Becoming Babe Ruth

Reviewed by: Paula Johnson - Long Island Community Library, Long Island, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: November 4, 2016

Review

George Herman Ruth knew from an early age how to get himself into the spotlight, even if it wasn't always a positive spotlight. As a young boy he skipped school, roamed the streets, and got into enough trouble that his parents shipped him off to a school for boys. BECOMING BABE RUTH, by Matt Tavares follows the Babe's path from troubled youngster to perhaps the most famous baseball player of all times. The book highlights how the young boy George discovered himself at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys through baseball, his mentor Brother Matthias, hard work, lots of practice and determination. A great introductory biography about the Babe, for baseball fans and those yet to become fans. Easy enough for beginning readers and full of enough information and inspiration for older readers as well. Wonderful illustrations bring the story to life and the author's note and Babe's baseball statistics round out the quality of the book.

Overall Book Score: excellent