Diamond Ruby

JOSEPH WALLACE is the author of The Autobiography of Baseball, The Baseball Anthology, and World Series: An Opinionated Chronicle, as well as A Gathering of Wonders: Behind the Scenes at the American Museum of Natural History. He lives with his family in New York City.

''Lively and entertaining. . . . includes all sorts of colorful characters and fascinating social history. . . the story of an unassuming, courageous young woman who uses the national pastime to become a pioneering heroine in a man's world.'' -- Washington Post

''Based on the true story of a lady pitcher who struck out Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig in exhibition play, this debut novel from nonfiction author Wallace. . . is a diverting sports tale. . . Sharply sketched, convincing historical characters like Ruth and Dempsey add to the considerable appeal of Wallace's gritty but fun period baseball tale.'' --Publishers Weekly

''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

''Ruby is a keeper. . . there are echoes of Betty Smith's A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, but this story holds its own, allowing Diamond Ruby her place as a literary gem.'' -- Library Journal (starred review)

''Diamond Ruby is a very special book. The comparisons to A Tree Grows in Brooklyn are not made lightly: Joseph Wallace deserves that accolade and many more. Ruby is a wonderful, memorable character and Wallace's prose is a perfect match for her.'' --Laura Lippman, New York Times bestselling author of Life Sentences and What the Dead Know

''Diamond Ruby is a gem! From the first page I found myself caring deeply about Wallace's idiosyncratic characters, rooting for them as they made their way through a world so skillfully portrayed that though it was new to me I felt right at home. Moving, fascinating, and ultimately exhilarating. I loved it!'' -- SJ Rozan, Edgar-winning author of The Shanghai Moon

''Babe Ruth and Jack Dempsey may loom among the many appealing, larger-than-life characters who show up in this wonderfully fun novel of baseball and 1920's Brooklyn, but readers will be especially dazzled and charmed by Diamond Ruby herself. It really IS A Tree Grows in Brooklyn meets Ragtime! Joseph Wallace has walloped a homer right out of the park!'' --Katharine Weber, author of True Confections and Triangle