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Choosing Up Sides Audiobook
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(3.05) - 210 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Luke Bledsoe has a wicked fastball. But he shouldn't be pitching, or even playing ball-especially not left-handed. That's the side of the devil, says his pa, a fundamentalist preacher. But Luke's new-found friends and left-handed uncle say he's blessed with God-given talent. Luke doesn't know who to believe anymore. All his life, this young teen's been trying to please his pa. Now it's time to sort out what he wants for himself. To do so, Luke will need the same steely determination he calls up when running for home plate. But what about his pa? Can Luke's father balance his strict interpretation of good and evil with the love and encouragement his son needs? Johnny Heller's narration of this powerful first novel by John H. Ritter captures young listeners, and draws them to the startling conclusion. Also included is an interview with Ritter, recipient of The Judy Blume Award for contemporary fiction.
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"I read this book a long time ago, but I remember loving it because I am left-handed. My father was left-handed too, but he grew up in a time when they looked down on southpaws. This is a great book not just about baseball (though I'm not a fan) but being yourself. Great for tweens, teens, and older."
— N (4 out of 5 stars)
Quotes
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“Artful, subtle expression may be found in the author’s depiction of local color and metaphors mostly having to do with fishing and hunting.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Cleverly told in a colloquial first-person twang, this thoughtful tale of authority questioned and dreams denied will be real enough to many readers.”
— School Library Journal -
“Vivid, suspenseful…Luke’s emotions are meticulously conveyed, and Ritter avoids making the boy’s father a one-dimensional villain, showing his troubled, conflicted psychological make-up. No ordinary baseball book, this is a rare first novel.”
— Kirkus Reviews
Awards
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An ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Choosing Up Sides Listener Reviews
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" So frustratingly fabulous. The ending left my mouth hanging open. "
— Lindsay, 8/8/2013 -
" Great story about the discrimination of left-handed people in the 1900s. "
— Richard, 3/3/2013 -
" The struggles of a "sinister" boy who is left-handed. Very intriguing storyline... Very excellent book. "
— Chante, 2/27/2013 -
" Great story! Good read aloud with boys! "
— Sarah, 2/3/2013 -
" I'd recommend this book to anyone. It was amazing. "
— Jaxson, 1/25/2013 -
" It is called its title because Luke has to decide whether he wants to be Christian, or on the "Devils Side." I do not like how this book is all Christian. "
— Matthew, 12/16/2012 -
" It was OK very intresting story though and an unpredictable ending. "
— Kallee, 11/17/2012 -
" This ending is so bad! if i could rate with negative stars, i'd give this book a negative three. "
— Connor, 9/4/2012 -
" It is an interesting book. Even for someone that is not in to sports. It will make you laugh and even groan at some parts, but this book is one that should really be in a young readers collection. It has segregation, old school religious values, and just topics that are not really covered today. "
— Gabriel, 8/7/2012 -
" Such a good book! It almost made me cry. It totally sucked me in to the time period and Luke's life...and then, when I thought I had the ending all figured out, it actually surprised. Sad, but fun and funny at times as well. A great thinker book but also good for children. I say yay for this book! "
— Diana, 8/3/2012 -
" Religious superstition and a boy's drive to use his gifts combine in a blow-me-away ending I'll never forget. Highly recommended, quick read. "
— Lisa, 6/26/2012 -
" I thought the book was a good book but there was an excessive amount of fighting over one topic throughout the book. "
— 2, 4/13/2012
About John H. Ritter
John H. Ritter grew up playing
“good ol’ country hardball” in the hills of eastern San Diego County. Out on
the field he would invent stories about the game—stories that, years later,
would end up becoming award-winning novels for young adults. His novels have
secured his place as one of the preeminent writers of baseball fiction for
young people. He lives with his wife on the Kauai, Hawii.
About Johnny Heller
Johnny Heller, winner of numerous Earphones and Audie Awards, was named a “Golden Voice” by AudioFile magazine in 2019. He has been a Publishers Weekly Listen-Up Award winner from 2008 through 2013 and he has been named a top voice of 2008 and 2009 and selected as one of the Top 50 Narrators of the Twentieth Century by AudioFile magazine.