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Becoming Joe DiMaggio
It's 1936, and the Yankees have just hired a star center fielder whose name sounds like music. What could be a better time for Papa-Angelo's grandson to be born? Christened after the legendary ballplayer, young Joseph Paul learns much at his Italian grandfather's knee -- about holding your breath in front of the radio during a 3-2 count with the bases loaded and having the audacity to dream big dreams.
64 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
About the author
Maria Testa
14 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
November 11, 2020
3.5 Stars
A simple verse novel about family and keeping dreams alive. It gently touches on some serious themes such as racism, having a parent in prison, and war. I think this was lovely.
A simple verse novel about family and keeping dreams alive. It gently touches on some serious themes such as racism, having a parent in prison, and war. I think this was lovely.
April 13, 2019
Used for assignment 8
This book is from the perspective of a young boy, Joseph, named after a new star on the baseball scene and his grandfather's favorite player, Joe DiMaggio. The author uses a collection of poems to tell many stories about Joseph's relationship with his grandfather and how they bond over listening to baseball on the radio, as well as telling of other highs and lows of Joseph's life as he grows up.
This book is a good book for more advanced readers within the poetry theme because it is a longer book and provides more of a story line to it that can be challenging to follow at some parts of the book. I would also use this book to give to girls who are interested in sports, but may feel embarrassed because when I was little I loved sports, especially baseball but everyone told me it was for boys. So, if I can introduce female students to this sports themed book written by a female, it may help boost their confidence.
This book is from the perspective of a young boy, Joseph, named after a new star on the baseball scene and his grandfather's favorite player, Joe DiMaggio. The author uses a collection of poems to tell many stories about Joseph's relationship with his grandfather and how they bond over listening to baseball on the radio, as well as telling of other highs and lows of Joseph's life as he grows up.
This book is a good book for more advanced readers within the poetry theme because it is a longer book and provides more of a story line to it that can be challenging to follow at some parts of the book. I would also use this book to give to girls who are interested in sports, but may feel embarrassed because when I was little I loved sports, especially baseball but everyone told me it was for boys. So, if I can introduce female students to this sports themed book written by a female, it may help boost their confidence.
Read
April 4, 2020Joseph Paul, an Italian boy living in New York City, has an abusive and criminal father locked up in prison. Fortunately, Joseph also has a loving caregiver and grandfather, Papa-Angelo. Together Joseph and Papa-Angelo listen to baseball games on the radio. The son of poor Italian immigrants, Joe DiMaggio, is a guiding baseball star for both Joseph and Papa-Angelo. Joseph Paul wants to be Joe DiMaggio, but eventually finds his own path and becomes a star in his own unique way. This story of Joseph’s growing up in the 1940’s and 1950’s is told in just over 20 poems.
December 15, 2016
This is a very well written short poem book. Instead of it being all kinds of poems about Joe Dimaggio this book tells a story which makes it very unique. It is very enjoyable to read poems in story form because there is a plot but the words flow at the same time. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking to read a short poem book.
September 9, 2020
A short, sweet story in poetry form.
It focuses on Joe and his grandpa during the Great Depression and WWII.
But it also touches on racism (against Italians), an absent and abusive father, and the American dream.
The author loosely based this novel on her family's stories of the time.
The poems are sparsely but beautifully written.
It focuses on Joe and his grandpa during the Great Depression and WWII.
But it also touches on racism (against Italians), an absent and abusive father, and the American dream.
The author loosely based this novel on her family's stories of the time.
The poems are sparsely but beautifully written.
June 7, 2019
This memoir in verse was a quick but beautiful read celebrating family and how sometimes we learn to succeed in spite of them.
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October 17, 2014Isaiah Anthony
10/6/14
Becoming Joe DiMaggio
I am reading a book called Becoming Joe DiMaggio. This story is about a kid who loves to listen to baseball on the radio with his grandfather. The two main characters are named Joseph Paul which is the kid and Papa Angelo who is the grandfather. The plot of this story is Joseph's childhood centered around his experiences with the Yankees, but particularly Joe DiMaggio.
