Review Detail

Diamond Ruby by Joseph Wallace, a historical fiction baseball novel, was published by Touchstone in 2010. Diamond Ruby is a page-turner. It is full of suspense, and Wallace keeps you wondering what will happen in the main character’s life. The plot takes you into the world of 17 year-old Ruby Thomas, who is left in charge of her two young nieces when everyone else dies from influenza. She is looking for ways to support her family. She can throw a baseball 90 miles per hour and becomes a new “freak show” attraction at the recently opened Boardwalk at Coney Island. After her first boss dies, her new boss overworks Ruby. She escapes this fate when the Connell family takes her in, and she agrees to pitch for Colonel Fielding’s new baseball team, the Brooklyn Typhoons. The Ku Klux Klan is after Ruby (because she is half Jewish and half Catholic and they don’t think she is pure American), and it is unclear how she will escape them! The very impressive 1920’s New York City setting is rich with history. The city comes to life with real life athletes, such as baseball player Babe Ruth and professional boxer Jack Dempsey. The newly opened Coney Island provides a colorful setting for the Diamond Ruby “freak show.” The historical vibe is complete with many illegal things going on such as prohibition liquor sales, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in New York City, and the threat caused by gamblers and “fixers.” The suspense is incredible in Diamond Ruby. Wallace keeps you wondering if the dangerous fixers or the Ku Klux Klan will kill Ruby. It is hard to put the novel down when wondering if her new boss will overwork her and her arm will be damaged? Will she have enough money to feed her family and keep them safe? Will her nieces be harmed?