be embraced by the wealthy Harlem socialites. Almost immediately she began organizing protests in Harlem over the businesses which catered to black clientele but refused to hire blacks to work for them.
Embracing their love of baseball, Abe bought a Negro League baseball franchise. It started out in Brooklyn, but the competition for attendance proved difficult and after just a year the Manleys moved it to Newark, New Jersey. At a time when there were few women baseball executives, white or black, Effa worked in the league office and ran the day-to-day operations of the team. She advocated for better treatment of the players and scheduled promotional events that highlighted civil rights. She also had the foresight to know that sooner or later, Major League Baseball would integrate and pleaded with the other Negro League owners to plan for that day. Her pleas fell on deaf ears.
to read my full review please go to In a League of Her Own by Kaia Alderson
March 30, 2024
DNF @ 30%
Unfortunately I think this is a case of “not necessarily a bad book, just not the book for me”
I picked up this book under the assumption that it would be mainly about baseball. However, 30% into this book and there really hasn’t been any development in that story line and honestly not much happened at all. I think the pacing just wasn’t what I was looking for. It was told in short segments that didn’t add a whole lot to the plot and didn’t really keep my interest. I did think it was well written I just wasn’t invested enough to finish the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC
Unfortunately I think this is a case of “not necessarily a bad book, just not the book for me”
I picked up this book under the assumption that it would be mainly about baseball. However, 30% into this book and there really hasn’t been any development in that story line and honestly not much happened at all. I think the pacing just wasn’t what I was looking for. It was told in short segments that didn’t add a whole lot to the plot and didn’t really keep my interest. I did think it was well written I just wasn’t invested enough to finish the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for the ARC
May 23, 2025
2.5 stars
Despite being advertised as a book about baseball, there was a surprising lack of baseball scenes. Additionally, I would have liked to learn more about her day-to-day work for the team; her work was frequently mentioned/alluded to, but never explained in great detail. Effa did important work and I want to know why it was Hall of Fame worthy. Also, it was important to delve into her history as a community organizer, so I am not upset about that inclusion, but I wish the book was advertised as such. I would have still read the book, but would not have been caught off guard by how long it took to get to the part of the book where she co-owned a baseball team.
Despite being advertised as a book about baseball, there was a surprising lack of baseball scenes. Additionally, I would have liked to learn more about her day-to-day work for the team; her work was frequently mentioned/alluded to, but never explained in great detail. Effa did important work and I want to know why it was Hall of Fame worthy. Also, it was important to delve into her history as a community organizer, so I am not upset about that inclusion, but I wish the book was advertised as such. I would have still read the book, but would not have been caught off guard by how long it took to get to the part of the book where she co-owned a baseball team.
May 13, 2024
Interesting story that I never knew before. Effa is given a Negro League Baseball team to run. She puts up a fight with men and gets things done. I liked that before she gets the ball team, it talks about her civil rights among blacks, especially black women in the workforce. Enough dialogue to keep it moving.
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC
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December 18, 2025There were parts I liked and parts I didn't like. DNF at 70 something percent. main character is not someone I can easily root for as she's too fixated on herself.
September 14, 2024
My second book by Kaia Alderson, and I appreciate her writing as she highlights women of color who have made a significant impact with their lives but have not frequently been highlighted in history. In Alderson’s first book, Sisters in Arms, she introduces us to an all female, African American military until in WW2. This book introduces us to Effa Manley, who is currently, the only woman in the Baseball Hall of Fame.
Manley was co-owner of a baseball team in the Negro Leagues in the 1930s-40s. I first was introduced to her last summer when I visited the Negro League Hall of Fame. As a lifelong baseball fan, I was eager to know more of her story. Alderson’s book, In a League of Her Own, shares Effa’s story with detail and delight. I could not put this one down, and I am so glad that I read it! Manley boldly walked and soared in the male-dominated baseball arena with expertise, boldness, and might. I wish I could have met her!
Manley was co-owner of a baseball team in the Negro Leagues in the 1930s-40s. I first was introduced to her last summer when I visited the Negro League Hall of Fame. As a lifelong baseball fan, I was eager to know more of her story. Alderson’s book, In a League of Her Own, shares Effa’s story with detail and delight. I could not put this one down, and I am so glad that I read it! Manley boldly walked and soared in the male-dominated baseball arena with expertise, boldness, and might. I wish I could have met her!
December 29, 2024
This latest from Kaia Alderson is based on a true story and shares a fictionalized account of Effa Manley, a light skinned Black woman who remains the only woman to have been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame celebrated for her work helping manage the Newark Eagles, one of the Negro Baseball League teams in the 1940s. Her story is one of perseverance, hard-won success, romance, loss and activism at a time when women weren't welcomed in the men's club of sports or business but were expected to stay at home as wives and mothers. Perfect for anyone who loved A league of their own or the book, Home and away by Rochelle Alers. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review!! Kaia does such a great job shedding light on the little known achievements of African American women of the past!