Is this book the author did a great job because he explains how Joseph Paul's childhood related to the Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio. "Papa Angelo had a new grandson, and the Yankees had a new center-fielder." This book has not moved me only because at the end it doesn't say if Joseph has had success in his dream of becoming a doctor also cause he was really smart."I won't be going to seventh grade next year, I said, looking for a reaction and getting one. Papa Angelo shot out of his chair fast, fast for and old man, fast for him. And just where will you be going instead?. I could not bear the sorrow in his eyes, could not bear how the joke fell flat. To high school I said, my voice small, a whisper." While reading this book I learned that if you have a big dream always chase it because maybe someday it could happen. Like Joseph Paul's dreams was he wanted to be a doctor, he never said it aloud around his grandfather because he always told Papa Angelo that he always dreamt about becoming Joe DiMaggio. "Is still a wonderful this to dream of being Joe DiMaggio, someone else still is I said, and then I said out loud what I have never said out loud before : I want to be a doctor someday." Although this book hasn't moved me I think my audience should read this book because it's still a great book to read because it is connecting Joseph Paul life to Joe DiMaggio experiences with the Yankees.
Out of a 1-5 rating I would rate this book a 4 because I like how the book could connect one characters life to Joe DiMaggio experiences with the Yankees. Also how when Joseph was born that same day Joe DiMaggio was the new center fielder for the Yankees also that his grandfather built him and chair and try to teach him how to sit still which never worked for the grandfather.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to people who like to read about baseball or poems, because this would be a good book for them or also to the people who just love to read. I enjoyed reading this book and others should to.
10/6/14
Becoming Joe DiMaggio
I am reading a book called Becoming Joe DiMaggio. This story is about a kid who loves to listen to baseball on the radio with his grandfather. The two main characters are named Joseph Paul which is the kid and Papa Angelo who is the grandfather. The plot of this story is Joseph's childhood centered around his experiences with the Yankees, but particularly Joe DiMaggio.
Is this book the author did a great job because he explains how Joseph Paul's childhood related to the Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio. "Papa Angelo had a new grandson, and the Yankees had a new center-fielder." This book has not moved me only because at the end it doesn't say if Joseph has had success in his dream of becoming a doctor also cause he was really smart."I won't be going to seventh grade next year, I said, looking for a reaction and getting one. Papa Angelo shot out of his chair fast, fast for and old man, fast for him. And just where will you be going instead?. I could not bear the sorrow in his eyes, could not bear how the joke fell flat. To high school I said, my voice small, a whisper." While reading this book I learned that if you have a big dream always chase it because maybe someday it could happen. Like Joseph Paul's dreams was he wanted to be a doctor, he never said it aloud around his grandfather because he always told Papa Angelo that he always dreamt about becoming Joe DiMaggio. "Is still a wonderful this to dream of being Joe DiMaggio, someone else still is I said, and then I said out loud what I have never said out loud before : I want to be a doctor someday." Although this book hasn't moved me I think my audience should read this book because it's still a great book to read because it is connecting Joseph Paul life to Joe DiMaggio experiences with the Yankees.
Out of a 1-5 rating I would rate this book a 4 because I like how the book could connect one characters life to Joe DiMaggio experiences with the Yankees. Also how when Joseph was born that same day Joe DiMaggio was the new center fielder for the Yankees also that his grandfather built him and chair and try to teach him how to sit still which never worked for the grandfather.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to people who like to read about baseball or poems, because this would be a good book for them or also to the people who just love to read. I enjoyed reading this book and others should to.
November 3, 2013
Papa-Angelo makes a little chair for Joseph to listen to the baseball games together. Life has not been easy for Papa-Angelo or for his grandson, Joseph Paul. Joseph’s father was taken away by the police. Mama cried and Joseph wondered who he was going to play catch with. Papa-Angelo also gave Joseph a bat and ball, which he was very proud of. Joseph and Papa-Angelo love listening to the Yankee’s games. Their favorite player is Joe DiMaggio. War breaks out and Joseph’s father is released from prison. Joseph is a smart kid and skips 7th grade and goes to straight to high school. At sixteen Joseph goes to college and despite having a convicted felon for a father becomes a doctor. Becoming Joe DiMaggio is a amazing true story told in free verse. This book could be used in 5th grade elementary or higher classroom teaching Poetry.
