Diamond Ruby [B2252]

2010 PB in nice clean condition. Seventeen-year-old Ruby Thomas, newly responsible for her two young nieces after a devastating tragedy, is determined to keep her family safe in the vast, swirling world of 1920s New York City. She's got street smarts, boundless determination, and one unusual skill: the ability to throw a ball as hard as the greatest pitchers in a baseball-mad city. From Coney Island sideshows to the brand-new Yankee Stadium, Diamond Ruby chronicles the extraordinary life and times of a girl who rises from utter poverty to the kind of renown only the Roaring Twenties can bestow. But her fame comes with a price, and Ruby must escape a deadly web of conspiracy and threats from Prohibition rumrunners, the Ku Klux Klan, and the gangster underworld.

Diamond Ruby "is the exciting tale of a forgotten piece of baseball's heritage, a girl who could throw with the best of them. A real page-turner, based closely on a true story" (Kevin Baker, author of Strivers Row).

From recent-ish Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Interesting story, lots of history of the 1920s in New York and baseball in particular. I found myself fact-checking different things and they were always true!"; "Based on a true story, this novel was entertaining and fast-paced. Enjoyed very much.; "I loved this book so much. What a fun, significant, thrilling read. Just what I needed to distract me from the relentless news."; "I really enjoyed this book. The characters were lovable and fleshed out beautifully. I found my heart aching at all of Ruby's misfortunes that just seem to keep going. I adored her wit and intelligence, which were showcased as she protected her family and friends while fighting for what she wanted out of life."