July 5, 2024
Author: Kaia Alderson
Started: July 1, 2024
Finished: July 3, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Effa Manley knew she was destined for more than working in someone else's store - she was meant to be the boss. After marrying her second husband, she began to climb Harlem's social ladder. She quickly makes her name as a civic leader and then her husband buys a baseball team in the Negro League. Effa quickly shows herself as a no-nonsense boss who always does right by her team. Thank to her hardwork, she becomes the first, and still only, woman inducted into the baseball hall of fame.
I'm starting to understand that some of the most interesting women in history are those who are never discussed. Effa was a firecracker for sure but she was also exceptionally bright. She was a born leader. That being said, I felt some of the story, if true, should have remained private. I just don't see how writing about her and her husband's bedroom arrangements mattered in the course of the story. I liked the story of her life and widh I'd learned of her soon.
Started: July 1, 2024
Finished: July 3, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: Historical Fiction
Effa Manley knew she was destined for more than working in someone else's store - she was meant to be the boss. After marrying her second husband, she began to climb Harlem's social ladder. She quickly makes her name as a civic leader and then her husband buys a baseball team in the Negro League. Effa quickly shows herself as a no-nonsense boss who always does right by her team. Thank to her hardwork, she becomes the first, and still only, woman inducted into the baseball hall of fame.
I'm starting to understand that some of the most interesting women in history are those who are never discussed. Effa was a firecracker for sure but she was also exceptionally bright. She was a born leader. That being said, I felt some of the story, if true, should have remained private. I just don't see how writing about her and her husband's bedroom arrangements mattered in the course of the story. I liked the story of her life and widh I'd learned of her soon.
October 12, 2024
I had a hard time liking the main character in this book. It was interesting to learn about her and her role in the Negro Leagues, but she just seemed to make several poor choices that were annoying.
February 20, 2025
I found this book to be fairly accurate historically and entertaining as a work of fiction. This is my first book with this author but mot my last
January 15, 2026
3.5
it was a pleasure learning Effa's story. I did not know who she was or that a black woman had such a major impact on Negro League baseball. she lived a fascinating life.
it was a pleasure learning Effa's story. I did not know who she was or that a black woman had such a major impact on Negro League baseball. she lived a fascinating life.
August 6, 2024
*[I voluntarily received a complimentary e-copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts below are my own and I was not required to post a positive review.]
I really enjoyed this book. I like baseball and I thought this was a fun read of something I actually didn't know much about.
However, I wish more of the book had been about baseball. I get that the book was focusing on her life, but the baseball team didn't come into the story till about halfway through the book. A good percentage of the book was about her personal relationships, and I felt the author kept reiterating the same points multiple times. For example, her marriage to Abe wasn't traditional, and while she reworded it a few times, the fact that she mentioned it so many times felt a little redundant to me.
That being said, I did enjoy this read. You really got behind Effa and her fight for racism and sexism despite the her obstacles as both a woman and being light skinned.
** Cautionary content: divorce, racism, sexism, sensuality,
I really enjoyed this book. I like baseball and I thought this was a fun read of something I actually didn't know much about.
However, I wish more of the book had been about baseball. I get that the book was focusing on her life, but the baseball team didn't come into the story till about halfway through the book. A good percentage of the book was about her personal relationships, and I felt the author kept reiterating the same points multiple times. For example, her marriage to Abe wasn't traditional, and while she reworded it a few times, the fact that she mentioned it so many times felt a little redundant to me.
That being said, I did enjoy this read. You really got behind Effa and her fight for racism and sexism despite the her obstacles as both a woman and being light skinned.
** Cautionary content: divorce, racism, sexism, sensuality,
December 1, 2024
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
In a League of Her Own is my second read by author Kaia Alderson. I really enjoyed Sisters in Arms, and highly anticipated her sophomoric, historical fiction novel. In this story, we learn about Effa Manley, a Black business-minded woman who wanted more for herself than to be someone’s wife or mother. In this, I could relate. The book synopsis teases that she becomes a pivotal figure in the male-dominated industry of baseball and, to date, the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Effa Manley the person seems larger than life, but this dramatized retelling of her life fell short for me.
While the writing is solid, the structure of the novel didn’t flow very well, and I think the reader should have walked away with an appreciation of Manley’s glass-breaking efforts. However, she was presented in a disappointing way. The relationship with her husband was odd, and I’m not sure what value it added to this story. The main character seemed a little self-absorbed and more focused on her name, pride, and reputation than the good of the community.
I also thought the book would be more focused on her career in the baseball industry, but two-thirds of the story focused on her career in fashion and local civil rights. So, the title almost seems to be a misnomer. Additionally, because the author took so many liberties with the story, additional research is required to determine which parts are fictional and which are historical.
Recommendation: I did enjoy picking up on some of the cross-over characters from Sisters in Arms, and I do want to know more about Manley’s real life, but perhaps because my expectations were high, this one was a bit of a letdown for me. I think if you know what you’re getting before reading this, it could be a more enjoyable read. I am hopeful this review helps with that.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
In a League of Her Own is my second read by author Kaia Alderson. I really enjoyed Sisters in Arms, and highly anticipated her sophomoric, historical fiction novel. In this story, we learn about Effa Manley, a Black business-minded woman who wanted more for herself than to be someone’s wife or mother. In this, I could relate. The book synopsis teases that she becomes a pivotal figure in the male-dominated industry of baseball and, to date, the only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Effa Manley the person seems larger than life, but this dramatized retelling of her life fell short for me.
