Growing up Pedro

by Matt Tavares

Paper Book, 2015

Status

Available

Call number

796.357/092B

Series

Candlewick Biographies

Publication

Somerville, Mass. : Candlewick Press, 2015.

Description

Before Pedro Martínez pitched the Red Sox to a World Series championship, before he was named to the All-Star team eight times, before he won the Cy Young Award three times, he was a kid from a place called Manoguayabo in the Dominican Republic. Pedro loved baseball more than anything, and his older brother Ramón was the best pitcher he'd ever seen. He dreamed of the day he and his brother could play together in the major leagues. This is the story of how that dream came true.--

User reviews

LibraryThing member pataustin

When Pedro Martinez was growing up in poverty in the Dominican Republic, he always looked up to his big brother Ramon and wanted to be just like him. Pedro wasn’t happy when Ramon told him hard ball was too dangerous for him to play, but he knew his brother was looking out for him. The brothers

dreamed of playing baseball for the major leagues in the U. S. and becoming millionaires. In time Ramon would become a star on the Dodgers, and Pedro was right behind seven years later. With ups and downs of Pedro’s being traded to a different team, having to play against one another, and Ramon’s battling an injury, the brothers never lost their close bond, and they used their millions to provide for their family back home. As shared in an author’s note, the Martinez brothers gave back to their community, donating time and money to better people’s lives, especially children. Beautifully rendered realistic paintings in watercolor, gouache, and pencil capture the lush countryside of the Dominican Republic as well as sad moments of leaving home and tense moments on the ball field. Tavares scores a homer with this engaging picture book biography.

Show Less

3 more

LibraryThing member madelire

This book recounts the life and career of Pedro Martinez, World Series winning pitcher for the Boston Red Sox. Starting from his childhood in the Dominican Republic, the book chronicles Pedro and his brother Ramon's lives growing up to be top notch baseball players, with Ramon heading to the US

first and then Pedro following. Through trades, injuries, and losses, the brothers remain true to each other and Pedro remains true to himself. He also brings his good fortune back to the Dominican Republic.

This book tells a story of hard work and perseverance, the importance of family and brotherhood, good humor, and valuing where one comes from.

Show Less

LibraryThing member jmjobes

This is not a book I would normally pick up but I ordered it because it received the Orbis Pictus Honor in 2016 and because so many kids love sports, especially baseball, including my own two boys who both love to pitch. This is an excellent biography about Pedro Martinez and his brother Ramon

Martinez and how they made it from the Dominican Republic to the major leagues. Pedro Martinez is considered one of the best all time pitchers. It is a story about the bond brothers can have and about working hard to attain ones goals. Pedro & Ramon, although playing in the major leagues, stayed rooted to their hometown in the Dominican Republic and have donated their time and money to improve the lives of the people there, especially the children. This book is written and illustrated by Matt Tavares.

Amazon recommends this book for children ages 8-12 years old. It is about 40 pages long.

Show Less

LibraryThing member jessiechan

Biography about Pedro Martinez, who pitched the Red Sox to a World Series Championship. This biography explores what he did before and growing up in Manoguayabo in the Domincan Republic with his brothers.

Fewer