The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became America's Hero [Hardcover]

Perfect for every baseball fan, here is the story of New York Yankees baseball great Joe DiMaggio’s longest hitting streak in baseball history.

In the summer of 1941, Yankee center fielder Joe DiMaggio and his favorite bat, Betsy Ann, begin the longest hitting streak in baseball history. But when Betsy Ann goes missing, will DiMaggio keep hitting? Set on the brink of World War II, this is a spellbinding account of a sports story that united the country and made DiMaggio a hero, at a time when one was profoundly needed. Barb Rosenstock's action-packed text and Terry Widener's powerful illustrations capture DiMaggio's drive as well as his frustration. The book also includes headlines, quotes, stats, and a detailed bibliography.* Rosenstock transports readers to the summer of 1941, when war loomed and DiMaggio set a new MLB record with a 56-game hitting streak, uniting a nation. . . Rosenstock builds delicious tension and emotion as the streak grows. . . and Widener is equally in his element--one can almost feel DiMaggio's baggy Yankee pinstripes rustling as he dashes to first base after yet another hit. . . A rousing and inspiring account of an athletic achievement that has yet to be bested. --Publishers Weekly, starred review

Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak is considered one of the greatest feats in baseball and the one least likely to be replicated. . . Rosenstock's game descriptions capture the momentum and let readers see and feel the events as if they were at the games. . . Widener's expansive, double-page illustrations, rendered in acrylic on bristol paper, in earth tones of green and gold, are larger than life, elongating DiMaggio as he takes his stance, rounds the bases or grips his bat. . . DiMaggio's remarkable hitting streak is freshly presented for a new generation of fans. --Kirkus Reviews

Rosenstock cranks up the significance of DiMaggio's 56-game, as yet unbeaten hitting streak, in 1941. She does this throughlóå