Out of the Ballpark

Book Description

Before he hit 400 home runs...
Before he was named
American League MVP...
Before he was AROD to
millions of fans...
He was Alex.

Just a kid who wanted to play baseball more than anything else in the world.

Baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez has drawn on his own childhood experiences to create this exciting picture book. It's the story of a boy named Alex who knows what it's like to swing at a wild pitch or have a ball bounce right between his legs. Alex is determined not to let his mistakes set him back—even if it means getting up at the crack of dawn to work on his hitting and fielding before school each day!

Full of the spirit of determination and joy in the game that put AROD in a league of his own, Out of the Ballpark is a gift from a great sports hero to every young player who dreams of becoming a star.

Customer Reviews:

A little disappointing -- consider Jorge Posada's "Play Ball!" instead.......2007-06-08

After reading Jorge Posada's excellent children's book, "Play Ball!" at least a dozen times at my four-year-old son's request, I was excited to see "Out of the Ballpark" by Alex Rodriguez, one of the great players of our time.

Although other reviewers seem to love the book, my son can barely tolerate it and will pick any other baseball book before this one. He doesn't light up like he does with Posada's book, or any of his baseball books, for that matter.

His favorites are the amazing Casey At the Bat: A Ballad of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888 (Caldecott Honor Book), the entertaining Casey Back at Bat, the beautifully illustrated Home Run: The Story of Babe Ruth and a book that features his favorite player, Dear Ichiro.

The story felt like it was trying too hard to me and never really developed the great rhythm good children's book authors seem to find. Take note: this is a fictional story loosely based on events in A-Rod's life...a fact that isn't revealed until you've completed the story. I probably wouldn't have purchased the book had I known it was fiction.

When it comes to children's books, Posada hit a homerun. A-Rod, well, I'll give him a bloop single...and I'm giving him that for picking a decent illustrator!

Great for kids.......2007-03-15

I find this a great book with some wonderful surpises inside for young boys and girls who are just getting into baseball. They can learn what it means to be part of team and it shows respect to one another. My grandson had a great time with it.

Out of the Ballpark.......2007-03-10

Nicely written; very simply presented with good illustrations.

Children need to know the importance of long term goals and "practice makes perfect"...This story presents those values.

Great book for children!!!!.......2007-03-10

I bought this book for my grandson and he loved reading it. Any book that can hold his attention is well written. Thank you so much for writing it.

Out of the ball park.......2007-03-09

I bought this book for my godson Gage he is 6 and he loves this book because it is about baseball.

Average customer rating:

Terrific Cal Ripken book

The Longest Season
Cal Ripken
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0399244921
Release Date: 2007-04-05

Book Description

Even with a 12-0 loss to start the '88 season, Cal Ripken, Jr. had plenty of reasons to love being a Baltimore Oriole. He was playing alongside his brother Bill, and his father, Cal Sr., was managing the team. They'd win the next one. But the Orioles didn't win their next game, or the next, and soon what was supposed to be a dream season for Cal slid into a nightmare of losses no one saw coming.

With brilliant and expressive color paintings from Ron Mazellan, future hall-of-famer Cal Ripken, Jr. shares the ups and downs of the Orioles' record 21-game losing streak, and reflects on the rewards of hard work, regardless of what's on the scoreboard.

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Cal Ripken book.......2007-05-13

If you're an Orioles fan, the 1988 season was a horrible time. The O's lost 21 in a row to start the year. Cal Ripken retells this season in a children's book that teaches perseverance.

I bought this book for my 6-month-old son, knowing he won't be able to understand it for several years. The pictures are outstanding. (If you're an O's fan like myself, you'll get a kick out of seeing familiar names drawn as art.) And the message is a positive one.

I highly recommend the book. One question, Cal: When's the book on the 1989 "Why Not?" Orioles?

Average customer rating:

Basketball and Life Lessons
Hoops
Not Appropriate for Teens
Hoops
Hoops Is The Bestest Basketball Book In The World

Hoops
Walter Dean Myers
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

Fiction | School & Sports | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

All 4-for-3 Deals | 4-for-3 Books Store | Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0440938848
Release Date: 1983-03-15

Book Description

All eyes are on seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson while he practices with his team for a city-wide basketball Tournament of Champions. His coach, Cal, knows Lonnie has what it takes to be a pro-basketball player, but warns him about giving in to the pressure. Cal knows because he, too, once had the chance--but sold out.

