Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story [Hardcover]

Dan Gutman (Adapter), Cal Ripken (Author), Mike Bryan (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Cal Ripken, Jr.'s autobiography The Only Way I Know was published in 1997 to rave reviews by critics and fans alike. Publishers Weekly called it "an unusually good sports autobiography that captures the candor and generous spirit of [the] man," while Booklist called it "superior....Excellent baseball fare." Now this number one best-seller has been adapted for children sure to score a hit with young readers. For readers aged 8-12, this adaptation by popular children's sports writer Dan Gutman traces Cal Ripken's life from his childhood in a baseball family to his rise through the minors to his career with the Baltimore Orioles, where he hasn't missed a game since 1982. Ripken's reflections on the fame that came when he broke Lou Gehrig's record of 2,130 consecutively played games will be of special interest to young readers, as will his thoughts on the ame—breaking a slump, the importance of knowing the basics, and more. Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story contains the complete 16-page photo insert from The Only Way I Know.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this adaptation of Ripken's autobiography, The Only Way I Know (1997), Ripken recounts events from his childhood, his years in the minors, and his career as a major league shortstop and third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles. Throughout, he comes across as a decent human being who appreciates the advantages he's had and wants to spend his life working hard every day at a job he enjoys--playing baseball. He also reveals a deep sense of family: working for his father, Cal Sr., playing on the Orioles with his brother Billy, and shielding his wife and children from the glare of publicity. Gutman's adaptation remains true to the content and style of the original and reads smoothly enough to make it of interest to general readers as well as rabid baseball fans. Illustrated with two sections of clear, mostly color photos (reprinted from the original book), this should appeal to a wide range of readers. Kay Weisman

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Dial; 1st edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0803723482
• ISBN-13: 978-0803723481
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,076,532 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Cal Ripken Jr. IS A STAR!, April 17, 2001

By 

musicfan (Earth) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story (Hardcover)

This is one of my favorite books! I love it! Especially because it's an autobiography. I love reading them. That's right folks! Cal Ripken Jr., and one of his friends wrote this book! I don't know why it isn't a best-selling book. Anyway, this book is very factual. I was just begining to become a Cal Ripken Jr. fan, and thought that this would be a great place to start! It covers his whole life up until 1999, which is when the book was published. Cal Ripken Jr.'s life had many ups and downs. I enjoyed reading this book very much! Thhis book is a must for any Baseball, Orioles, or Cal Ripken Jr. fan! I wish I could have given this book a million stars. After I read this book, I had just one thing to say. CAL RIPKEN JUNIOR IS A STAR!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars autobiography of Cal Ripken Jr., October 30, 2002

By 

Nick Tracy (Herndon, VA USA period 6) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story (Hardcover)

I believe that Cal Ripken Jr. was one of the greatest baseball players to ever play the game. I think that the novel, "Cal Ripken, Jr. My Story" by Cal Ripken Jr. and Mike Bryan, gives a great idea of the hardwork that Cal Ripken Jr. put in to become a Major League Baseball player. This novel was a great book and I would recommend it to anyone. I thought the book was great because the book gave a very realistic view of how hard it is to make to the Major league. Plus it showed how dedicated Cal was. He spent many years in the minors before he finally made it to the majors. Plus I also like how the book didn't concentrate on Cal's baseball career. They talked about his childhood and how their father, who was coach of the Orioles at one point, wasn't around most of the time. Overall the book gave a great biography of Cal Ripken Jr. and that is why I think the book is good.

0 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Im Glad This S.O.B. retired, November 14, 2005

By 

JiggaJ1979 "Nice" (Thomasville NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cal Ripken, Jr.: My Story (Hardcover)

What did he Do nothing, he played like a million consecutive games without being out.....SO they need to have books out on Barry Bonds but they make up excuses about he is on steroids and he's just the greatest at least to me, HEY YO ya boy Cal is Garbage, Im glad he stop playin because he wasnt doing anything that caught my eye but get old!!!!!!