Becoming Joe DiMaggio

Written by Maria Testa · Illustrated by Scott Hunt

A boy learns life lessons from his grandfather amidst baseball dreams and immigrant challenges.

3.6 Goodreads · 125 ratings

64 pages· ~780L· AR 5 · 0.5 AR pts

$7.99Save 5%

In stock. Also at Amazon or Bookshop.

Bookroo's summary

In 1936, young Joseph Paul, named after a legendary ballplayer, grows up under the guidance of his Italian grandfather, Papa-Angelo. As the Yankees' new star captivates the nation, Joseph learns about hope, dreams, and the immigrant experience. With each gripping poem, discover the timeless bond between a grandson and his grandfather, and the journey of finding one's place in a new world. Will Joseph's dreams soar like the baseball heroes he admires?

From the publisher

“With ineffable tenderness and absolute clarity, Testa tells a tale in blank verse. . . . Powerfully moving as it braids together baseball, family, and the Italian-American experience.” – Booklist (starred review) 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. “Each poem is a perfect, gripping chapter,” says Kirkus Reviews in a starred review of this novel in verse, which honors the timeless bond between a grandson and his immigrant grandfather – and the process of finding one’s own place in a brave new world.

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