Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip Audiobook, by Jordan Sonnenblick Play Audiobook Sample

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip Audiobook

Curveball: The Year I Lost My Grip Audiobook, by Jordan Sonnenblick Play Audiobook Sample
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Read By: Luke Daniels Publisher: Brilliance Audio Listen Time: at 1.0x Speed 3.33 hours at 1.5x Speed 2.50 hours at 2.0x Speed Release Date: March 2012 Format: Unabridged Audiobook ISBN: 9781611061505

Quick Stats About this Audiobook

Total Audiobook Chapters:

25

Longest Chapter Length:

19:06 minutes

Shortest Chapter Length:

01:47 minutes

Average Chapter Length:

12:12 minutes

Audiobooks by this Author:

5

Other Audiobooks Written by Jordan Sonnenblick: > View All...

Publisher Description

There’s nothing All Star pitcher Peter Friedman loves more than baseball. It’s his life. He breathes baseball, dreams about it, and works his tail off to be great. Most kids are nervous about starting high school, but Pete’s amazing arm is going to make his life pretty easy. When you’re the star, girls, popularity, and all-around stud status are sure to follow.

But Pete’s freshman year doesn’t turn out as planned. A pitching accident over the summer ruins his arm. If he can’t play baseball, what is he supposed to do? If he isn’t the star pitcher, then who is he? Pete’s best friend and pitching partner, AJ, doesn’t believe Pete—he tells him he’ll be back to his normal self by spring training. To make matters more complicated, there’s something going on with Pete’s grampa—he’s acting weird and keeps forgetting important things, and Pete’s mother doesn’t want to talk about it.

The only person Pete can confide in is Angelika, the amazingly cute girl in his photography class who might like Pete as much as he likes her…only Angie doesn’t know if she can date someone who can’t be honest with himself, or with the people he’s closest to.

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"This is another chapter book that tells a story about a young boy, Peter Friedman, who must discover a new identity in 9th grade after a terrible accident on the baseball field. He was a star pitcher who may never pitch again, so he is forced to find something new. He grabs a liking to photography because of his grandpa and this pretty blonde girl that he meets on the first day of school. I really enjoyed this book because it deals with how adjustments and transitions can be hard. I could remember when I went into 9th grade and how I was scared to make new friends or try new things. I believe that many children would enjoy this book because of the ability to connect with the main character in one way or another. This story was easy to read and very enjoyable. For all of the reasons above, I would allow my students the opportunity to read this chapter book, especially those who are going into 6th or 9th grade, because they might experience some of same things that Peter did."

— Tyley (5 out of 5 stars)

Curveball Listener Reviews

Overall Performance: 4.1 out of 54.1 out of 54.1 out of 54.1 out of 54.1 out of 5 (4.10)
5 Stars: 7
4 Stars: 8
3 Stars: 5
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Narration: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Story: 0 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 50 out of 5 (0.00)
5 Stars: 0
4 Stars: 0
3 Stars: 0
2 Stars: 0
1 Stars: 0
Write a Review
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Not Sonnenblick's best - this story is about Pete, a boy who must deal with an injury that ends his days playing baseball forever, a grandfather who is slipping into dementia, and starting freshman year. It isn't a BAD book, it just isn't as good as Sonnenblick's other books, and it feels a little rushed and short. Pete is appealing and smart as a character, and his fans will probably like the book. Definitely not for kids lower than 6th grade. Best for 6-8, but be warned that boys who are looking for a baseball story will be disappointed. There is little baseball action, and some key details (no left-handed boy would be allowed to play catcher at a high school level) are just wrong.... "

    — H, 2/18/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " This book is amazing! It is a realistic fiction book. Curveball is about a freshman named Peter. Peter takes a photography class, where he meets Angelika. Peter's grandfather has been acting strange lately and as Peter spends more time with Angelika, she leads him to realize that something is seriously wrong with his grandfather. I loved this book and I recommend this to people who like books that are fun to read but have a more serious conflict in them as well. "

