This novel was definitely interesting! I was expecting to read about the All-American girls baseball League, but instead found myself following the story of two sisters in the 1950s. I don't want to give anything away about the story, but I will say it was not exactly what I was expecting. It was a great read, and definitely worth picking up!

However my library will not be purchasing a copy of this novel because it's likely to be more interesting to the public, than college students. Overall the novel is a worthy inclusion in any public library catalog.

The All-American
by Susie Finkbeiner
Publisher: Revell
Series: None
Rated: 5
Obtain: Buy or Borrow
Back of the Book: “Two sisters discover how much good there is in the world--even in the hardest of circumstances
It is 1952, and nearly all the girls 16-year-old Bertha Harding knows dream of getting married, keeping house, and raising children in the suburbs of Detroit, Michigan. Bertha dreams of baseball. She reads every story in the sports section, she plays ball with the neighborhood boys--she even writes letters to the pitcher for the Workington Sweet Peas, part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
When Bertha's father is accused of being part of the Communist Party by the House Un-American Activities Committee, life comes crashing down on them. Disgraced and shunned, the Hardings move to a small town to start over where the only one who knows them is shy Uncle Matthew. But dreams are hard to kill, and when Bertha gets a chance to try out for the Workington Sweet Peas, she packs her bags for an adventure she'll never forget.
Join award-winning author Susie Finkbeiner for a summer of chasing down your dreams and discovering the place you truly belong.”

Impressions: What a book! I really got pulled into the story of the Harding sisters and loved getting to know the Harding family through their ups and downs. This was written through the lenses of Louisa and Bertha, the Harding girls. The author did a wonderful job weaving words together to make this story feel genuine and alive. I wish there were more to read! I didn’t want this book to end. I look forward to reading more by this talented author!

Quotes: “‘The first thaw always tricked us into thinking we’d come to the end of winter. We never should have believed it.’”- From This Working-Day World by William S. Harding- I live in central Pennsylvania and this is the solid truth of my thoughts every winter to spring transition.

“‘If I ever hear you say it, you’ll be sorry.’ ‘What if I say it and you don’t hear me?’” – This reminds me so much of my youngest son.

“‘Get better and try again. Don’t give up.’” -I appreciated this wisdom.

“‘This isn’t the end of your career. Just a bend in the road.’”- Such an encouraging perspective.

I received an ARC of this book via the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review shared here. For more book reviews go to: https://thebluestockingbooknook.wordpress.com

16 year old Bertha dreams of playing ball with the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. When her writer father is accused of being a communist, her family begins to spiral out of control. Moving to a different town, the family lives with Uncle Matthew, a shy and reclusive relative.

The book alternates between Bertha's point of view and her younger sister Flossie's point of view. I did not enjoy Flossie's point of view. She was presented as a naïve child, which took away from Bertha's journey. I also wanted to read about the baseball team, instead the book focused on their family life. Overall, not a story for me.

I adored reading Susie Finkbeiner's The All-American. I thought it was a fabulous book from the historical fiction genre. I give it five stars.

The All-American by Susie FInkbeiner

This novel takes an in-depth look at an American family in the early 1950’s. The father, a well-known novelist, his English wife and their three children plus a daughter-in-law round out the main characters of the story.

The story was told through the eyes of the two sisters, Bertha, and Flossing. I found the characters endearing, especially Flossie. They were so well-written that I expected them to walk out of the pages of the book.

The book was more character-driven than plot-driven, but I enjoyed the characters so much that I had to keep reading. I found it interesting that this book dealt with the Communist concern of that era. From the title, I had expected more of a sports novel, and baseball was woven through it but was not too heavily emphasized for a non-sports lover like me.

I would love to read a sequel to this novel and discover the rest of the story for these lovable characters. Readers who enjoy Susie Finkbeiner’s fiction will find much to enjoy about this novel. I am grateful to the publisher and netgalley for the complimentary copy in return for this, my honest review.

Oh my goodness, if this gem isn't on your TBR pile (To be Read Pile) then you'll want to add it STAT.