February 22, 2012
POETRY
This book, written in free verse looks at an Italian immigrants family. The young boy and his grandpa love listening to the Yankees on the radio. Especially when Joe Dimaggio, also an Italian immigrant, joins the team. They love listening to him and he is a representation of the possibilities that exist. The book isn't without it's troubles though as world war II hits, and Joe has to go to war. The boys dad also has run ins with the law, and is essentially non existent in his life. At the end, the boy decides he is going to be a doctor and they miss the Yankees game on the radio for the first time as the grandfather drops off the boy at college, on his way to making their family dreams come true as well. Very well written and engaging.
This book, written in free verse looks at an Italian immigrants family. The young boy and his grandpa love listening to the Yankees on the radio. Especially when Joe Dimaggio, also an Italian immigrant, joins the team. They love listening to him and he is a representation of the possibilities that exist. The book isn't without it's troubles though as world war II hits, and Joe has to go to war. The boys dad also has run ins with the law, and is essentially non existent in his life. At the end, the boy decides he is going to be a doctor and they miss the Yankees game on the radio for the first time as the grandfather drops off the boy at college, on his way to making their family dreams come true as well. Very well written and engaging.
Read
April 20, 2016I asked my Methods students to read a few Novels in Verse, so, I read a few myself... I had seen this one mentioned, and the library had it, so I grabbed it. Short, sweet, gentle, set in the past; I really liked it. I learned a few things, about Joe Dimaggio - who I really just know from the Simon and Garfunkel song (where did you go, Joe Dimaggio, our nation turns its lonely eyes to you...). Learned a bit about the book, Gray's Anatomy, which is most significant since we are watching the TV series of the 'same' name, at the moment.
Didn't learn anything, really, about baseball, but, I think it's nice to have a few baseball books in your back pocket.
I'm super behind on updating this, so its been a while since I read it. Hard to remember much more...
Didn't learn anything, really, about baseball, but, I think it's nice to have a few baseball books in your back pocket.
I'm super behind on updating this, so its been a while since I read it. Hard to remember much more...
January 8, 2016
Becoming Joe DiMaggio is about a little boy who watches baseball with his grandfather. All of his life he has wanting to be this famous baseball player ever since he was little. At the end after something had had happened to Joe, the little boy realized that he wanted to be a doctor in the footsteps of his role model, his grandfather. I liked this book because I like sports and sports book unlike some people might not. I thought it was kind of confusing and vague at times but otherwise, I liked it
September 17, 2013
This book is short but you cannot believe how it will move you. A young boy growing up in the 1940's and 1950's sees his life unfolding while Joe DiMaggio's career ascends. While his respect for DiMaggio grows, his respect for his own father shrinks. I like the book for boys because the poetry is short and easily decoded. The sports metaphor is an interesting hook for teen boys, too. Plus, the book is based on a true story. What a great one!
April 25, 2008
A quick read that is organized with many short poems that are linked together to create a wonderful story. I love the relationship of the grandpa and his grandson. Great book about culture and family. One ethnic word would need to be read prior to see how to handle it in a classroom. It was the only fault that I had with it-and it me because my husband is Italian.
May 18, 2017
Poems about how an Italian-American grandfather helps his grandson get through his father's being in jail. Takes place around 1940.
February 11, 2008
this is so gorgeous in the purity of its emotions and its baseball and family tropes. For an Italian-American especially, it will be as warmly familiar as the kitchen of nonna's.
May 20, 2020
Great historical sketch of life in the '30s and '40s. Baseball and story and family. What more could you ask for?
September 12, 2013
a sweet verse novel, it's meant to be biographical since it is told from the perspective of maria's father and his life growing up with his grandfather. i enjoyed it quite a bit.
November 18, 2014
It is a good book with a sports hook for middle school boys.
April 3, 2015
Another excellent novel in verse.
February 11, 2016
Not much action
February 29, 2016
Short and sweet, using the time of DiMaggio's career and the pieces of history it intersects to show the story of a family.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews