It's sports time! Today's read circles around baseball, umpires, pressure and more, and I'm curious to see how all of this is packed inside these pages. The cover does attract attention and makes the theme clear, which I do appreciate. Plus, it's from an author, who has several well received reads...although I don't believe I've read any from Mr. Greenwald before. So, I'm excited to see how it goes.
Grab a hot dog...or maybe not since ketchup doesn't mix well with paper...and let's settle down to see what these pages hold!
(Note: This one is being added to my possible favorites of the year list because it was very grabbing the entire way through.)
THE RIGHT CALL
by Tommy Greenwald
Harry N. Abrams
Middle Grade Contemporary
272 pages
ages 8 to 12
From award-winning author Tommy Greenwald comes a thrilling companion novel to Game Changer that explores the growing pressures in youth sports, and the lengths some parents will go to make sure their kid comes out on top
Cal Klondike’s life revolves around baseball. He’s the Walthorne Baseball Academy’s star pitcher, and everyone from his coach to his dad to the town sports blogger is telling Cal he has an unlimited future in the sport. But with all this attention comes a lot of added stress, especially as the season kicks into high gear and college and pro scouts start to show up at the games. Inevitably, tensions that have been bubbling under the surface finally boil over, culminating in a confrontation that could change Cal’s relationship to baseball forever.
Told through a combination of transcripts, articles, texts, and emails, The Right Call is a gripping, fast-paced story for middle grade readers about our split-second decisions, facing the consequences, and the courage it takes to forgive.
Cal Klondike’s life revolves around baseball. He’s the Walthorne Baseball Academy’s star pitcher, and everyone from his coach to his dad to the town sports blogger is telling Cal he has an unlimited future in the sport. But with all this attention comes a lot of added stress, especially as the season kicks into high gear and college and pro scouts start to show up at the games. Inevitably, tensions that have been bubbling under the surface finally boil over, culminating in a confrontation that could change Cal’s relationship to baseball forever.
Told through a combination of transcripts, articles, texts, and emails, The Right Call is a gripping, fast-paced story for middle grade readers about our split-second decisions, facing the consequences, and the courage it takes to forgive.
MY TIDBITS
Tension and determination mix with right and wrong in a grabbing read surrounding sports.
Although only fifteen, it's clear Cal is a very talented pitcher, and he's already drawing quite a bit of attention. Thanks to his trainers, even pro scouts are already taking a look at him. While he's trying to just enjoy the game, his father's enthusiasm and support is becoming extreme, and it's beginning to wear on Cal with the increased pressure to impress and succeed. When his desire to catch the scouts' attentions lands him with an injured shoulder, he's even more determined before and soon not only overcomes his injury but seems to be, maybe, better than before. During his first game back on the diamond, an umpire makes a call many don't agree with, especially Cal's father. Throwing insult after insult at the umpire, Cal's father is finally kicked out of the stadium, leaving Cal to fight to keep his head where it needs to be. But Cal's problems are only beginning, since he finds his father arguing with the umpire after the game in the parking lot. A shove ends with the umpire in the hospital and Cal's father arrested and facing charges. While Cal loves baseball, he's not sure how to handle the situation and soon is looking at life in an entirely new light.
The entire tale is told through various forms of media. Newspaper articles, text messages with friends, prose like thoughts, and more forms build up the entire story to create a mosaic, which weaves together effortlessly. The author has done a wonderful job at using the different forms at exactly the right time to create a grabbing atmosphere while bringing across the information as it's needed. It creates a quick and potent read, which even more reluctant readers are sure to enjoy.
While the story centers around Cal and highlights the huge stress involved when talented athletes face scouts, increasing popularity, and growing expectations, it also increases awareness concerning the difficult position umpires can find themselves in because of these high expectations. Bullying and even violence in the face of supposed bad calls comes to the forefront. But there's also a sense of goodness and hope as the true meaning behind the love for sports is explored.
Not only sport fans are sure to enjoy this read, but it packs tons of good messages and food for thought. Add the clever usage of media types, and it's one that even teachers and homeschoolers might want to pick up.
And here he is...
Tommy Greenwald is the author of Game Changer, Rivals, and Dinged. Game Changer is on 19 state lists, was a YALSA Top Ten pick, and a Junior Library Guild Premier selection. Rivals was a Junior Library Guild selection, and a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Greenwald is the author of the Crimebiters! and Charlie Joe Jackson series, among many other books for children. Day jobwise, he is the cofounder of Spotco Advertising, a theatrical and entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter (with Andrew Lippa) of John & Jen, an off-Broadway musical that has been produced around the country and internationally.
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