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miawilson's review
3.0
The Brooklyn Nine is separated into nine different parts or "innings" each following a different generation of the same family living in America throughout the history of baseball. While the premise of the novel is unique and the pacing lends itself to a quick read, these same attributes didn't really allow for any in-depth characterization. The vignettes were enjoyable enough but the ending didn't feel meaningful enough in tying them all together. Overall, an okay read. I know my middle school students would probably enjoy it, but I prefer Alan Gratz's Refugee.
gabrielmichaelg's review
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
erika_reynolds20's review
2.0
This book isn’t what I anticipated, so my low rating has more to do with my expectations than the actual writing or story. I liked the format: each chapter is an inning that documents a different time in history related to one family’s love of baseball. It was interesting how Gratz was able to weave so many stories and people together. I was expecting more baseball, though. Every chapter has some mention of baseball, but it isn’t actually at the foreground of every story. Also, I’m not a huge history buff, so I wasn’t particularly interested in the first several chapters. I enjoyed this book more once it got into the 1900s and the historical context was more familiar to me. Again, though, there’s nothing wrong with the writing or story, and it would probably be a good book for reluctant male readers.
lynnietakalele's review
3.0
The format was interesting, each inning a different generation. I enjoyed the first couple innings, the first if which got into some old baseball rules and the other into the civil war. I like the first girl character who was on a team during world war 1. The chapter with the girl who helped place bets was good. The others fell flat and the ending was weak. I wished for the dial for a real connection to history to be turned up.
book_nut's review
5.0
A fascinating tapestry of a family, a game and a nation. It seems like that would be too ambitious for a middle grade book, but it works, and works well.
sliverphish's review
4.0
Eighth Inning was some fantastic writing. It was heart pounding, intense stuff. I think what I found lacking in the book was the final generation. I was sad to see that the stories were not passed down from one generation to the next and that Snider has these important pieces to his own history, but he will never know how they fit into his life. Overall, I loved walking through each generation and seeing the evolution on baseball and Brooklyn.
eirelyn's review
5.0
[a:Alan Gratz|68794|Alan Gratz|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1604676729p2/68794.jpg]Hmmm. How to word this? Loved it.
It was amazing how each family member and baseball connected to the next and you also got a piece if history(both regular and baseball).
Still dealing with the end though. I'm a person who LOVES different character connections.
It was amazing how each family member and baseball connected to the next and you also got a piece if history(both regular and baseball).
Still dealing with the end though. I'm a person who LOVES different character connections.