While the writing is solid, the structure of the novel didn’t flow very well, and I think the reader should have walked away with an appreciation of Manley’s glass-breaking efforts. However, she was presented in a disappointing way. The relationship with her husband was odd, and I’m not sure what value it added to this story. The main character seemed a little self-absorbed and more focused on her name, pride, and reputation than the good of the community.
I also thought the book would be more focused on her career in the baseball industry, but two-thirds of the story focused on her career in fashion and local civil rights. So, the title almost seems to be a misnomer. Additionally, because the author took so many liberties with the story, additional research is required to determine which parts are fictional and which are historical.
Recommendation: I did enjoy picking up on some of the cross-over characters from Sisters in Arms, and I do want to know more about Manley’s real life, but perhaps because my expectations were high, this one was a bit of a letdown for me. I think if you know what you’re getting before reading this, it could be a more enjoyable read. I am hopeful this review helps with that.
Until next time ... Read on!
Regardless of whether I purchase a book, borrow a book, or receive a book in exchange for review, my ultimate goal is to be honest, fair, and constructive. I hope you've found this review helpful.
Read all of my reviews at bit.ly/PageBedtime
April 1, 2024
Thank you @netgalley and @williammorrowbooks for the eARC of In a League of Her Own by @kaiawrites in exchange for an honest review!
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 In a League of Her Own brings a whole new love and appreciation for baseball. I will admit that I had never heard of Effa Manley, the first and only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a female entrepreneur ahead of her time and a civil rights activist. I am eternally grateful for this beautiful book written by Kaia Anderson so that I could have a proper introduction and deep dive into Effa Manley’s life! And what a remarkable life it was. The journey back into the past is remarkably written and gives an honest look at what was like for black people at this time. In A League of Her Own is a fantastic read and a wonderful journey through a deserving history that is not represented enough.
4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
📖📖 Book Review 📖📖 In a League of Her Own brings a whole new love and appreciation for baseball. I will admit that I had never heard of Effa Manley, the first and only woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a female entrepreneur ahead of her time and a civil rights activist. I am eternally grateful for this beautiful book written by Kaia Anderson so that I could have a proper introduction and deep dive into Effa Manley’s life! And what a remarkable life it was. The journey back into the past is remarkably written and gives an honest look at what was like for black people at this time. In A League of Her Own is a fantastic read and a wonderful journey through a deserving history that is not represented enough.
4.5/⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
July 18, 2024
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway. I think that the book’s premise and the issues it tackles are compelling and meaningful. I love the idea of honoring the untold stories of historical figures, specifically Black women, who have irrevocably shaped many fields. This specific book fell a little flat for me. It approached so many important topics, like colorism, heteronormativity, sexual dysfunction, and sexism, but it lacked a nuanced exploration from a well-developed character. Effa is written to be abandoning a life long dream tied to a personal artistic passion, and her response to her husband’s unilateral decision to buy a baseball team and make her do all of the work is explained away in a couple of pages as a hopeful strategy to improve their marriage. It seemed to reinforce some of the stereotypes it could (and seems to aim to) have been fighting. She seemed naive and disempowered in multiple, pivotal plot points. I’m glad to have heard her name though!
August 7, 2024
This was a pretty good read, not as deep or extensive as I like my historical novels but gives you a good brush of the history and work of Effie Manley. I am not a sports fan at all so once the story line pivoted to heavy baseball, I started to fade. I was much more interested in Manley's civil rights work, which continued through her and her husband's ownership of a Negro Leagues baseball team.
A couple of things:
1. I never figured out what was up with her husband??? They were married all that time and... ???? I kept going back over the book but did not find any explanation for Abe.
2. Effie was light skinned- light enough to pass. If you didn't know that, it was obvious in the book. In every chapter her skin was turning red or pink. I feel like this was a bit of a crutch and frequent use was obvious.
I listened to this in audio and it was very well performed.
A couple of things:
1. I never figured out what was up with her husband??? They were married all that time and... ???? I kept going back over the book but did not find any explanation for Abe.
2. Effie was light skinned- light enough to pass. If you didn't know that, it was obvious in the book. In every chapter her skin was turning red or pink. I feel like this was a bit of a crutch and frequent use was obvious.
I listened to this in audio and it was very well performed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 27, 2024
(3.75 rounded to 4.0).
