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kgormley's review against another edition
2.0
I can see where this would appeal to teenagers, especially boys who enjoy sports. Not really my cup of tea, but still a decent book.
malvord27's review
5.0
I loved this book. I appreciated that the author gave a little descriptor before each story to help the reader understand where we were in the protagonists life. I haven't read Chris Crutcher's books in the past, but getting a little insight helped me and I would imagine helps previous readers of his work.
I think the author did a good job of taking the reader back to their teenage years, with all the angst and worry and 'unknown'. I liked the descriptions of each of the athletic events, and how you understood what was happening despite the fact that I've only jogged and played basketball!
All in all a good read and I'll be on the lookout for more books from him.
I think the author did a good job of taking the reader back to their teenage years, with all the angst and worry and 'unknown'. I liked the descriptions of each of the athletic events, and how you understood what was happening despite the fact that I've only jogged and played basketball!
All in all a good read and I'll be on the lookout for more books from him.
harukoreads's review
3.0
Gotta be honest, I probably would have never picked this book up except for the fact that it's been banned so many times. And I have to say, I'm glad I've read it!
This series of short stories features characters from Crutcher's other novels, but I found them enjoyable even as a reader unfamiliar with his work. I can see why this book has caused so much pearl clutching, since it speaks so candidly about gay men, AIDS, drugs, death, sexism, racism (warning for extensive use of slurs), prejudice, sex, religion, abusive parents... I could go on. That being said, I think all of these topics are discussed with care and nuance, and it's plain the Crutcher respects his young readers with these complicated topics. My favorite story in the collection was The Pin (about a high school wrestler who decides to wrestle his abusive father).
I probably won't be reading more Crutcher, because although some of these stories were very heartfelt, the focus on sports isn't really for me, and the adolescent boy narratives sometimes led to fairly two-dimensional female characters, but that being said I think the world is better for having this book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports novels or deliberately reading banned books.
This series of short stories features characters from Crutcher's other novels, but I found them enjoyable even as a reader unfamiliar with his work. I can see why this book has caused so much pearl clutching, since it speaks so candidly about gay men, AIDS, drugs, death, sexism, racism (warning for extensive use of slurs), prejudice, sex, religion, abusive parents... I could go on. That being said, I think all of these topics are discussed with care and nuance, and it's plain the Crutcher respects his young readers with these complicated topics. My favorite story in the collection was The Pin (about a high school wrestler who decides to wrestle his abusive father).
I probably won't be reading more Crutcher, because although some of these stories were very heartfelt, the focus on sports isn't really for me, and the adolescent boy narratives sometimes led to fairly two-dimensional female characters, but that being said I think the world is better for having this book, and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys sports novels or deliberately reading banned books.
arkenne90's review
3.0
The six short stories that Chris Crutcher includes in this book are all interwoven with sports and all have teenage male protagonists, but with very different problems and issues to work through. Crutcher writes with wit as we preview peeks into the lives of these teenagers. A few of the characters were interesting and would maybe worth reading one of his books that are dedicated to those specific characters.
Despite what the cover might have you think, the stories are not sports-centric. In most the stories, it is just mentioned or a sport is just part of who a character is and how they cope with a problem they are working through, which I think made their stories more believable and relatable. I can definitely see "jock" type high school boys enjoying these stories, but not necessarily reluctant readers who are into sports. I always feel like teachers and librarians try to accommodate sport-motivated boys rather than reading motivated with books about sports. This book is not for that sort of boy. The reading level is a little difficult for reluctant readers and some of the older references will go over their heads (some of them went over my head!).
Despite what the cover might have you think, the stories are not sports-centric. In most the stories, it is just mentioned or a sport is just part of who a character is and how they cope with a problem they are working through, which I think made their stories more believable and relatable. I can definitely see "jock" type high school boys enjoying these stories, but not necessarily reluctant readers who are into sports. I always feel like teachers and librarians try to accommodate sport-motivated boys rather than reading motivated with books about sports. This book is not for that sort of boy. The reading level is a little difficult for reluctant readers and some of the older references will go over their heads (some of them went over my head!).
williamsdebbied's review
5.0
In this collection of six short stories based on characters from Crutcher's books, he reminds me again of why he is one of my favorite YA authors. And also one of the most-often banned. He uses the world of high school sports to address issues faced by young adults in a sensitive and realistic way. As his heroes get on with the task of growing up in a difficult world, they deal with just about every -ism there is.
Crutcher's books provide excellent talking points for conversations that parents, teachers, and any other concerned adults should be having with the kids we love.
