Ruth, named for Babe Ruth is a super-star baseball player in her school. Her mom died when she was three and now lives with her two older brothers and their Dad. The main point of the story is Ruth's love of baseball taking her through an ocean of emotions and goals and criticism b/c shes a girl. The story also touches on her moms death, living with a single Dad, dealing with her moms death, bro-sis relations, best friend stuff, friendship, and even a bit on puberty and the awkwardness of boy-girl relations as you reach puberty. Its loaded potential as a class read b/c it loaded with opportunity to discuss these issues. Even a few moments to cry for her mom. I would read this book with 4+ grades. ( )

I was a little disappointed in this book, first of all at the notion that any red-blooded Maine family of baseball fanatics would be Yankees fans with no questions asked by the neighbors, but mainly with the writing. The conversations between this eleven-year-old girl and her best friend are simply not believable as coming from young girls. It's too bad, because in many ways this book is one I would want my students to read, but I'm afraid they would be totally unable to relate to it because the characters all talk like they're over 30. ( )