Life in the 1930s was complicated if you were a mixed race child born into a mixed race family as was Effa Manley. Effa was first a skilled milliner and an active Civil Rights activist and then the business manager and co-owner with her husband, Abe Manley, first for the NNL’s Brooklyn Eagles, later for the Newark Eagles. Effa learned to love the game of baseball while also being courted by Abe Manley, a wealthy retired numbers runner. Buying in as a co-partner in the Eagles gave the Manleys an entry into the world of professional baseball under the Negro National League. In 1933, the Manleys applied for and received permission from the League to start a new team to be known as the Newark Eagles, running the team together until 1950 when they sold out due to Abe’s health, and taking the team to the League championship in 1946. Effa ran all of the team’s business activities and Abe was responsible for work with the players, filling a role of part manager, part coach. Abe was many years older than his young wife and Effa had several romantic liaisons, including with Eagles players, during their marriage. For this service to the sport, she was inducted as the first woman inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In this book, Alderson has focused on Effa’s life during this period when she was one of a few women involved in professional baseball. She also covers Effa’s activities in the area of Civil Rights. From a young age, Effa organized protests, negotiated terms with business owners who served the African American community and assisted its members in developing Black-owned businesses. Being a light-skinned woman, she was usually perceived as white, although she identified as Black. This issue about whether she was actually Black was a source of confusion all of her life. Effa herself, maintained that she had a white father and a mixed race mother. Near the end of her life, she did indicate that this might not have been strictly truthful. However, she was raised as a mixed race child and lived her adult life within the African American community. Given her life of service to the cause, I don’t believe it made any difference. She did not deny having African American heritage and there were many Black residents of New York who had jobs they wouldn’t have had without her efforts and the road toward full participation in the sport of baseball for those like Jackie Robinson would have been even rockier than it was.
This narrative fiction work is based closely on the facts of Manley’s life with many of the episodes matters of public record or reported by witnesses. It is tempting for writers in this genre to err toward the area of biography and write the book as a historical certainty. It is a talent to be able to meld the fiction of a plausible story and the non-fiction elements into a seamless, interesting story. This author did well in this area. There was some recitation of facts but it didn’t overwhelm the story. This appears to be the second book of this author so I look forward to her other work. Given that books about both African American and women in leadership are still somewhat scarse, this book fills a need. Recommend to readers interested in Black History, Baseball, and female leadership.
Life in the 1930s was complicated if you were a mixed race child born into a mixed race family as was Effa Manley. Effa was first a skilled milliner and an active Civil Rights activist and then the business manager and co-owner with her husband, Abe Manley, first for the NNL’s Brooklyn Eagles, later for the Newark Eagles. Effa learned to love the game of baseball while also being courted by Abe Manley, a wealthy retired numbers runner. Buying in as a co-partner in the Eagles gave the Manleys an entry into the world of professional baseball under the Negro National League. In 1933, the Manleys applied for and received permission from the League to start a new team to be known as the Newark Eagles, running the team together until 1950 when they sold out due to Abe’s health, and taking the team to the League championship in 1946. Effa ran all of the team’s business activities and Abe was responsible for work with the players, filling a role of part manager, part coach. Abe was many years older than his young wife and Effa had several romantic liaisons, including with Eagles players, during their marriage. For this service to the sport, she was inducted as the first woman inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
In this book, Alderson has focused on Effa’s life during this period when she was one of a few women involved in professional baseball. She also covers Effa’s activities in the area of Civil Rights. From a young age, Effa organized protests, negotiated terms with business owners who served the African American community and assisted its members in developing Black-owned businesses. Being a light-skinned woman, she was usually perceived as white, although she identified as Black. This issue about whether she was actually Black was a source of confusion all of her life. Effa herself, maintained that she had a white father and a mixed race mother. Near the end of her life, she did indicate that this might not have been strictly truthful. However, she was raised as a mixed race child and lived her adult life within the African American community. Given her life of service to the cause, I don’t believe it made any difference. She did not deny having African American heritage and there were many Black residents of New York who had jobs they wouldn’t have had without her efforts and the road toward full participation in the sport of baseball for those like Jackie Robinson would have been even rockier than it was.
This narrative fiction work is based closely on the facts of Manley’s life with many of the episodes matters of public record or reported by witnesses. It is tempting for writers in this genre to err toward the area of biography and write the book as a historical certainty. It is a talent to be able to meld the fiction of a plausible story and the non-fiction elements into a seamless, interesting story. This author did well in this area. There was some recitation of facts but it didn’t overwhelm the story. This appears to be the second book of this author so I look forward to her other work. Given that books about both African American and women in leadership are still somewhat scarse, this book fills a need. Recommend to readers interested in Black History, Baseball, and female leadership.
July 10, 2024
I received an eARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher, for which I thank them.