Crutcher's books provide excellent talking points for conversations that parents, teachers, and any other concerned adults should be having with the kids we love.
randyribay's review
5.0
I wasn't too crazy about Crutcher's newest book, but I loved this collection. Brave stories with a strong voice.
engpunk77's review
4.0
I can't believe how raw and poignant these stories are. I didn't like the first story, as I thought it was inauthentic, but the rest of this six-story collection is genuine, politically incorrect like you wouldn't believe, and serious. Crutcher's style of writing impressed me; I chuckled and smiled as much as cried, and I felt, really FELT for each of the protagonists. Issues dealt with without shame or preachiness include having a terrible relationship with a parent, death, disastrous consequences of choices and having to live with them, forgiveness, obesity (although that's the story that I felt was off-the-mark), homosexuality, humiliation, bigotry, racism, disabilities, and of course, sports. I haven't seen such an honest portrayal of real-life issues in literature for teens, ever. I highly recommend this, and I think it's ones that guys can relate to especially (but I did, too).
I listened to the audio version on cassette tape over several commutes because my car still has a cassette player. The recording was excellent. P.S. Be sure to read the prefaces to each story; the author explains why he wrote each one, and they were just as valuable as the stories themselves.
I listened to the audio version on cassette tape over several commutes because my car still has a cassette player. The recording was excellent. P.S. Be sure to read the prefaces to each story; the author explains why he wrote each one, and they were just as valuable as the stories themselves.
manwithanagenda's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I didn't read this when I was growing up, I'm not even sure if I ever saw a Chris Crutcher book before I did a Banned Books display at work in college. I'm sure I did, but all I'm conjuring up are Matt Christopher books (which I avoided like the plague) and hearing the occasional oral report in class from a 'sports' book, which instantly made me turn off my attention.
I sort've wish I had read Chris Crutcher, and I'm not just saying that because of issues of homophobia or racism that he brings up, but because he is one of those few authors who can really get how teenagers think. Each story is prefaced with a little intro from Crutcher saying where he got his inspiration or which one of his novels the story is spun out of, and in those intros you get an even better sense of how much Crutcher understood the struggles kids can go through. Even better you knew, from the way he wrote, that he wasn't just somehow patronizing the kids who wanted to read about sports. This was stuff he really cared about.
I wasn't an athlete, never aspired to be one, but there is something universal about what Crutcher is writing about that anyone can appreciate. We've all been there.
The only real flaw I noticed was that he overstates his case with homophobia, paired with AIDS specifically, and racism. The last two stories about befriending a young gay man with AIDS despite deep prejudices and a story told from the perspective of a racist are heavy-handed. With AIDS especially, there needed to be that kind of activism and directness. These days (fortunately) the social climate has changed enough that those stories can be told with more nuance.
My favorite story though was "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune". It's the only story that didn't stem from one of Chris Crutcher's novels and also inspired a movie that I had completely forgotten about (along with the rest of the world): 'Angus'.
Anywho, Chris Crutcher rises above the rest of the "sports books" crowd and, I hope, is still challenging kids to think and read and perhaps inject a little substance into their weekly book reports.
I sort've wish I had read Chris Crutcher, and I'm not just saying that because of issues of homophobia or racism that he brings up, but because he is one of those few authors who can really get how teenagers think. Each story is prefaced with a little intro from Crutcher saying where he got his inspiration or which one of his novels the story is spun out of, and in those intros you get an even better sense of how much Crutcher understood the struggles kids can go through. Even better you knew, from the way he wrote, that he wasn't just somehow patronizing the kids who wanted to read about sports. This was stuff he really cared about.
I wasn't an athlete, never aspired to be one, but there is something universal about what Crutcher is writing about that anyone can appreciate. We've all been there.
The only real flaw I noticed was that he overstates his case with homophobia, paired with AIDS specifically, and racism. The last two stories about befriending a young gay man with AIDS despite deep prejudices and a story told from the perspective of a racist are heavy-handed. With AIDS especially, there needed to be that kind of activism and directness. These days (fortunately) the social climate has changed enough that those stories can be told with more nuance.
My favorite story though was "A Brief Moment in the Life of Angus Bethune". It's the only story that didn't stem from one of Chris Crutcher's novels and also inspired a movie that I had completely forgotten about (along with the rest of the world): 'Angus'.
Anywho, Chris Crutcher rises above the rest of the "sports books" crowd and, I hope, is still challenging kids to think and read and perhaps inject a little substance into their weekly book reports.
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