Growing Up Pedro: How the Martinez Brothers Made It from the Dominican Republic All the Way to the Major Leagues

Matt Tavares's 'Growing Up Pedro' tells the true story of Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martínez, focusing on his childhood in the Dominican Republic and his deep connection with his older brother, Ramon. The book beautifully illustrates how Ramon, an accomplished pitcher himself, served as Pedro's inspiration and mentor, helping him navigate the path from throwing rocks at mangoes to pitching in the Major Leagues. It's a powerful narrative about the importance of family support, the dedication required to achieve big dreams, and the cultural context of baseball in the Dominican Republic. Ideal for children aged 4-11, it offers an accessible entry point into biography and sports history.

The love between brothers is key to Matt Tavares’s tale of Dominican pitcher Pedro Martínez, from his days of throwing rocks at mangoes to his years as a major-league star. Before Pedro Martínez pitched the Red Sox to a World Series championship, before he was named to the All-Star team eight times, before he won the Cy Young three times, he was a kid from a place called Manoguayabo in the Dominican Republic. Pedro loved baseball more than anything, and his older brother Ramon was the best pitcher he’d ever seen. He’d dream of the day he and his brother could play together in the major leagues—and here, Matt Tavares tells the story of how that dream came true. In a fitting homage to a modern day baseball star, the acclaimed author-illustrator examines both Pedro Martínez’s improbable rise to the top of his game and the power that comes from the deep bond between brothers.