I really have mixed feelings about “In a League of Her Own” by Kaia Alderson. On one hand, I strongly believe that more stories about the Negro Baseball League should be known, especially the unsung heroes and stories. On that point, this book fulfilled that hope. I also believe that there are many stories of the “unsung female heroes” of baseball - not only wives supporting husbands pursuing their passions but also, as the saying goes, “the women behind the men” who did the logistics especially during the early days of baseball. In that way, this book also fulfilled that hope. I knew a little bit about Effa Manley before reading this book, so I was hoping this book would give me more information. In some ways it did - I didn’t know about her pushing for rights for women (from creating jobs to just basic rights) or how passionately she believed about equal treatment for the players in the game of baseball (and, more accurately, the game of life). What I found disappointing was how - for lack of a better word - awkward parts of this book came across. Effa “falls in love with baseball” the moment she catches a home run ball — after complaining about the game, being at the game, etc. - but when all eyes were on her when she caught the ball, then she fell in love. Was it the attention? Also, there’s a play (Shuffle Along) mentioned a number of times - not a big deal, but every time the reader is reminded it was an all-Black Broadway play. Important for audiences to know - yes, of course as it was the first and inspired interest in all Black musicals - but it felt like Ms. Alderson couldn’t refrain from repeating those facts along with the name of the play. I also hoped this book would include a bit more baseball than it did - especially with that title - baseball does happen throughout the story, but it comes in small doses until about half-way through the book. There’s a lot of simplistic language and a lot of telling, not showing - could this possibly be for a YA audience? So, I’m on the fence about how I feel after reading this book. Yet I do feel that Effa Manley’s story should be one people know, so even a glimpse into her life is worth a read. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because I do think this is a subject people should know about, even if they look at online sources for more information.
I really have mixed feelings about “In a League of Her Own” by Kaia Alderson. On one hand, I strongly believe that more stories about the Negro Baseball League should be known, especially the unsung heroes and stories. On that point, this book fulfilled that hope. I also believe that there are many stories of the “unsung female heroes” of baseball - not only wives supporting husbands pursuing their passions but also, as the saying goes, “the women behind the men” who did the logistics especially during the early days of baseball. In that way, this book also fulfilled that hope. I knew a little bit about Effa Manley before reading this book, so I was hoping this book would give me more information. In some ways it did - I didn’t know about her pushing for rights for women (from creating jobs to just basic rights) or how passionately she believed about equal treatment for the players in the game of baseball (and, more accurately, the game of life). What I found disappointing was how - for lack of a better word - awkward parts of this book came across. Effa “falls in love with baseball” the moment she catches a home run ball — after complaining about the game, being at the game, etc. - but when all eyes were on her when she caught the ball, then she fell in love. Was it the attention? Also, there’s a play (Shuffle Along) mentioned a number of times - not a big deal, but every time the reader is reminded it was an all-Black Broadway play. Important for audiences to know - yes, of course as it was the first and inspired interest in all Black musicals - but it felt like Ms. Alderson couldn’t refrain from repeating those facts along with the name of the play. I also hoped this book would include a bit more baseball than it did - especially with that title - baseball does happen throughout the story, but it comes in small doses until about half-way through the book. There’s a lot of simplistic language and a lot of telling, not showing - could this possibly be for a YA audience? So, I’m on the fence about how I feel after reading this book. Yet I do feel that Effa Manley’s story should be one people know, so even a glimpse into her life is worth a read. 3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 because I do think this is a subject people should know about, even if they look at online sources for more information.
July 31, 2024
Historical fiction about strong, independent women always grabs me. After reading the synopsis of Kaia Alderson's In a League of Her Own, I couldn’t wait to get started learning more about Effa Manley, the first woman to manage a Negro baseball team. I found this book interesting and enjoyable but also a bit repetitious in describing Effa's obsession with recognition and acceptance.
Effa easily passed for white but identified as Negro. She lived in the Negro part of Harlem, working in New York City as a ‘white” woman. She dreamed of owning her own millenary shop where her hat designs would be sought after, making her famous. Instead, her marriage to Abe Manley provided her the entree into the social life and society pages of her community in Harlem and beyond. Reading about the social life of the wealthy Negroes of Harlem was amazing. I had no idea this world existed and enjoyed reading how social status impacted the politics of that time.
Abe and Effa purchased the Newark Eagles, a team in the Negro Baseball League. I knew nothing about the Negro Baseball League before reading this book and I wish more information about the League had been included in Effa’s story. She was successful on different levels - in the world of Negro baseball, as an activist, especially in her efforts to integrate the department stores in Harlem, and in the civil rights movement. Her focus on reaching the highest pinnacles of society often interfered with being honest and aboveboard, as well a good friend when that got in the way of business decisions.
The expectations of women in the 1930’s and after the war weren’t surprising; let the husband make the decisions, women should be seen and not heard, etc. That was a wall Effa hit over and over as she managed a successful baseball team. She persevered, though, fighting the rejections in order to realize her goals. Even today, the belief that women belong at home as a “happy homemaker” raising a family prevails in parts of America.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for an eArc of In a League of Her Own in exchange for my honest review.
Effa easily passed for white but identified as Negro. She lived in the Negro part of Harlem, working in New York City as a ‘white” woman. She dreamed of owning her own millenary shop where her hat designs would be sought after, making her famous. Instead, her marriage to Abe Manley provided her the entree into the social life and society pages of her community in Harlem and beyond. Reading about the social life of the wealthy Negroes of Harlem was amazing. I had no idea this world existed and enjoyed reading how social status impacted the politics of that time.
Abe and Effa purchased the Newark Eagles, a team in the Negro Baseball League. I knew nothing about the Negro Baseball League before reading this book and I wish more information about the League had been included in Effa’s story. She was successful on different levels - in the world of Negro baseball, as an activist, especially in her efforts to integrate the department stores in Harlem, and in the civil rights movement. Her focus on reaching the highest pinnacles of society often interfered with being honest and aboveboard, as well a good friend when that got in the way of business decisions.
