Roberto Alomar An Authorized Biography

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-Two sports titles based on personal interviews with the subjects, their families, management, and fellow players. Macht details the Puerto Rican athlete's childhood and career through 1998, including the infamous spitting incident, the media coverage, and unfavorable fan reaction that continues to haunt the player. The author emphasizes Alomar's strong self-discipline, work ethic, and close family ties. Although both books are informative, Muskat's title is slightly more readable and logical in its presentation. It includes a description of Sosa's rise from extreme poverty and emphasizes his strong family relationships and love for his homeland, the Dominican Republic. Career highlights and statistics bring the coverage up-to-date includ-ing a chapter on Sosa's amazing 1998 home-run season and how it fits into baseball history. Average-quality black-and-white photos appear in both books.-Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI Copyright 1999 Cahners Business Information.