The Streak: How Joe Dimaggio Became America's Hero

Gr 2–5—Placed within the historical context of the last perfect baseball summer before America's involvement in World War II, Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak of 1941 becomes even more impressive. Rosenstock also captures the drama surrounding the feat: how a player from humble beginnings with hands that were used to hard work now held a bat, how DiMaggio named his bat "Betsy Ann" and only used it for games, and how the bat was stolen on the very day he was to break the previously held record. An occasional phrase in bold red type adds to the superhero quality of the story, while the slightly blurred acrylic illustrations make the characters seem as if they were captured in motion, creating a nostalgic effect. Detailed source notes, a lengthy bibliography, and lots of stats round out the presentation.—Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

"It started quietly, like a conversation with Joe DiMaggio himself." With those words, Rosenstock transports readers to the summer of 1941, when war loomed and DiMaggio set a new MLB record with a 56-game hitting streak, uniting a nation: "This was the United States of Baseball, and Joe DiMaggio was its President." Rosen-stock builds delicious tension and emotion as the streak grows (she also devotes some space to DiMaggio's off-the-field upbringing), and Widener is equally in his element--one can almost feel DiMaggio's baggy Yankee pinstripes rustling as he dashes to first base after yet another hit. Substantial back matter includes stats, bibliography, and an in-depth author's note that covers DiMaggio's relationship with his beloved bat, "Betsy Ann," and offers further context about "the streak" and America's entry into WWII. A rousing and inspiring account of an athletic achievement that has yet to be bested. Ages 8-up. Author's agent: Rosemary Stimola, Stimola Literary Studio. (Mar.)

Copyright 2014 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Gr 2-5--Placed within the historical context of the last perfect baseball summer before America's involvement in World War II, Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak of 1941 becomes even more impressive. Rosenstock also captures the drama surrounding the feat: how a player from humble beginnings with hands that were used to hard work now held a bat, how DiMaggio named his bat "Betsy Ann" and only used it for games, and how the bat was stolen on the very day he was to break the previously held record. An occasional phrase in bold red type adds to the superhero quality of the story, while the slightly blurred acrylic illustrations make the characters seem as if they were captured in motion, creating a nostalgic effect. Detailed source notes, a lengthy bibliography, and lots of stats round out the presentation.--Joanna K. Fabicon, Los Angeles Public Library

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"With Terry Widener's lovely, fluid paintings, author Barb Rosenstock mixes history, biography and romantic nostalgia." - USA Today