Fifteen-year-old Johnny Woods has tried to be the man of the household, ever since his father left two years earlier. But in 1880s New York, with no highschool diploma, Johnny has to work in the sweatshops, where he hardly makes enough money to feed his family. He and his family live in the slums, and he dreams of getting out of there.
Then he sees a sign for boxing—and a money reward—that changes his life. Although boxing for money is illegal, Johnny tries out--and gets put in jail for six months. In jail, he meets a famous middleweight boxer, now retired—Michael O'Shaunnessey. Michael takes Johnny under his wing, feeds him well, and trains him to be a top notch boxer. Johnny already had raw talent; he just needed some intense training, support, and advice, and he gets all this, and a way out of poverty, from Michael.
This is an incredibly well-crafted book. Right from the first paragraph, we begin caring about Johnny and his plight. We want him to find a way out of poverty for himself and his family—and we want him to win against the people and circumstances that try to stop him. Johnny is a character we like and can look up to; he is generous, kind, compassionate, and keeps trying to make things better for himself, his family, and other people. He never gives up, even when the odds are against him, and he tries to do the right thing. He is also intelligent and talented, and begins as an underdog—and as a result, we care deeply about what happens to him.
Johnny speaks with a strong, powerful voice, as does O'Shaunnessey, and we see Johnny grow and change throughout the novel. There is powerful imagery, the dialogue sounds right, and the characters feel very real. Although Johnny's siblings are not fleshed out, they are not the focal point of the story. However, Johnny's mother could have had a little more fullness to her, but she is a great character.
Under Karr's expert writing, the setting and time period come alive in this story, and feel authentic. There is not one boring place in the book. The story draws us in, and holds us there completely. It feels as if the Karr really knows the world and what it feels like to be there. The ending is also satisfying. This is a thoroughly enjoyable, satisfying read. Highly recommended.
Shattering Glass
by Gail Giles
Roaring Brook Press, 2002. ISBN: 0761315810
Simon was textbook geek. Skin like the underside of a toad and mushy fat. His pants were too short and his zipper gaped about an inch from the top. And his Fruit of the Looms rode up over his pants in back because he tucked his shirt into his tightey-whiteys. He had a plastic pocket protector, no joke, crammed with about a dozen pens and a calculator.
--Shattering Glass, Gail Giles, p. 1.
This is a disturbing, suspense-filled book about a group of high-school boys who first make the school outcast, Simon Glass, popular, and then kill him when he tries to do things his own way. The story is told by Young Steward, who is part of the popular group in his highschool, but feels he doesn't really belong, and could just as easily be an outcast. Young is close friends with the other popular kids in his clique, including Rob, a dynamic, persuasive, and controlling social leader.
Rob is the one who decides to make Simon Glass popular---and with the help of Young and the others, he succeeds. But Simon only goes along with Rob's plans as much as he wants to, until the others, who blindly follow Rob. Simon also does things his own way, and stands up to Rob when he wants to. So Rob tries to wrest back his control, by making Simon even more popular---demanding that Young give up his girlfriend for a special dance, and hand her over to Simon. Young does this---even though it means that he loses the girl he loves.
Simon displays a streak of cruelty towards the people he doesn't like, and is depicted in such a way that the reader will not feel much empathy for him--but his death, eluded to throughout and finally depicted in the end of the novel, is disturbing.
As the story moves forward, we are given glimpses as to why each of the characters act as they do.
Giles successfully portrays Young as a sympathetizable character, at least until he willingly hands over his girlfriend to be used in the ploy to make Simon popular, treating her like an object. Giles' use of teen speech and slang is excellent; the characters' language is vivid, very male, and believable. Her descriptions are vivid, and there is a thoughtfulness woven through the story that compels us to think about the impact of blindly following others.
