Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente [Paperback]

Paul Robert Walker (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 21, 1991 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

The great right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Roberto Clemente was proud of his family, his native Puerto Rico, and his ability to play baseball. “Baseball fans will welcome this book because of the fast-paced action, but the temper of the man and his concern for human beings will leave a lasting impression on the younger reader.”--The Horn Book

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8 Clemente, an outstanding baseball player and a complicated man, makes a fascinating subject for a biography. The early chapters of this book, which tell of Clemente's childhood in Puerto Rico, are marred by an excess of fictionalized dialogue and oversimplification. The book improves, however, as it describes Clemente's years in the major leagues. His struggles with injuries and the prejudices of his managers and the press are told in detail. Clemente emerges, at the end of the book, from his status as baseball's most underrated ballplayer to recognition as one of the game's all-time greats. Clemente's compassion is not overlooked. He did much to help young people in his native Puerto Rico, and was on his way to assist earthquake victims in Nicaragua when he died in a plane crash in 1972. Unfortunately, the biography has no illustrations, and the drawing on the jacket looks nothing like Clemente. A helpful chart of Clemente's career statistics is included, along with a less helpful bibliography. The lack of an index is a weakness. On the whole, this is an enjoyable and informative biography of Clemente, although the description of his career as a player is better than the description of his childhood. Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

About the Author

Paul Robert Walker was born in Oak Park, Illinois —just like Ernest Hemingway, only later. He studied acting at Boston University School of Fine Arts and graduated magna cum laude & Phi Beta Kappa in Anglo-American literature from Occidental College.

A former high school English teacher, journalist, and rock musician, Walker has been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the Children’s Book Council, the American Folklore Society, the Daughters of the Republic of Texas, School Library Journal, and Storytelling World.

Mr. Walker is a member of the Authors Guild and American Mensa. He lives with his wife and two children in Escondido, California.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (February 21, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152634207
• ISBN-13: 978-0152634209
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #735,444 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #15 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Biographies & Memoirs > Ethnic & National > Hispanic & Latino

More About the Author

Paul Robert Walker has written more than twenty-five books on subjects ranging from the American West and the Italian Renaissance to folklore, baseball, and miracles. His newest adult publication is The Feud That Sparked the Renaissance, the story of four great artists who forged a new art in Quattrocento Florence (William Morrow 2002; pbk 2003). Kirkus Review called the book, "A convincing account of one of the defining moments in art and history," while Library Journal judged that "using an estimable cache of documentary materials...Walker makes a fine circumstantial case for an artistic feud." Alan Prince, former travel editor of the Miami Herald, wrote enthusiastically in BookPage, "His newest work is sure to bring such sheer pleasure to people interested in history, architecture and art that many of them will regard the book itself as a work of art."

Other recent adult titles include The Southwest, which explores 11,000 years of human history amid the rugged landscapes of the American Southwest, Trail of the Wild West, a reexamination of the American frontier, and "Rivers to the Pacific," a photo-illustrated essay for Exploring the Great Rivers of North America (National Geographic 2001, 1997, & 1999).

Walker's newest books for young adult readers are three volumes in the award-winning National Geographic "Remember" series, which documents key events in American history through eyewitness accounts and archival images. Walker's contributions to the series include Remember Little Rock (2009), Remember the Alamo (2007), and Remember Little Bighorn (2006). Remember Little Rock and Remember Little Bighorn both received coveted starred reviews in School Library Journal, while Remember the Alamo received the 2007 June Franklin Naylor Award from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for the best book for children and young adults on Texas history. Walker's middle-grade and young adult books also have been honored by the American Library Association, the National Council for the Social Studies, the Children's Book Council, the American Folklore Society, and Storytelling World.

Born in Oak Park, Illinois, Walker studied acting at Boston University School of Fine Arts and graduated magna cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa in Anglo-American literature from Occidental College. He is a member of the Authors Guild, American Mensa, and the NAACP. A former teacher, journalist, and rock musician, Walker lives in Escondido, California.

Contact:
e-mail: [e-mail]
website: www.prwbooks.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Book of Pride, July 11, 2006

By 

W. Powell - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente (Hardcover)

I enjoyed this book so much. Coincidently I finished it just before seeing a ceremony in honor of Roberto Clemente with his widow Vera present at the 2006 MLB All-Star game. From reading this book I understand why the word "Pride" is always used when discussing Roberto Clemente. This book carres the theme of Roberto's pride from beginning to end. Pride not only in himself but in his family and country. Many may say this is not a book about baseball, but those who know the magic of baseball understand that you can't seperate the game from the players. It is the great person in the player that makes the game of baseball so wonderful. Roberto was a great baseball player and an even greater man. Puerto Rico should feel honored in having him as one of their native sons.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente, November 6, 2008

By 

PATH12 "Cynthia" (Boston, MA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading about Roberto Clemente's life. The book was very inspiring and I learned a lot more about Roberto Clemente reading this book made me feel much more pride in being Hispanic. It goes to show that everyone and anyone can accomplish what they want in life if you are committed to it. I like many others really admire Clemente because he didn't let the racist comments get to him or his lack of speaking English get between what was his most important goal in his life . . . his baseball career. I think that he showed that he was very committed to his baseball because he will play while being hurt or not, he wouldn't give up baseball for anything. In my opinion he deserved all of his awards and trophies, the respect he receives from many people and all of the young kids who look at his accomplishments and wish to be like him. If you ask me he is truly the pride of Puerto Rico.

-Charlene

2 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pride of Puerto Rico, March 2, 2006

By 

Art Vandelay (Arkansas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente (Paperback)

My 12-yr old son read this book for a report.

He didn't complain too much and finished pretty quickly so I guess he liked it.