The expectations of women in the 1930’s and after the war weren’t surprising; let the husband make the decisions, women should be seen and not heard, etc. That was a wall Effa hit over and over as she managed a successful baseball team. She persevered, though, fighting the rejections in order to realize her goals. Even today, the belief that women belong at home as a “happy homemaker” raising a family prevails in parts of America.
Thank you to NetGalley and William Morrow Books for an eArc of In a League of Her Own in exchange for my honest review.
August 13, 2024
"Based on the incredible life of Effa Manley, an unforgettable and inspiring story about a woman with a dream who wound up with a baseball team."
This sums up the book perfectly. It encompasses the hope, the joy, the heartache, the dreams, the goals, the changes, everything that Effa Manley went through in her incredible life. After a divorce, Effa is struggling to make her way in the world. She is pale skinned but is African American in a world that doesn't accept that. She is doing better than most because she can pass for white but she loves her people. Her dream is to open up her own millinery shop and is working hard toward that goal. Her goals and dreams are changed when she marries again.
Effa begins the social ladder climbing that having money allows. Then her husband suddenly decides to buy a Negro League baseball team, the Newark Eagles, and her dreams have to shift once again. She becomes the office manager of the team, handling all of the office work, planning, contracts, and more. She pushes the team hard and finds she really enjoys baseball. In 1946, the team wins the league title. But the end is coming as Major League Baseball starts to take note.
This was an incredible read about an incredible lady. It is based on fact but it not strictly a biography, as noted by the author at the end. It was intriguing and I found myself looking up more information about Effa Manley. She was quite the woman and this story brought her to life for me. I truly enjoyed reading and didn't want to put her story down. She has guts and hope and charisma and all those things that we admire in people who change the world. And Effa definitely did that in her own sphere and all the shadow of her sphere touched. She was an inspiration.
When a book causes you to take note and to desire to learn more, it is a book not to be missed. In A League of Her Own is very much worth taking the time to read. You will not regret the change in perspective this will bring. And you will enjoy getting to know Effa Manley.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author through NetGalley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
This sums up the book perfectly. It encompasses the hope, the joy, the heartache, the dreams, the goals, the changes, everything that Effa Manley went through in her incredible life. After a divorce, Effa is struggling to make her way in the world. She is pale skinned but is African American in a world that doesn't accept that. She is doing better than most because she can pass for white but she loves her people. Her dream is to open up her own millinery shop and is working hard toward that goal. Her goals and dreams are changed when she marries again.
Effa begins the social ladder climbing that having money allows. Then her husband suddenly decides to buy a Negro League baseball team, the Newark Eagles, and her dreams have to shift once again. She becomes the office manager of the team, handling all of the office work, planning, contracts, and more. She pushes the team hard and finds she really enjoys baseball. In 1946, the team wins the league title. But the end is coming as Major League Baseball starts to take note.
This was an incredible read about an incredible lady. It is based on fact but it not strictly a biography, as noted by the author at the end. It was intriguing and I found myself looking up more information about Effa Manley. She was quite the woman and this story brought her to life for me. I truly enjoyed reading and didn't want to put her story down. She has guts and hope and charisma and all those things that we admire in people who change the world. And Effa definitely did that in her own sphere and all the shadow of her sphere touched. She was an inspiration.
When a book causes you to take note and to desire to learn more, it is a book not to be missed. In A League of Her Own is very much worth taking the time to read. You will not regret the change in perspective this will bring. And you will enjoy getting to know Effa Manley.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author through NetGalley. All views expressed are my honest opinion.
November 22, 2024
Very interesting fictional tale about a real person - while the book/story was not my absolute favorite, I did enjoy it. And it did get me very intrigued about Effa Manley and has led me to other non-fiction book as a result, so I'll take that as a win.
I think it could have focused more on the baseball portion of Effa's life. While the leadup is important, you're really trying to sell the story of her baseball career (the only woman in the baseball hall of fame!). The beginning dragged a bit. And I think her character could have been better developed. She's not always likeable, but that can be an interesting thing in a character. It just felt like maybe the author was waffling a little bit on how they wanted us to view her, and we got what seemed like conflicting descriptions or personalities at times.
There was also an interesting conflict with her husband in regards to one specific thing, but we never really got enough details about what was going on there, an explanation, or any sort of satisfactory resolution.
The last thing I feel I must mention - the story really plays up Effa Manley being a black woman (who is very white-passing). Which is a powerful arc, but the truth is that Effa has a pretty complicated story when it comes to race. She stated definitively in an interview before her death that she was white, although some records may indicate mixed blood down the line. The real Effa lived as a black woman most of the time, but would claim whiteness when it suited her. Regardless, it seems a bit disappointing to ignore this complex part of who she was. While the book does address her frustrations at people assuming she is white when she identifies as black (this sentence even feels like a slippery slope), it does so in a way that is very definitive about her being black. It does not at all dig into what Effa's feelings might have been as a woman who was raised and grew up black, but knew that bloodwise she may actually have been white.
