Queen of the Diamond

Queen of the Diamond follows the story of Lizzie Murphy, who played professional baseball in the early 1900s when women were not welcome in the sport. As a child in Rhode Island, she learned baseball from her brother and father, developing skills that would later make history. The biography traces Murphy's path from playing on amateur teams to becoming the first woman to play against major league players. In an era of limited opportunities for female athletes, Murphy carved out a twenty-year career as "The Queen of Baseball," earning the same pay as male players and drawing large crowds. This nonfiction account explores themes of determination, gender barriers, and the evolution of professional baseball in America. Through Murphy's experiences, the book reveals how individual persistence can help transform cultural expectations and open doors for future generations.

Readers found this children's biography engaging and informative about baseball player Alta Weiss, who pitched for men's semi-professional teams in the early 1900s. Readers appreciated: - Clear, straightforward storytelling suitable for elementary students - Historical photographs integrated with illustrations - Focus on a lesser-known female sports pioneer - Messages about determination and following dreams - Author's note providing additional historical context Common criticisms: - Brief length left some wanting more details - Limited information about Weiss's later life - Some found the illustration style basic Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (119 ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (15 ratings) Notable reader comments: "Perfect introduction for young readers to learn about women breaking barriers in sports" - Goodreads reviewer "Would have liked more about her medical career" - Amazon reviewer "The real photos add authenticity to the story" - School Library Journal review

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💎 Queen of the Diamond tells the true story of Lizzie Murphy, who in 1922 became the first woman to play against major league baseball players in an exhibition game. ⚾ Author Emily Arnold McCully has illustrated over 100 children's books and won the Caldecott Medal in 1993 for Mirette on the High Wire. 🏆 Lizzie Murphy earned the nickname "Money Player" because she could command higher pay than most male players of her time, earning up to $100 per game. 📅 Murphy played professional baseball for 17 years (1918-1935), appearing in over 2,000 games and building a career .300 batting average. 🌟 The book highlights how Murphy refused to play unless she was paid the same as male players—making her one of baseball's earliest advocates for equal pay in sports.