Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate (JPS Young Biography Series) - Softcover

Grey, Vivian

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0827606206 ISBN 13: 9780827606203

Publisher: JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY, 1996

Synopsis

Ages 9 and up.

In the race against Nazi Germany to develop the atomic bomb, who would have suspected that a major league baseball player would take a pivotal role? That very man was Moe Berg—masterful catcher, fluent in nine languages, an Ivy League scholar, an attorney, and a secret agent. Moe Berg’s exciting life of mystery and intrigue is sure to captivate young readers as they follow his exploits. Using baseball as a cover, this player made significant intelligence contributions to the United States.

About this title

From the Author:

(Interview with Vivian Grey)
As the World Series approaches, Vivian Grey, an award-winning children's book author, shared some of her thoughts on baseball player and spy Moe Berg, the subject of her JPS Junior Biography, Moe Berg: The Spy Behind Home Plate.

WHO WAS MOE BERG?

A Major League Baseball player, an Ivy League graduate, an attorney who spoke nine languages-- and a top secret spy who helped the U.S. win the race against Germany to build the atomic bomb.

HOW DID YOU DISCOVER HIM?

I love to do research and I love to write about people who don't fit the mold, people who change the world for the better. Moe was one of the most unusual men to ever play baseball, and his life was filled with suspense and intrigue. Yet when he died in 1972, he was almost forgotten, except for a few baseball fans. As soon as I came across his story, I knew it would make a great book for kids.

WHAT ABOUT MOE'S STORY HOOKED YOU?

His courage, of course. It took a special kind of man to attend Princeton in those years and to play baseball. The world was different then. It was rare to find Jews in sports or in an Ivy League school. But Moe believed in himself, and he loved playing ball. He pursued his dream. It also took courage for him to serve his country as a spy. His assignments behind enemy lines were dangerous. And it was with his help that the U.S. learned that Germans hadn't developed an atomic bomb.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE YOUNG READERS WILL LEARN FROM HIS STORY?

That you can dare to dream, and, often, if you work hard enough, you can make your dream come true. It sounds like a cliche. But it's the story of Moe's life. He was the son of immigrants, yet he dreamed of becoming a Major League Baseball player. And he did!

ANY PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?

I plan to continue writing for young readers. As soon as the right idea pops up, I'll develop it into a book that I hope will prove as exciting as Moe's story.

From the Back Cover:

Moe Berg, one of the few Jews to play in the major leagues, was a top-secret spy during World War II. With his help, the United States won the race against Germany to build the dreaded atomic bomb.

About this edition

• Publisher: JEWISH PUBLICATON SOCIETY
• Publication date: 1996
• ISBN 10: 0827606206
• ISBN 13: 9780827606203
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 170