As the Tournament nears, Lonnie learns that some heavy bettors want Cal to keep him on the bench so that the team will lose the championship. As the last seconds of the game tick away Lonnie and Cal must make a decision. Are they eilling to blow the chance of a lifetime?

Customer Reviews:

Basketball and Life Lessons.......2007-06-29

Lonnie is a seventeen-year-old basketball player from Harlem. He wants to do something with his life but he hasn't really thought much beyond high school and basketball. This summer there is a huge tournament for teams throughout the city. Lonnie and his friends form a team, and are assigned a coach, a man named Cal whom Lonnie thinks is a worthless drunk. At first Lonnie even refuses to play, but then changes his mind and joins the team.

As the team starts practicing for the tournament, Lonnie ends up spending a lot more time with Cal, who is harder on him than on anyone else on the team. Lonnie comes to realize that Cal, a former NBA player who ruined his career by gambling, really thinks his basketball game has promise. Maybe it even has enough promise to get him noticed by college scouts.

I liked that the characters in this story all had faults; it made them much more engaging. You usually expect the coach in a story like this to be wise or to have learned from his mistakes, but Cal was still fighting his demons, which made him much more real.

Hoops.......2007-02-16

HOOPS

This story is about seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson who is a terrific basketball player who participated in a citywide basketball tournament of champions. Lonnie's coach Cal knows he can make it to the NBA if he doesn't pressure it. Cal knows because he once? Had A chance. Could Lonnie and his teammates blow a chance of a lifetime.
Hoop's is one of the best basketball books I've read yet. It will thrill you as you read through this book's pages at a time. This book will leave your moth wide open and surprised by the end of the book. Since this book was so good I would rate this book at the top.

Not Appropriate for Teens.......2007-02-06

This was on the board approved list for my school and I read it in hopes of teaching it to my class. Sex, drugs, cheating, stealing and alcohol...there is a good message, but it is hidden pretty deeply. I would let students read this if they are advanced in maturity and had a good set of values, otherwise I would not want my teens to read this.

Hoops.......2006-11-15

The book i read is called HOOPS by Walter Dean Myers. HOOPS is a good book about a boy named Lonnie trying to get to the NBA. It shows how difficult it is to get to the NBA. I think you should read HOOPS because it will give you knowledge of what you have to go thruogh to get to the NBA. Hoops is for all basketball lovers. If you want to learn more about HOOPS then read the book.

Hoops Is The Bestest Basketball Book In The World.......2006-11-03

The book Hoops is a great book for basketball players and watchers but be over 11 to read it cause its got so mild language and stuff.
All right the book is about this basketball team that has tons of great kids on there team like Lonnie,Paul,Sweet Man,Ox,and Harrison. There coaches name was Cal and in the book he sounds like a great coach. If you enjoy sports books then i recomend it.

Average customer rating:

This book is fair
Sports lovers will enjoy this book

Michael's Golden Rules
Deloris Jordan , and Roslyn M. Jordan
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Picture Books | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0689870167

Book Description

"I've learned it takes heart to come out a winner every time, whether you win or lose."
-- Michael Jordan

Jonathan wants to win more than anything. But the Badgers haven't seen much of that lately. For Jonathan, the only good thing about the baseball season is being on the same team as his best friend, Michael. Jonathan wants to believe in himself and his team, but it's getting harder to do.

Then when Michael's uncle Jack tells the boys about his golden rules of baseball, Jonathan is confused. What could Uncle Jack mean -- there is more to a good game than winning or losing?

Deloris and Roslyn M. Jordan, mother and sister of basketball superstar Michael Jordan, tell a family story of personal best, friendship, and teamwork that will inspire. Kadir Nelson's radiant illustrations illuminate this story of what it really means to be a champion.

Customer Reviews:

This book is fair.......2007-08-11

I am a school teacher in MA. I noticed this book was on the summer school reading list for students entering the third grade, so I decided to read it. I am not a fan of books written by celebrities or relatives of celebrities. If Deloris Jordan was not Michael Jordan's mother it never would have been published. The plot and dialogue are hackneyed.

