The All American by Susie Finkbeiner Reviewed

 

About the book:

Title: The All American

Author: Susie Finkbeiner

Genre: Christian Coming of Age, Young Adult, Historical, Baseball Theme

It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, plays ball with the neighborhood boys, and writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.

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My Thoughts

Oh, my goodness! This is a gem of a novel! I had barely started it before my hospital kerfuffle, I'm fine, I read this book in two days and am entirely book-drunk! 

Ms. Finkbeiner tells this story in alternating points of view...Flossie and Bertha. While this story is really Bertha's her little sister Flossie stole my heart. I wasn't much into playing sports I love to watch them. Flossie's love of reading hit me right in the heart. She's also a snarky spit-fire and I identified with her little personality.

I have to warn you that Susie Finkbeiner hits you with a plot twist just at the moment you think everything is going to be just peachy-keen. I think I stopped breathing for a few minutes. 

Putting baseball aside, what does a family do when they've been accused of the unthinkable? They pull together and do what a true family does. 

While this is a story about a young girl who desperately desires to play baseball on the AAGBL this is a story about family; and how a family pulls together during one of the most difficult times of their lives.

This will probably be my favorite book of the year. Run do not walk to your favorite bookstore and purchase a copy. 

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book via the publisher. I was not required to write a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

About Susie Finkbeiner:

Susie Finkbeiner is the CBA bestselling author of All Manner of Things, which was selected as a 2020 Michigan Notable Book, and Stories That Bind Us, as well as A Cup of Dust, A Trail of Crumbs, and A Song of Home.

She serves on the Fiction Readers Summit planning committee, volunteers her time at Ada Bible Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, and speaks at retreats and women’s events across the country. Susie and her husband have three children and live in West Michigan.

You can connect with her on the following social media platforms Facebook, Instagram, and BookBub.