Babe Ruth

June 1, 2009
Gr 7 Up-This book offers readers a fascinating look at the life of the man who, at the age of seven, was taken by his father to a Roman Catholic institution for homeless and troubled boys for "incorrigible" behavior. The teachers and students at St. Mary's became his family, and Brother Matthias, the athletic director, instilled in him his love of baseball and became a lifelong mentor. In 1914, when Babe was 18, the owner of the Baltimore Orioles offered him a contract. So began his tumultuous career in baseball, which lasted more than 20 years, most of which were spent with the New York Yankees. Hampton's narrative gives baseball lovers plenty of detailed statistical facts, but as a whole, the biography is more a weaving together of the various elements of Babe's personality that made him the larger-than-life legend. His generosity, his inability to control his excessive appetites, his quick temper, and his fondness for practical jokes all come through in this recounting that is more accessible than Leigh Montville's "The Big Bam" (Doubleday, 2006). Carefully chosen photographs enhance the presentation, and the author is meticulous in listing his sources. His extensive research and engaging conversational tone combine to produce a chronicle of Ruth's life that both fans and novices will find hard to put down."Kim Dare, Fairfax County Public Schools, VA"

Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 1, 2009
Grades 6-9 Hampton announces early in this biography of Babe Ruth that his emphasis is on separating fact from legend, and he is not afraid to dig up some of the more tawdry aspects of the sluggers life. Unlike the approach in other books about Ruth, the focus here is on Ruths sad early life and his career as a pitcher with the Boston Red Sox. Throughout, an attempt is made to give some sense of the grace, power, and skill of Ruth on the field. Of course, nearly all biographies of Ruth for young people inevitably end up discussing Ruths outside appetites for food and drink, and this biography also mentions his many extramarital affairs and his illegitimate child, who was officially passed off as a sudden adoption. Most libraries already have a full lineup of Ruth biographies. This title, part of the UpClose series and illustrated with a nice selection of photos, has the advantage of telling the complete, unvarnished story in a snappy, concise style.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)