Sports lovers will enjoy this book.......2007-07-16

My 5 year old loves baseball. So this book was the perfect book for him. The illustrations were great, and the story was great. The golden rules are wonderful, and are a great starting poing in applying them outside of baseball. He reads this book frequently. Highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

John Coy Shows Promise
crackback. Must Read!!!!!!!!
Read It!!!!!!!!
crackback
What a great book

Crackback
John Coy
Manufacturer: Scholastic Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Fiction | School & Sports | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0439697336

Book Description

When Miles Manning, a successful high school football player, discovers his teammates are using steroids--and one of them is his best friend--he's faced with a tough decision: Is he willing to do what it takes to win? Football is his life, and his family, especially his dad, is pinning its hopes on him. It's a lot of pressure for a high school junior to bear. This gripping look into the world of high school boys and athletes--and their struggle to be the best--is provocative and searingly honest.

Customer Reviews:

John Coy Shows Promise.......2007-07-15

As a debut YA effort, I can't fault John Coy's CRACKBACK for trying. In fact, it shows hints of bigger things to come, but ultimately I think this novel will please most its niche audience only -- middle school-aged boys who love football. I plan to offer it to my students who claim they don't read because reading's too boring because I think this will be of interest to them if they love playing football.

Many other young readers will be disappointed or ambivalent about this book, however, as I was. Most notable to me was the overabundance of short, simple sentences in rather large font. They actually slowed me down because I wasn't able to get into any reading rhythm due to the "staccato-like" diction. My advice to Coy would be to mix it up with some longer sentences and paragraphs now and then.

I also thought the characterizations of both the protagonist's (Miles Manning's) father and one of his coaches (Coach Stahl) were too similar and too much like cardboard cutouts of creeps. There was an attempt at the end to salvage the father, but it just didn't go over so well. The good coach (Coach Sepolski), good teacher (Mr. Halloran), good little sister (Martha) and good mother (Mom) all had small roles here, so they didn't help to distract me from the Tweedledee and Tweedledum aspects of Dad and Stahl.

The same is true for the other football players on the team -- minor roles, overall. A field goal for Coy on his knowledge of football, however. It does come across as realistic because he knows his sport. One plot development -- the issue of steroid use -- kind of fizzled after showing promise early on. Ditto the plot points surrounding evil Coach Stahl. The end on that count is as unrewarding as a tie game after overtime.

What I liked best was Miles' point of view. I enjoyed some of his "quirky" thoughts about girls, adult hypocrisy, school, gays, and the importance (or nonimportance) of winning. Miles is not a stereotype like Dad or Coach Stahl, and readers will appreciate him as a real person with genuine thoughts and problems.

Coy, already famous as a picture book author for young children, is entering the YA field for the first time with this novel. I think he shows promise and, if I were a scout at the game, I'd put a check near his name to keep an eye on future works. If you have a kid who loves football (or if you ARE a kid who loves football), buy it and enjoy it. Otherwise it might be like paying a lot of money to watch the Arizona Cardinals play "NFL" football -- a tad disappointing.

crackback. Must Read!!!!!!!!.......2007-06-13

Coy, John, Crackback, New York NY: Scholastic Inc., ©2005.
Pages 204

How does pressure from the coaches, news, parents, and fans affect a high school student who plays sports?

This book is about a kid name Miles Manning who is a starter at Wide Receiver for his varsity football team at 5'11'' and 155 pounds. He doesn't lift weights over the summer like rest of the guys, so he is weaker. The coaches are pushing him to work harder and listen to the coaches, but they still say that he catches the ball wrong. His friend offered him 2 pills that help him have an edge over everyone else and his friend says they're like a jolt of caffeine. Then later on his friends offered him some other pills to take. Miles does some research and finds out they are steroids.

His friends keep pushing him to take the pills so he can be bigger and stronger. His friends are getting bigger and bigger everyday, but the coach doesn't know they are taking steroids. The coach wants him to be big and strong like his teammates. He has a big choice to make taking the drugs and getting bigger plus hurting his body slowly or take the long way and keep his career.

My favorite part of the book is his final game because it's so intense and there's tons of action going on really fast. It feels like you are there watching them play out on the field and sometimes you feel like one of the players.

Overall I liked this book. The author, John Coy writes this book so you can't put it down. When you read it it's like watching a movie and sometimes you feel like you are there. Everyone should read this book. You get to see high school life, sports, girls, drugs, parties, and tons of other things in a high school student's life. This book is realistic fiction.

