Pride of Puerto Rico: The Life of Roberto Clemente (Paperback)

~ (Author) "Roberto closed his eyes and imagined himself in the great stadium of San Juan..." (more)
Key Phrases: winter league, batting title, sugar fields, Puerto Rico, Roberto Clemente, Don Melchor (more...)

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 the Hardcover edition.

Product Description

This is the story of the great right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Roberto Clemente. An outstanding athlete and a dedicated family man, whose love for his native land of Puerto Rico was unsurpassed. This book tells an inspiring story of this Baseball Hall of Famer. Great reading for young sports fans.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (February 21, 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0152634207
• ISBN-13: 978-0152634209
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 5.1 x 0.5 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.com Sales Rank: #508,466 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 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.

1 of 1 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

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

7 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very nice and easy to understand., May 1, 1999

By A Customer

It was so good that when I received it, I could not put it down till the end. That night I went to bed at 4:33AM. Mr.Robert Walker, 2 thumbs up to a well documented piece of art. Again THANK YOU for this biography.