What a delight. Although this is Bertha's story, I rapidly fell head over heels in love with Florance, her younger sister. Or Flossie, as I call her. Goodness, what a feisty and precious character.

This is a tender, wonderfully woven story that will stay in your heart for a long time, as will those characters. Not all HEA's (happily ever afters) look the same.

Finkbeiner brings to life the social climate of the times and nails it.

I could go on gushing about this book, but I'll let you discover this absolute treasure for yourself! Go on, go get your copy!

I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley and my opinion is my own.

The All American pass time, baseball, and Susie Finkbeiner, has gifted us with a page turner, and you won't be able to put this one down!

We meet the Harding family, Bertha, Flossie and Chipper, siblings living in the Detroit Michigan suburbs during the early 1950's. This is a period of rebirth after the war, but it is also the time of McCarthyism!

This story is told by the sisters, one in love with and good at baseball, the other loves books and is always reading! Their teenage years, and how accusations changed everything!

I loved that we learn more about women's baseball as Bertha joins the Sweet Peas!

When the last page was turned I wanted to continue in the lives of the Hardings!

I received this book through Net Galley and the Publisher Revel, and was not required to give a positive review.

I really like the way this author writes. I thought this would be all about the American Girls Baseball League, and while it did have a bit of that, I didn't feel it was the main subject. To me it was more about small town culture growing up in America through the fifties. A lot was changing, as well as expectations for girls who wanted more than to be good wives and mothers. Told through alternating perspectives of Bertha and her sister Flossie, it was well executed. I liked the father and the dynamics between him and the mom and girls. I especially liked Flossie, the little sister; her stubbornness, her insatiable curiosity, how she handled being bullied, and of course her love of reading! Thanks to Netgalley for the chance to read the ARC. Definitely recommend!

From the first line, this book captured my interest as I followed along with the lives of Bertha and Flossie. I found their dad to be such an endearing character as well as their brother Chip who loves his family so much. I particularly enjoyed that each section started with an excerpt from their dad's book. This is an author that I absolutely enjoy so much and this book did not disappoint.



Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own.

This may be one of my favorite books I’ve read this year so far. The characters were fantastic along with the dialogue. You won’t want to miss this fantastic read.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Unfortunately I was unable to finish it because twice when I opened it in my kindle it started back at the beginning. I want willing to scroll to 89% to finish it. I loved how each character was so different, but equally as important to the story.

The All-American by Susie Finkbeiner is an excellent historical fiction that takes us back to the 1950s in America…excellent.

Such a pivotal time, the ‘50s. Post WWII, society and culture are balancing between change and the future and holding onto the past. As things are marching on, fears and biases are also present with concerns over Communism and its potential influences and infiltrations.

Bertha and Flossie Harding are sisters and great main characters. Through them we can experience the fears associated with Communism within America in the 1950s as well as the amazing baseball scene.

Experiencing the personal aspects and “locker room” views of both of these themes within a narrative incorporating faith, family, and history makes for a unique, addictive, and engaging story.

This is the first book by this author I have read, and it wont be my last.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Revell for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 7/11/23.

This was a wonderful Christian book. The title all American fit this book right. It had baseball content and faith content. The characters and storyline were wonderful. It kept you guessing the whole time what would happen. This book was approved by netgalley and the publisher for me to read and review.

4.5 ⭐️ The All-American follows sisters Bertha and Flossie through some of the challenges and changes of their adolescence. It’s a story about family, baseball, unexpected joys and sorrows, and so much more.

Having grown up outside of Detroit as a huge Tigers fan, I loved that connection! The baseball parts of the book were so fun. Bertha and Flossie’s voices were each so distinct as their personalities, interests, and feelings shone through in the writing. Overall, the writing was exceptional.

While tagged as a Christian book, the faith themes are very light.

I only wish Bertha had a section in the epilogue too. The ending left me wanting just a little bit more that wasn’t provided.

Finkbeiner has a gift for story telling and this book is no exception. The book tells the story of two sisters growing up in post-war America, and covers both baseball and the "Red Scare" McCarthy era. My one quibble is that the post script only tells the further story of one of the sisters. Let's hope for a sequel.

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!