Most of the characters are fairly rounded, and the writing is fresh, vivid, and masterful. An excellent device that keeps tugging the reader forward, through all the chapters, are the quotes at the beginning of each chapter from various minor and major characters in the book, foreshadowing events to come, and giving us added perspective and depth that we would not have otherwise. Although, for me, the last tenth of the book lost some of its grip as Rob acted with such indifference, and I would have preferred a little more depth and insight, the book is a compelling, fast-paced, believable read. If you like happy endings, don't pick up this bok.
Disturbing, chilling, and believable. A great read! You'll want to check out Giles' other book after reading this one.
My rating: 
-Added August 1, 2003
Safe At Second
by Scott Johnson
Philomel Books/Penguin, 1999. ISBN: 0399233652
Paulie and Todd's friendship is cemented in one thing: their love of baseball. While Paulie isn't any good at baseball, Todd shines; scouts and agents have their gaze on Todd, who is a promising baseball star pitcher. Todd has long been used to special treatment and constant praise from other people, and Paulie has, in a way, basked in his shadow. Although Paulie is not good at baseball, his love of the game is unsurpassed, and he is a strong supporter of Todd.
And then tragedy happens. Todd is hit in the face by a baseball, and he loses an eye. He can no longer pitch, although he tries his hardest. Todd becomes angry and bitter, and lashes out. Paulie desperately tries to get Todd back to pitching...until he gradually realizes that much of his own self-esteem comes from Todd's success.
After much struggle, both boys become stronger, more fully their own selves, instead of others' ideas of who they are.
Told from the perspective of Paulie, we see both characters change and grow with the events of the story. The characters are believable, rounded characters written with complexity and depth, and while at times some of their reactions don't feel entirely real, overall they successfully carry the story.
More than just a tale for baseball lovers, this is a powerful, moving story of friendship, bravery, and inner strength that will touch many readers.
My rating:
-Added May 16, 2003
The Fire Pony
by Rodman Philbrick
Putnam Juvenile/Penguin, (reprint) 2001. ISBN: 0698118774
Roy, an eleven-year-old orphan, has been rescued from a foster home by his older half-brother, Joe. Roy is glad to be with Joe—but worried, too, about the fire they left behind—a fire he knows that Joe started. They drive westward, looking for work and a place to stay hidden from the police. Both boys love horses, and are skilled with them; Roy is a great rider, and Joe has a special talent with horses—he's able to work with horses that everyone else gave up as a lost cause. So when they arrive at Bar None, a ranch that's willing to take them on, it seems like the perfect place.
The owner of Bar None likes Roy, and even gives Roy a horse to train. Roy begins to feel like he might have a home. But underneath his blossoming happiness is the constant worry about their past coming back to haunt them—and the future, if Joe decides to set another fire.
The writing is engaging, the characters are well-rounded, and the ranch is depicted with clarity. Ray, in particular, is an engrossing character; once you get inside Roy's head, and you stay there. The suspense in this book draws you forward. This is a gripping, enjoyable read. Satisfying.
You might know this author from his book Freak the Mighty (or from the movie made from that book) .
My rating:
Counterfeit Son
by Elaine Marie Alphin
Puffin, 2002 (reprint). ISBN: 0142301477
Fourteen-year-old Cameron has lived in terror of his father—a serial killer who kidnaps, abuses, then kills young boys—for as long as he can remember. He has experienced emotional asd psychological abuse at the hands of his father. When his father is killed in a shootout with the police, Cameron grasps at his one chance to have a normal life and a loving family—he poses as one of his father's victims.
In his new identity as Neil Lacey, he is reunited with Neil's family—but all the while he's very aware that although Neil's parents instantly accept him, the police and Neil's sister do not believe that he is really Neil. He desperately wants them to; he wants to be able to live a real life. When Neil's younger brother is kidnapped by one of his father's friends, Cameron must face up to the truth and reveal his scam—a scam that turns out not to be such a scam. The book is rivetting and compelling, revealing the great denial and psychological wounds that can result from severe trauma.
My rating:
Out of Order
The Boxer