Some Kind of Pride

by Maria Testa

Book Overview

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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 038532782X
• ISBN13: 9780385327824
• Release Date: September 2001
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 117 Pages
• Weight: 0.57 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.9" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 9 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 4 to 7

Customer Reviews

SOME KIND OF PRIDE is for any kid bucking the system.

With the start of the WNBA and the consistent popularity of women's tennis and golf, it has become more realistic for women to imagine themselves as professional atheletes. But, what if ground hasn't been broken yet in your sport? Named for the Babe (a famous baseball player, not that I need to tell you that), Ruth DiMarco is probably the best short stop East Shore, Maine has ever seen. Her batting is impeccable, her field skills unsurpassed. She eats, drinks, and sleeps baseball, but during a game she unfortunately hears her father say something about it being a shame such talent was wasted on a girl. So, begins the inspiring new novel by Maria Testa, SOME KIND OF PRIDE. Hurt by her father's remarks, Ruth begins to doubt her future in baseball and her love for the game. But, Ruth has more advocates than she realizes including her biggest fan and best friend Ellie, a self-declared feminist, a Sports Illustrated writer named Ross sent to write about her amazing stats, and even her mother who died in a rescue attempt as the only female fire fighter in the area. Ruth gains strength from these forces and learns that her passion for baseball beats all odds and hushes all naysayers. SOME KIND OF PRIDE is for any kid bucking the system and puts a positive twist on the remark, "you throw like a girl!" (...)

Excellent Story for Mature Middle-Grade Readers

This is an excellent novel that mixes deep and sometimes painful emotion with an engaging, realistic story. 11-year old Sofia Ruth DiMarco, named after the Babe by her baseball-loving family, is a young baseball phenomom. Even Sports Illustrated sends out a writer for a major feature about her. But what her the emotionally suppressed father, and Ruthie herself discover is the pain, longing, and isolation hidden behind her dazzling on-field brilliance. Ruth is the only girl on her team and in her family, her pioneering firefighter mother having been killed several years before. Her future in baseball is doubtful because of her gender, and her family doesn't recognize her claims to grief and her desires to remember her mother. With the help of the sportswriter, her feminist friend Ellie, and, especially, her own courage in confronting her family, she discovers her true, multifaceted identity. The pride and confidence she feels on the field are, at the story's conclusion, extended to her feelings about herself. I recommend this to older kids because of the mature themes: Baseball is really just a subtext for this psychological portrayal of a young woman. Yet, it's both serious and fun at the same time. This winner of the Marguerite De Angeli Prize (for a first novel aimed at middle-grade readers) is a well-written story of some of the pains and joys of growing up. Recommended.

Recommended Reading

Maria Testa's SOME KIND OF PRIDE is one of those rare books that will make you laugh and cry and teach you something while you're at it. Male or female, child or adult, this is the type of novel everyone should read. The characters are real, the story is fun and the message is never overstated. I highly recommend this novel for teen and pre-teen girls and reluctant readers.

Great story, great baseball

This book breaks new ground in sports fiction for kids by offering both a compelling coming-of-age story and a real appreciation for one child's love of baseball. And to top it all off, it's about a girl! The author's expertise in her craft and in her sport shines through. This is a sometimes emotional, always enjoyable, and ultimately satisfying read.

Beautifully written, empowering story

I hugged this book when I finished it. It should be required reading for every girl about to enter adolescence. I agree with the first reviewer that you don't have to like baseball to love this book. Ruth DiMarco's story is about dreams and family and the power of best friends. But it's also about being yourself and being stubborn when that's the right thing to be. I loved it! All girls, and even grown women, need this kind of PRIDE.