The author hits it out of the ballpark with this story. It’s a fantastic tale I adored. The author masterfully tells the story from two perspectives one through Bertha, a 16-year-old who dreams of playing baseball for the Sweet Peas, a woman’s team that is part of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.

Additionally, from Flossie's perspective, who is five years younger than Bertha. Flossie is her sister's opposite. She loves to read and finds baseball boring. She enjoys studying, has a sharp mind, and finds it difficult to stop asking questions. She simply needs to understand how things work. She loves to cook, and she's anxious to settle down and have a family.

I enjoyed reading about these two young ladies and their experiences of how growing up in the suburbs of Detroit in the 1950s was a crazy time. Especially when Bertha and Flossie’s father is accused of being a Communist. I enjoyed watching these sisters chase their dreams and search for a place to belong.

If you haven't read anything by this author before I highly recommend this one. It takes you on an unexpected journey that pulls at your heart strings and leaves you thinking. Finkbeiner’s stories stay with you long after you close the book. This would be excellent for your upcoming book club selection.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I requested and received a copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Nora St. Laurent
TBCN Where Book Fun Begins!
The Book Club Network blog https://psalm516.blogspot.com/

I wholeheartedly loved this book. The All American is about the challenges of living in America in the 1950s. The story follows two sisters growing up with big dreams for their future.

Berta wants more to life than growing up being a suburban housewife. She aspires to become a Sweet Pea, a local professional girls' baseball team. Her sister Flossie is the exact opposite of her. She loves to get lost in a book than to interact with other people. She is feisty and a quick thinker. When their father, a famous author, got accused of being a communist, they had to pack up their bags and leave for their Uncle’s house to find some normalcy. The family had to reexamine what was more important and if their dreams for the future could still happen.

The book was well-written, and the baseball aspect was fun! As a big baseball fan, I loved that Finkbeiner used the sport as a symbol to describe life. Unlike baseball, life is unpredictable and presents many challenges and sorrows. The story provided a good correlation between the two. Finkbeiner also made it easy to fall in love with Berta and Flossie. Both sisters were lovable and feisty in their ways. My only complaint is that Berta did not get her own epilogue/conclusion . That made me think that Flossie was the true protagonist in the story, even though Berta’s story shined through the pages more. This book left a big impression on me, and I highly recommend this book.

Thank you to NetGallery and Revell for giving me a copy of the book.

A character driven coming of age story of two sisters growing up in 1950's America chasing their dreams.

A beautifully written book that pulled me into the lives of sisters Bertha and Flossie Harding. Bertha has a gift for playing ball, while Flossie is a bookworm with an impulsive nature, and a strong sense of justice. I loved how immersive the book was, bringing the fifties to life for me through their unique and individualized viewpoints. There were many times when Flossie made me laugh out out with her matter of fact take on life and her friendship with Lizzie was one of my favorite parts of her story.

This author knows how to tell a thought provoking and engaging story with characters that feel as real as your best friend, and she continues her winning streak with this latest novel. This was the first book that I've read about the HUAC investigations, and I found it very intriguing and scary how neighbors turned on each other like that.

Overall, a wonderfully written and engaging novel sure to linger long in your memories. I thoroughly enjoyed this coming of age tale of love, growing up, baseball, books, faith and all the things in between!


I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I always enjoy a good Susie Fienkbeiner story and this one was no exception.
She never missed a beat between Flossie and Bertha.
I found these two sisters delightful and yes I giggled at some of their antics.
I loved the way they could look at each other and start giggling even when they're not supposed to.
I did learn some about baseball and found it interesting. I thought Bertha did well. It wasn't her fault but I'm so glad that she was determined to get what she wanted.
It always takes hard work and and a lot of practice.
Here's tow.of my favorite quotes from the book and to me they are lessons that are hard lessons. Lessons that we need to experience for ourselves in or to "get" better.
Get better and try again. Don’t give up.’” To me, if a person gives up that means that Satan has won.
“‘This isn’t the end of your career. Just a bend in the road.’”
I loved this sweet quote because I feel like it is such wonderful encouragement. To keep going. Don't give no matter what!
I admired the way folks helped each other out back then. A lot of kind and compassionate people were portrayed in this book offering this family hope and love.
I wish that people would still show that more often these days. There are still some out there but more often than not which is sad.
Shy Uncle Matthew my favorite character.
I ended up finishing this book in one evening it was so very good!
5 stars for a well written book. I can see why the author called The All American. The title fits perfectly!
I was NOT required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

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.