    — 7709eva, 2/15/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Cool story. For boys, fans of photography and sports. "

    — Janina, 2/13/2014
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Jordan Sonnenblick is a great realistic fiction writer. While this isn't my favorite of his, it was well-done. The story of a boy who along with his best friend has been one of the best baseball players. But when he wrenches his arm and learns he probably will not be able to play again, he decides to devote himself to photography and winning over the girl he's had a crush on and dealing with his ailing grandfather. "

    — Erin, 2/5/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " I love YA author, Sonnenbrick's writing style! (Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pies)He articulates a teen's quirky humor and efforts to deal with some heavy life situations with aplomb. This time, it's a star baseball pitcher's elbow injury, so severe that he will never pitch again. Thanks to a passion for photography he inherits from his beloved grandfather,(currently suffering from the onset of Alzheimer's Disease)he gets a yearbook job shooting sports photography and also gets the girl. "

    — Lonna, 1/29/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love Jordan Sonnenblick. He's just such a perfect author. "

    — Alexandria, 1/17/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Peter's life is arranged around his baseball playing until he ruins his elbow the summer before ninth grade. But with supportive family and friends, he will find a different talent and a different way of being involved. Terrific voice, believable scenarios and a light touch on important issues, this was my first Sonnenblick--but not my last! "

    — Kim, 1/10/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Not to be confused with an action-heavy sports book, this thoughtful book is a bit predictable, but still shows typical struggles of a freshman boy. Peter is a likable narrator and this is overall an enjoyable read. "

    — Carrie, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " Soonenblick hits another one out of the park! I love how he weaves baseball into all kinds of everyday life situations. He always highlights youth angst. His male characters are smart and funny and appealing to male and female readers. I think he is my new favorite! "

    — Lynda, 1/1/2014
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great book for people who like sports. Eventhough its mostly about baseball.. "

    — Diana, 12/16/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I adore Jordan Sonnenblick, as a writer and a human being. Another home run. "

    — J.H., 11/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Finished it in one and a half hours. I highly enjoy Jordan Sonnenblick's novels, and I hope he continues to write good books. "

    — Rose, 11/15/2013
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I love Jordan Sonnenblick's writing. The issue of dementia really hit home with me. I'll admit, I had tears in my eyes at the end. If I had been at home, I probably would have boohooed. Can't do that in the school library while I'm keeping detention! "

    — Marilyn, 11/1/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Great, great book. Wish it had been longer. "

    — Melanie, 10/3/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " Probably my favorite of Sonnenblick's since Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie. The characters are well drawn, the plot moves well, and the details of both the baseball and the photography work well with the story. Well worth the time for the right age group. "

    — Marshaferz, 3/11/2013
  • Overall Performance: 4 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 54 out of 5

    " this book took on pretty heavy subject matter in a light, funny and interesting way that i really enjoyed. "

    — Mckinlay, 2/26/2013
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Sonnenblick's books are always a pleasure to read. Though this wasn't my favorite of his (it is "Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie"), I did enjoy it. I love his sense of humor. "

    — Heather, 10/16/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " I LOVE all of Sonnenblick's books...make me laugh...make me cry...very talented author! "

    — Stacy, 9/22/2012
  • Overall Performance: 3 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 53 out of 5

    " Sweet, but a bit predictable. "

    — Katie, 8/4/2012
  • Overall Performance: 5 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 55 out of 5

    " It was a GREAT book! I couldn't put it down! "

    — Tara, 2/29/2012

About Jordan Sonnenblick

Jordan Sonnenblick is the author of the acclaimed Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie, Notes From the Midnight Driver, and Zen and the Art of Faking It. In addition to being a writer, he is a middle-school English teacher and would never penalize one of his students for bringing an imaginary friend to school.

About Luke Daniels

Luke Daniels, winner of sixteen AudioFile Earphones Awards and a finalist for the Audie Award for best narration, is a narrator whose many audiobook credits range from action and suspense to young-adult fiction. His background is in classical theater and film, and he has performed at repertory theaters around the country.