Age: 1st - 3rd grade
Award: Monarch nominee 2013

An exciting read about Clemente's fantastic life and his unfortunate death. Wrapped in a fictionalized life of a big-time fan, Roberto Clemente's childhood in Puerto Rico and his time on the Padres reveal his determination, resilience, humble nature, and strength. The story starts out with the narrator's father praising Clemente like any big fan would do. The following passage really captures the admiration fans hold for their favorite players:

Clemente hit curve balls before they dropped.
Hit fast balls that made a catcher's mitt pop!
Had a glove like a spider's web dipped in gold.