By Kyle Struiksma

Read It!!!!!!!!.......2007-05-19

Stunning, thrilling, fascinating, phenomenal, sports, one book you don't want to put down. Crackback. What does this mean. What kind of title is this? Think about football for one moment. Plays. Tackling. Running routes. Well the title of this book means/One play so well designed that it will crush your football dreams forever.

If you are in high school and play football then you will enjoy reading this book. As an18-year-old senior in high school, Miles Manning overcomes hell. He goes through peer pressure, overcomes fights, and still manages to do good in school. Have you ever played football? Have you ever been burned in football on a play that the other team scores on every time? If the whole team was counting on you and you were so nervous that you have no time to respond, and then BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMM you are the first person to stop that play. What would you feel? What would you do?

Now one screw up and back at the bottom you are. This is a book that goes up to the climax and down to the bottom of boredom. There are lots of off your seat times in this book that will surprise you. This is a great book for those football players out there. This book is a great source to good football and to having fun doing it.

crackback.......2007-05-16

The book crackback has a realistic genre. It was written by John Coy. Also it was illustated by Marijka Kostiw. You got to give them both credit for this book. Because this book is an exciting novel that keeps you focused throughout the time you read. It's a high school and sports book. So if you like sports you will love this book. The sport they are playing in this book is football. High school football is one of the best times for football. The story is revolved around a young tennager fighting for a spot on the varsity fooball team for his school. The coach got sick and a new coach came in and made his life and tough one. The coach did not like the player, and it was a hard ride thoughout the year for the player. If I was looking at this book and I was deciding if i was going to read it or not. Since I have read it I would choose to read it again. I would recomened this book to anyone that love sports and who is addicted to it and remembers high school to read this book.

What a great book.......2007-04-05

Miles is your typical high school student, football player, watching the girls, and the friends he needs to impress. His dad is a controlling, over angry parent. There is no dealing with that guy. He wants Miles "man" Manning to be the best football player in the world. Anything else is a disappointment. Then one play he screws up one play and it will haunt him. His friend Zach wants him to take the "roids", but he doesn't, so Zach hates him. Then right when his life can't get worse he meets a girl.

Average customer rating:

Get Up and Go!

Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0670059811

Book Description

We all come in different shapes and sizes, and it doesn't matter if you are tall, short, skinny, or round.Your body is your own, and you need to take care of it.

Book Description

Young Michael Steel loves to watch the New York Yankees on TV—from his hospital bed. Michael has brain cancer. But when Yankee second baseman Robinson Cano visits Michael in the hospital, Michael embarks on an unexpected and wonderful journey when he becomes a Yankee batboy for a day. It's his baseball dream come true!

When Michael's illness makes him weak on the field, can he be strong enough to fulfill his batboy duties and make his new teammates proud? With a little help from Yankee greats Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Joe DiMaggio, Roger Maris, and Mickey Mantle, Michael Steel earns his nickname "The Boy of Steel" and learns a very important lesson: Never stop fighting!

Laura Seeley's vibrant, action-packed illustrations illuminate Ray Negron's touching and triumphant story, and children and parents alike will root for Michael as they learn about baseball, cancer, and a life lesson we all need to know. With a foreword by Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos, The Boy of Steel will be a hit with your little baseball fan.

Customer Reviews:

The Boy of Steel.......2007-01-22

I very nice story that any baseball fan would like. A good story for teaching children about illness and how to deal with it.

The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True.......2007-01-16

This book is very special to me since it is based on the life of my nephew. The book displays the courage of a little boy. Lives can be changed after reading this book. We are never too old or young to learn that we are put here for a purpose and we should make the most of every day we are given and work through any adversities that are put in our life's path.

The Boy of Steel: A Baseball Dream Come True.......2007-01-12

Sometimes it is a children's book that should be read by ALL young and old alike.
Ray Negron's book is one of those books. A wonderful story with a great uplifting message
for children AND adults.
Moms and Dads should read this one to ALL the children and teachers should be encouraged
to add it to their class curriculum.

Just a great book---that does not come around too often. BUY this one!!! You will NOT be disappointed!!

