Choosing Up Sides

by John H. Ritter

Book Overview

When preacher's boy Luke Bledsoe steps on a baseball field, he discovers he has real pitching talent. For once, he can be proud of being left-handed. But Reverend Bledsoe believes that the left side... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0698118405
• ISBN13: 9780698118409
• Release Date: April 2000
• Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
• Length: 166 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.1" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 10 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 5 and higher

Customer Reviews

Out Of The Park 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.

An Incredible Read for Middle/Senior High Students

As Language Arts Chair and Peer Coach/Staff Developer, I'm writing on behalf of 500 middle school students, their teachers, and parents. John H. Ritter's first novel, Choosing Up Sides, is an extremely powerful story which has touched all of us in one of San Diego's public schools. Although every single language arts teacher read Ritter's book to each of their students during the school year 1999-2000, kids, parents, and teachers are still commenting on the plot and engaging in meaningful dialogues regarding complex issues faced by Ritter's characters. And, I don't expect the talk to fade. Afterall, isn't that what excellent literature is designed to do?Teachers are thrilled to put their hands on a gripping story that causes students to engage in critical thought, ask powerful questions, and express opinions on matters relevant to adolescents. Kids yearn to sink their teeth into issues that matter, issues that allow them to search for and define their own feelings. Ritter's book serves as a catalyst for such introspection and growth. And, his story is just as captivating for adults as it is for adolescents. Therefore, as teachers, we're receiving reports of kids and parents engaging in book talks over this novel. Imagine. Adolescents and their parents reading and discussing literature! Why is this happening?It's happening because Ritter's book is one of healing and hope. A young man gets in touch with his spiritual self and finds strength to love and forgive. Readers need more authors like Ritter who have the courage to make us squirm in order to grow emotionally, socially, and spiritually. Our readers are not only continuing to share Ritter's first novel with others, they are also reading and discussing Over the Wall, his second book for young adults.In conclusion, I take issue with a reviewer's suggestion that Choosing Up Sides may not be appropriate for its targeted audience. I suspect that this reviewer lacks insight into the developmental needs and strengths of adolescents. Adolescents, as proven by our students, are highly perceptive and discerning. They weren't left feeling that Ritter had coupled religion with superstition, as suggested by this one reviewer. In fact, this novel helped to clarify and solidify many a young person's spiritual beliefs.We anxiously await the release of many more novels by John H. Ritter. Our students and their families deserve the best. Until then, as a staff we intend to use both of Ritter's first two novels in all of our language arts classes.Thank you, John H. Ritter.

A great read!

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.

For anyone who has struggled to fit in

"Choosing up Sides" is a young adult book for everyone, of every age. The universal need to be one's self, and to be accepted for it, lies at the heart of this story and is sensitively handled by the author. Ritter has numerus opportunities to take the easy way out, and passes each by, opting instead for the more complex, thoughtful and realistic turn of events. I am not a young adult, nor am I left-handed, but I am a human being, which I believe is the only criteria necessary to enjoy this book. I look forward to reading more from this author in the future.

"Choosing Up Sides" is highly recommended.

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.