After listening to a podcast featuring author Susie Finkbeiner, I was excited to read one of her books. I was so happy to be approved for The All-American, and it did not disappoint. This story takes place in the early 1950's in Michigan. It is mainly about two sisters, Bertha and Flossie Harding. At the beginning of the story, they are living in Detroit, Michigan. When their father is accused of being a Communist during the Red Scare, they are forced to move in with Uncle Matthew. Bertha loves baseball and she is afraid she will have to give up her dream of playing for one of the Women's Baseball teams that were popular in Michigan. Much to her surprise, she is invited to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas baseball team. I really liked this story. It was interesting to read the point of view of both sisters, and how their lives were affected by what was going on around them. I liked the setting, and the time in history that the author chose to write about. It was also interesting to learn about women's baseball. It was easy to picture the women sharing locker room talk and playing ball. I plan to read other books that this author has written. This is a good story!
Thank you to Revell Publishing for the chance to read and review this book.

I had to look through my archives to see if I'd read anything by Susie Finkbeiner and I had read one other book she wrote. I also found out that I absolutely loved her writing. Again I am amazed by the way she puts a story together and engrosses the reader from the very first paragraph.

The All American is a post war, McCarthy era story that takes the reader through the Red Scare of the early 1950s. It also encompasses the women's professional baseball league and the teams that played throughout Michigan. Susie also takes the reader on a journey of how people were treated who were falsely accused of being in the Communist Party. This was an eye opening book to say the least.

The narrators of the story are two sisters, about four to five years apart in age. Their individual perspectives bring an element of innocence and wariness both to the tale. Much of the plot moves by how the girls are affected individually by the false accusations a neighbor levels against her father.

There are some side characters who lend depth and color to the book and make it all the more endearing. This is a five star book with two thumbs up and a place on the women's baseball (NOT a sissy softball) team. Susie Finkbeiner writes novels that make her readers think and ponder. It's a great thing!

The copy I read was supplied by Revell Publishing. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

I’m not really one for historical novels, but this cover was so beautiful and looked to good to pass up! I love novels especially about sisters . I also love how Bertha has different dreams than what women are expected to have in the 1950s. I’m beyond excited to read and acquire this one and see if Bertha is able to achieve her dreams of playing baseball. I know readers will too!