Beautiful Story.......2007-01-10

If you want to bawl, this is the book to read. Written with alot of love and tenderness and history of the NY Yankees, by a guy who works in the Yankees front office. A++++

A Fine Inspirational Book........2006-11-12

A Great Book For Children Also For Adults. It Shows A Never Give Up Attitude In Life And That Some Dreams Can Come True. It Also Clearly Shows Beyond Any Doubt That The New York Yankees Are By Far The Greatest Sports Franchise Ever.

Carly Patterson: Be Strong (Positively for Kids Books: Gymnastics)

Average customer rating:

Carly Patterson: Be Strong (Positively for Kids Books: Gymnastics)
Carly Patterson , and Clint Kelly
Manufacturer: Positively for Kids, Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ages 9-12 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0976572230

Product Description

2004 Olympic all-around gold medalist Carly Patterson describes her journey from cartwheeling in her backyard to standing on the winners podium in Athens, Greece. Carly was just 16 years old when she became the second American female in history to win the gold medal in the all-around gymnastics competition.

Average customer rating:

Hampton's a Winner
Richie's Picks: KNIGHTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY

Knights of the Hill Country
Tim Tharp
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Issues | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

General | Literature | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

Fiction | School & Sports | Teens | Subjects | Books

General | Literature & Fiction | Teens | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Teen Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0375836535
Release Date: 2006-08-22

Book Description

In a small Oklahoma town, one star linebacker must decide what kind of man he wants to be--both on and off the field.
Welcome to Kennisaw--where Friday night high school football ranks right up there with God and country, and sometimes even comes in first. This year, the Kennisaw Knights are going for their fifth straight undefeated season, and if they succeed, they'll be more than the best high school team in the eastern Oklahoma hill country--they'll be legends.

But the Knights' legacy is a heavy weight to carry for Hampton, linebacker and star of the team. On the field, he's so in control you'd think he was able to stop time. But his life off the field is a different story. His father walked out on him and his mom years ago, and now his mom has a new boyfriend every week. He's drawn to a smart, quirky girl at school--the type a star athlete just isn't supposed to associate with. And meanwhile, his best friend and teammate Blaine--the true friend who first introduced Hampton to football back when he had nothing else--is becoming uncomfortably competitive, and he's demanding Hampton's loyalty even as Hampton thinks he's going too far.

This unforgettable novel is the story of a boy whose choices will decide the kind of man he becomes, and raises powerful questions about sportsmanship, loyalty, and the deceptiveness of legends.

Customer Reviews:

Hampton's a Winner.......2007-08-19

My friends might be surprised that I read a book that wasn't a fantasy, let alone a sports book, but good writing transcends genre and subject matter, and Knights of the Hill Country is very good writing. The best thing about this book is narrator Hampton Green's voice, which gives a whole new meaning to that overused expression, "pitch-perfect." I was just wondering this morning if I was a little too harsh in a couple of recent reviews, and then I read this book and felt justified by the difference in quality! Talk about a dimensional character--teenage football player Hampton is SUCH a real and unique person, his voice colored by a regional tone which simply adds to the story telling.

Hampton plays football on a virtually unbeatable high school team because his best friend Blaine and Blaine's father have taught him to play hard and well. Over the years, Hampton has relied heavily on those relationships, with his own father gone and his mother largely unavailable. But during Hampton's senior year, he finds himself becoming aware of a disconnect between his vision of the world and Blaine's outlook on life. Hampton thinks of himself as slow, but he's starting to realize that it's not because he's stupid; instead, he mulls things over. Unlike Blaine, Hampton has trouble expressing his thoughts on the spot.

Hampton gradually becomes disillusioned with being a follower, particularly Blaine's follower. The fact that Hampton has turned out to be a very good football player, while Blaine is held back by an untreated knee injury, is one reason for the conflict--a frustrated and envious Blaine puts a strain on Hampton's straightforward loyalty with his increasingly irrational demands. Among other things, Blaine tries to put a stop to Hampton's interest in a girl Blaine feels isn't sufficiently popular and good-looking. But Hampton's relationship with Sara helps him to think in new ways and break Blaine's hold over him. Hampton wisely realizes that he can love football and play to win without neglecting other possibilities and joys in life.

All of this growth is shown in the context of Hampton and Blaine's activities at school, on dates, and especially during football games. The sports scenes are particularly well written, given greater meaning by Hampton's take on the game. (I like how Hampton ruefully contrasts his ability to make exactly the right moves in football with his inability to say the right things in social settings.)