So, the story had potential, but I think it's one of those cases where the non-fiction is going to be a better read for me than the historical fiction version (at least, this historical fiction version).
I think it could have focused more on the baseball portion of Effa's life. While the leadup is important, you're really trying to sell the story of her baseball career (the only woman in the baseball hall of fame!). The beginning dragged a bit. And I think her character could have been better developed. She's not always likeable, but that can be an interesting thing in a character. It just felt like maybe the author was waffling a little bit on how they wanted us to view her, and we got what seemed like conflicting descriptions or personalities at times.
There was also an interesting conflict with her husband in regards to one specific thing, but we never really got enough details about what was going on there, an explanation, or any sort of satisfactory resolution.
The last thing I feel I must mention - the story really plays up Effa Manley being a black woman (who is very white-passing). Which is a powerful arc, but the truth is that Effa has a pretty complicated story when it comes to race. She stated definitively in an interview before her death that she was white, although some records may indicate mixed blood down the line. The real Effa lived as a black woman most of the time, but would claim whiteness when it suited her. Regardless, it seems a bit disappointing to ignore this complex part of who she was. While the book does address her frustrations at people assuming she is white when she identifies as black (this sentence even feels like a slippery slope), it does so in a way that is very definitive about her being black. It does not at all dig into what Effa's feelings might have been as a woman who was raised and grew up black, but knew that bloodwise she may actually have been white.
So, the story had potential, but I think it's one of those cases where the non-fiction is going to be a better read for me than the historical fiction version (at least, this historical fiction version).
December 2, 2024
If you read this book with the idea that it is only about baseball, you will be somewhat disappointed. Baseball does not take centerstage until half way through the novel. The story revolves around a black woman, the real-life, Effa Manley, trying to claw her way to the top of the social pages in New York City. Effa was not a likeable person, in my opinion. She spent most of her life attempting to traverse the periphery between white and black society. She was always putting on airs as she rubbed elbows with the hoi-polloi of Harlem, while also using her light complexion to her advantage if it promoted her in her search for fame and fortune. She seemed more interested in making a name for herself than pursuing a career in baseball. Even in her dotage, she continued to flaunt her wealth and ego as she insinuated that the Negro league players would never have made it into the major leagues if it had not been for her promoting them. This may be somewhat true, but I believe that players like Jackie Robinson, Larry Doby, and Bob Gibson would still have made it in the big leagues based on their merit and skills alone. I enjoyed learning about the historical characters in Harlem society during the 1930s and the baseball players in the Negro League, but overall, the novel was more of a soap-opera story that left me kind of bored by the time I finished.
January 5, 2025
In this unique and fascinating historical fiction novel, readers join Effa Manley in 1930s New York City when her husband purchases a Negro Leagues baseball team and appoints her as manager. Going from civil rights advocate to a woman in the box office of the boys’ club of professional baseball, readers follow Effa in the novel -- inspired by the real Effa Manley and bringing her forgotten history to life -- as she takes charge of the Newark Eagles and confronts the naysayers and her professional competitors in the push to the 1946 Negro Leagues Championship series. Effa is absolutely the star of the novel, with a bold and complex personality bursting out of the pages, and the different obstacles in her way highlight a multitude of issues and social movements going on in the mid-twentieth century. Her relationships with various characters -- her husband, her friends, the players, and her professional rivals -- further bring Effa to life by showing how she acted in public and how she challenged every space she walked into. In unveiling this fascinating history of segregated baseball and a competent and capable woman forgotten by history, Kaia Anderson’s new book is a brilliant, immersive, and engaging read that fans of historical fiction and her previous book will love.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the advance copy.
March 22, 2025
When I picked up In a League of Her Own, I was expecting a story about baseball. Much to my surprise, baseball didn’t come into the picture until well into the book. Instead, the story follows Effa, a young woman working in a Harlem hat shop in the 1930s trying to keep afloat.
Effa was such a fascinating character. A narcissist who craved power and social status and felt she deserved the best of things even when she didn’t earn them. A mixed race divorced woman who passed for white when it suited her but resented anyone questioning her race.
A marriage to Abe Manley, a wealthy black man gave Effa a big boost in wealth and status. Suddenly she could buy anything she wanted and was invited to dinner parties by the social elite of Harlem. After her husband suddenly buys a negro baseball team, she finds herself running the team at a time when women didn’t have such roles.
I enjoyed the setting and historical details related to women’s roles, the civil rights movement, the Great Depression, and baseball integration.
Much of the book covers Effa’s flirtations with a couple of different men. I found this to be overdone and cringey. I wanted more on running her baseball team, her relationship with reporters, and her civil rights/charitable work. I had a very different impression of Effa from this book vs what I read online in reading more about her.
Effa was such a fascinating character. A narcissist who craved power and social status and felt she deserved the best of things even when she didn’t earn them. A mixed race divorced woman who passed for white when it suited her but resented anyone questioning her race.
