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Summary: The Fathers in CHOOSING UP SIDES and OVER THE WALL
Review: I have noticed the way the fathers in both of Mr. Ritter's novels, CHOOSING UP SIDES and OVER THE WALL seem to keep their families on their toes in some way or another. In CHOOSING UP SIDES, the father dominated the family by enforcing strict rules with old- fashioned punishments. Luke had to be very careful around him, so he was never quite comfortable. In OVER THE WALL, Tyler felt like his dad was making him "an outsider in his own home." He and his mother had to "talk easy," and "not do anything that might upset Dad." In fact, in both stories, Luke and Tyler seemed to have to hold in their true thoughts and feelings so as not to upset their fathers. Because the cause of this discomfort was different in CHOOSING UP SIDES, the resolution in OVER THE WALL will most likely also be different. Both of these novels are causing me to think and talk about issues with my friends. I will be looking for more books by John H. Ritter.
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Summary: Choosing Up Sides
Review: I have strong reservations about this book. It is captivating, well written, a great story, but I think the cruelty is two heavy for the targeted audience. I don't like organized religion being lumped together as superstition for a group of readers who are not old enough to comprehend the many nuances of faith. I thought it was a great book for older readers but should be used with caution and lots of discussion for young readers.
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Summary: A Good Book
Review: I liked this book. One of the many plusses is the reality of the conflicts faced by the main character. However, I found it to be rather predictable.
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Summary: Amazing Book to Read Again and Again!
Review: I really thought that The Boy Who Saved Baseball was my favorite alltime book but then I read Choosing Up Sides. It grabs you to the last page with suspense. my dad and mom both read it and could not beleive it was so good! I can't tell you how good it is please read it for yourself!
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Summary: "Choosing Up Sides" is highly recommended.
Review: In "Choosing Up Sides", by John H. Ritter, the reader BECOMES 13 year old Luke Bledsoe, immersed in the sights, sounds, tastes, and feelings of 1921 rural Ohio, identifying with Luke's struggle between his father's expectations and his God given talents. "Choosing Up Sides" is a must read for all ages.
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Summary: A great read!
Review: John H. Ritter has a new fan! Seldom do I ever read a story that makes me cry or gasp out loud as this one did. This is a compelling book by a natural-born storyteller.
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Summary: Choosing Up Sides
Review: John Ritter hits a homerun with this novel. In a story for all ages Ritter brings to life young Luke Bledsoe, a 14 year old boy with his eyes on a pretty girl in his class, his right hand on a Bible held by his father, and his left hand on a baseball.
Sports can teach us many lessons in life. Through baseball, Ritter teaches his audience about the power of identity and influence.
At 14, Luke is at a stage in his life when his identity is beginning to be formed. Luke, and many others, start to discover things about himself that he didn't previously consider. The most important of these discoveries is that his dad's interpretation of the Bible didn't seem logical or consistent with Luke's interpretation. Luke struggles throughout the story with choosing sides: his father and mother or his uncle and girlfriend. Luke's final decision is not so much who he stands with as much as what he stands for. Despite his bold stance and his willingness to do what is right Luke suffers tragedy and looses the alliance that he has with one side after an ironic and intense ending.
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Summary: Out Of The Park Review!
Review: John Ritter hits a homerun with this novel. In a story for all ages Ritter brings to life young Luke Bledsoe, a 14 year old boy with his eyes on a pretty girl in his class, his right hand on a Bible held by his father, and his left hand on a baseball.
Sports can teach us many lessons in life. Through baseball, Ritter teaches his audience about the power of identity and influence.
At 14, Luke is at a stage in his life when his identity is beginning to be formed. Luke, and many others, start to discover things about himself that he didn't previously consider. The most important of these discoveries is that his dad's interpretation of the Bible didn't seem logical or consistent with Luke's interpretation. Luke struggles throughout the story with choosing sides: his father and mother or his uncle and girlfriend. Luke's final decision is not so much who he stands with as much as what he stands for. Despite his bold stance and his willingness to do what is right Luke suffers tragedy and looses the alliance that he has with one side after an ironic and intense ending.
Rating:
Summary: Choosing up sides
Review: The book Choosing up sides was a very good book. The only thing I didn't like about it was the religion in this book. They had to many rules. I don't think it was right to change Luke from being a natural left hander to a right hander. I also didn't like the way his dad would beat his left hand if used it. But other then that it was a great book.
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Summary: Choosing Up Sides
Review: The book I read was called Choosing Up Sides. I thought the book was very good. I really liked the book because I play softball and it was about a boy who was a really good pitcher, but his dad wouldn't let him play. There were a few things I didn't like about the book though. One thing I didn't like was the dad in the story. He had too many rules and he was mean to Luke. I also didn't think it was right to change Luke from bing a natural left hander to a right hander. The main thing I didn't like was the way his dad would beat his right hand if he used it. But other then that it was a great book.
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