The book's pivotal moment shows that Hampton's deep loyalty to Blaine can move him to do something which, while it infuriates Blaine, saves Blaine from himself. In a very satisfying evolution, seemingly passive Hampton becomes the action-taker--and we realize that his integrity has given his "still waters" choices increasing power, in contrast to Blaine's frenetically petty mistakes. I highly recommend Knights of the Hill Country. When I updated my program's library, I didn't find very many excellent sports-centered YA novels, but this one definitely earns a place on that shelf.

Richie's Picks: KNIGHTS OF THE HILL COUNTRY.......2006-10-20

What is this world coming to? Two football stories worth my talking about in the same year? What is next -- me out there barbecuing tofu at a tailgate party?

Back when Hampton Green was nine years old, his father abandoned the family. Hampton and his mom had moved downstate to a modest rental in Kennisaw, Oklahoma. Mom landed a job in a store and, in the ensuing years, has gone through a series of boyfriends. During those years she has never been there emotionally for Hampton.

Hampton's salvation since moving to Kennisaw had been his long friendship with Blaine Keller. A generation ago Blaine's dad had been part of the Kennisaw Knights high school football team that went undefeated for five straight years. Blaine and his dad taught Hampton the game of football and now the two friends are seniors and stars on this generation's miracle Knights team, aiming at completing their own fifth undefeated season to match that legendary streak of the past.

But Blaine has been trying to hide from the adults how badly his knee was injured in a game at the end of the previous season. It becomes painfully clear to us that the increasingly bitter Blaine Keller -- with his unforgiving father on his back -- is not going to achieve the greatness beyond high school that he's got all his chips riding on. Meanwhile, the big, redheaded, six foot-four Hampton is only getting better as he continues to develop his unmatched intuitive sense of the game.

Unfortunately, Hampton doesn't have the same intuitive sense when it comes to school assignments or to talking with girls. But on the plus side, despite being in the position to ride Blaine's coattails and consort with the most popular girls at school, Hampton has developed a quiet admiration for a shy yet articulate girl with baggy clothes named Sara Reynolds whom, thanks to her wild hair, the popular kids scathingly refer to as Bush Girl.

It is Sara who has some important things to teach Hampton.

"Darnell didn't see how nobody with an ounce of brains could fight for the Confederates and Lana said she had ancestors that was on the South's side and they was fighting for a way of life and old-fashion family values.
"Darnell turned over to me. 'Can you believe this girl, Hamp? You explain it to her. I'm wore out.'
" 'I don't know that much about it,' I said. looking down. Last thing I wanted to do was get balled up in a controversy. As good of a fighter as I was on the football field, I hated a argument in civilian life. Darnell was my best friend after Blaine and he was black, so I wasn't about to take the South's side, but I didn't want to hurt Lana's feelings neither. Besides, I didn't know but what Sara might have some relatives from the South somewheres along the line too.
"Darnell threw up his hands. 'How about you Sara? You're smart. Let me ask you. Was slavery wrong?'
" 'Of course,' she said.
" 'Well, then, let me ask you another thing. What reason could anyone have for fighting on a side that wants to own slaves?'
"Sara was quiet for a moment, her long lashes shading down over her eyes. 'Well,' she said finally, 'I guess a lot of folks want to be part of a side so much they just go along with what their side says is right.'
" 'Even when it's really wrong,' Darnell threw in.
" 'That's just it,' Sara said. 'Some people don't know who they really are themselves, so how are they going to know what they think is right or wrong?'"

One of the seminal themes in young adult literature involves adolescent characters learning to speak, and to speak up, as they create their own voices and identities. Hampton's innocence and blind loyalty to Blaine have totally impeded his ability to develop that individual identity and voice, but with the end of high school in sight we are rooting loudly for this big, goodhearted Oklahoma kid with his "durns," "done alreadys," and folksy metaphors, to heed Sara's lessons and become his own person.