A marriage to Abe Manley, a wealthy black man gave Effa a big boost in wealth and status. Suddenly she could buy anything she wanted and was invited to dinner parties by the social elite of Harlem. After her husband suddenly buys a negro baseball team, she finds herself running the team at a time when women didn’t have such roles.
I enjoyed the setting and historical details related to women’s roles, the civil rights movement, the Great Depression, and baseball integration.
Much of the book covers Effa’s flirtations with a couple of different men. I found this to be overdone and cringey. I wanted more on running her baseball team, her relationship with reporters, and her civil rights/charitable work. I had a very different impression of Effa from this book vs what I read online in reading more about her.
July 7, 2024
Reviewing Effa Manley's Narrative in 'In a League of Her Own
I was immediately drawn to In a League of Her Own as I recently came across the story of Effa Manley and her role in the Negro Leagues. It is promising to see a fictionalized version of her story is now being told to a broader audience. Alderson’s strength in her novel is her inclusion of various historical developments of the period, including civil rights protests in Harlem. I found several inconsistencies within the text, however. For example, in Effa’s conversation with Avis, her friend, their opinions swap on her role in baseball without adequate explanation of that progression. Additionally, the portrayal of financial instability during World War II is contradicted just a few sentences later with claims of high profits. The dialogue is straightforward and simplistic and so may lean towards a younger audience Despite this, the novel delves into mature themes that may surpass typical young adult expectations. Overall, there is a story here that should be told and this narrative opens that door.
I am grateful to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Kaia Alderson’s In a League of Her Own.
I was immediately drawn to In a League of Her Own as I recently came across the story of Effa Manley and her role in the Negro Leagues. It is promising to see a fictionalized version of her story is now being told to a broader audience. Alderson’s strength in her novel is her inclusion of various historical developments of the period, including civil rights protests in Harlem. I found several inconsistencies within the text, however. For example, in Effa’s conversation with Avis, her friend, their opinions swap on her role in baseball without adequate explanation of that progression. Additionally, the portrayal of financial instability during World War II is contradicted just a few sentences later with claims of high profits. The dialogue is straightforward and simplistic and so may lean towards a younger audience Despite this, the novel delves into mature themes that may surpass typical young adult expectations. Overall, there is a story here that should be told and this narrative opens that door.
I am grateful to NetGalley and William Morrow Paperbacks for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Kaia Alderson’s In a League of Her Own.
July 30, 2024
I knew about the Negro baseball leagues in the 1920s to 1940s, but I never knew the drama behind the scenes with the owners, etc. Effa and her husband owned the Eagles in the Negro League. He took care of the players and was the face of the team. Effa took care of all the business items and the behind the scenes details. She had a passion for business, fashion, and hats, but never had the money to open her own shop. Once she married John Manley, he had the money to keep her well taken care of but bought a baseball team instead of putting money into Effa’s dreams. She was a smart, strong Black woman who did not want to sit on the sidelines at league meetings and pushed the other male owners to allow her a seat at the table.
I enjoyed the baseball half of the book more than the first half, but you needed the first half of the story to understand Effa’s background and skills. I love learning about women who broke boundaries and did the unexpected when they were supposed to be wives and mothers without their other ambitions.
If you want to read about an interesting woman who was successful in her business, I highly recommend this book.
#InaLeagueofHerOwn #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own
I enjoyed the baseball half of the book more than the first half, but you needed the first half of the story to understand Effa’s background and skills. I love learning about women who broke boundaries and did the unexpected when they were supposed to be wives and mothers without their other ambitions.
If you want to read about an interesting woman who was successful in her business, I highly recommend this book.
#InaLeagueofHerOwn #NetGalley
Thank you Net Galley for a complimentary copy. All opinions expressed are my own
September 6, 2025
I received this book as a Goodreads giveaway. In her novel Author Kaia Alderson highlights a little-known figure in African American women’s history, Effa Manley. ¨ In a League of Her Own¨ fictionalizes Effa´s experience, who was able to pass as a white woman but identified strongly with her family’s heritage. She defied the conventions of the times and got a divorce. Her second marriage, though, provides her a gateway into her beloved world of baseball. However, even with her husband’s support, the other men resist her involvement. Her determination for success pays off when her team wins the championship. Yet the struggle for success is filled with ups and downs.
The writing is solid, and the structure of the novel flows quite well focusing on Effa´s career in the baseball industry. She worked in the league office and ran the day-to-day operations of the Negro League baseball franchise owned by her husband during the 1930s and 1940s. She also advocated for better treatment of the players and scheduled promotional events that highlighted civil rights. Overall this book is a great bit of insight into that time and what it was like for a person of color who was so light-skinned they could pass for white.
The writing is solid, and the structure of the novel flows quite well focusing on Effa´s career in the baseball industry. She worked in the league office and ran the day-to-day operations of the Negro League baseball franchise owned by her husband during the 1930s and 1940s. She also advocated for better treatment of the players and scheduled promotional events that highlighted civil rights. Overall this book is a great bit of insight into that time and what it was like for a person of color who was so light-skinned they could pass for white.
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