Scouting for Boys: The Original 1908 Edition (Dover Value Editions)

Average customer rating:

scouting for boys review
Excellent if you skip the intro
SM202
"The British Empire wants your help"
A Book That Changed The World

Scouting for Boys: The Original 1908 Edition (Dover Value Editions)
Robert Baden-Powell
Manufacturer: Dover Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Social Sciences | Nonfiction | Subjects | Books

Instructional | Hiking & Camping | Outdoors & Nature | Subjects | Books

General | Sports | Subjects | Books

Look Inside Children's Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Nonfiction Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Outdoors & Nature Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books

Look Inside Sports Books | Trip | Specialty Stores | Books
Similar Items:

ASIN: 0486457192

Book Description

The blueprint for the Boy Scout movement, this hugely influential manual is a must for anyone interested in scouting, youth education, and outdoor activities. The celebrated British general not only provides energetic tips on camping, tracking, and woodcraft, but offers proper Victorian-era advice on manners, self-discipline, and, above all, good citizenship. Includes the original illustrations.

Customer Reviews:

scouting for boys review.......2007-01-18

Excellent book detailing the original , if somewhat dated thoughts , of the founder of the Scout Movement- Sir Robert Baden Powell. A must have read for all interetesed in the movement and it's principles

Excellent if you skip the intro.......2007-01-11

This original text of BP's "Scouting for Boys" is an excellent read. You can skip the introduction, however. The intro is a steaming pile of horse excrement written by someone seething with contempt for BP and the Boy Scout movement. Why it was included with the book is beyond me unless it's to provide bum fodder whilst camping. Remember, a scout is thrifty!

SM202.......2005-01-01

I was an Eagle Scout as a boy, and now I'm the founding Scoutmaster of my sons' troop. As such, I was anxious to get a copy of this hard cover version. Baden-Powell's work is a classic and well worth the read. The problem with this edition is the Introduction by Elleke Boehmer. Without it, the book is a 5-star. Ms. Boehmer appears a non-believer. Reading her is like taking a pessimistic art critic along side while viewing an art gallery. Far more benefit (for all concerned) would occur without her input. For each positive she states about BP, she mentions a negative. She also spends just over two pages discussing homosexual tendencies (pp xxxii-xxxiii) within BP's works, something which is out of place in this work. I started to list several quotes, but I think one sums it up best of all from the back cover: "She has never been a scout, but she did once shake hands with Lady Baden-Powell at a jubilee celebration in South Africa." I guess that must make her an expert.

"The British Empire wants your help".......2004-06-16

At the very beginning of the twentieth century, retired General Robert Baden-Powell, the hero of the siege of Mafeking, coalesced his ideas for an organization to train young British boys in scouting for the British Empire. Not a very organized thinker, Baden-Powell borrowed heavily from all sorts of unrelated resources - newspaper articles, military dispatches, fiction, and much more - and produced this, his first book on scouting. Originally published as six separate books, this book brings all of them together, complete with original illustrations.

Now, as might be expected from its roots, this book reflects a lot of the biases and ways of thinking from Edwardian England. But, leaving that aside, this is a fun and interesting book that shows clearly the forms that have stayed with the Boy Scouts movement to this very day. The introduction was written by Elleke Boehmer, a professor of Colonial and Postcolonial literature, and is a fairly predictable deconstruction/analysis of B-P and his movement.

Now, as a newcomer to Scouting (my son is a Tenderfoot) did I find anything useful in this book? I sure did. Robert Baden-Powell was very knowledgeable about the subject, and this book sure shows it. (I never thought of tying my shoes like that!) Of course some of the information is out of date, especially the first-aid information, so it isn't really usable by the boys "as is." But, this is a nice resource, one that shows you where Scouting started.

Oh, and I must say that I actually enjoyed the somewhat jumbled organization of this book. It isn't as scholarly and antiseptic as modern Boy Scout books, and the stories and tales laced throughout make the reading much more fun. Plus, I did find the focus on some subjects, such as logic and deductive reasoning, to be quite interesting. I loved this book, and highly recommend it to you!

A Book That Changed The World.......2000-01-21

This book is the basic foundation of the largest youth organisation in the history of the world and has been printed in more editions and languages than most other books apart from the Christion Bible. It was designed to be read by young people and to motivate them to develop all of their skills. It continues to be a major force in motivating young people to prepare to be active citizens in society. However it also contains simple truths for adults on the nature of young people and how best to help them learn and to achieve their full potential. It is required reading for adults educating or working with young people. Read it, enjoy it and then come join Scouting.

Books:

Books Index

Books Home

Recommended Books