The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology

 The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology (Book 1 in a series) by Brit Lunden   104 pages

Not too long ago, I reviewed Brit Lunden’s “Bulwark.” I had believed it to be the first in a series, but I was wrong.  “Bulwark” is the jumping off place for a series of paranormal novellas written by different authors, totaling nine at this moment in time. Each author writes about a different character from the rural town of Bulwark, Georgia.

Lunden, the original author, goes back to the original story with her choice of characters: JB Stratton.  JB is now seventy years old. The love of his life, his wife Ellie, has been gone for more than twenty years. He lives alone, outside town, with his memories.

One night he rescues a couple from an accident nearby, bringing them to his cabin as they wait for the Sheriff Clay Finnes to arrive and sort it all out. While they are waiting, the rescued female sees a picture of Ellie and begins to accuse her of being a witch and abducting her children. But that’s not possible since she has been gone so long.

The story shifts to fifty-two years ago when JB and Ellie meet in high school. She is newly arrived from up North and has the cutest Northern accent. JB is smitten, but things don’t look too good for them to become a couple. Her family is wealthy; his is dirt poor.

Then the story makes another shift. This time back to the Civil War and, I believe, a small battle that was fought near Bulwark, during which the couple meet. I felt that episode needed to be fleshed out a bit, but it proved the point of “knowing.”

The story goes on to tell JB and Ellie’s high school romance, his dreams of going to college (with an appearance by legendary football coach Bear Bryant), and how those dreams turned out.

Like the original, “Bulwark,” the story moved along at a quick pace, even though it wasn’t scary. It was okay and “The Knowing: A Bulwark Anthology” receives 3 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

Good to Go

Good to Go: What the Athlete in All of Us Can Learn From the Strange Science of Recoveryby Christie Aschwanden, 302 pages

Aschwanden is a science writer for FiveThiryEight. She is a former high level athlete and stays active with running, cycling and cross country skiing.

Aschwanden investigates whether recovery products and services work. Unfortunately, when you examine the evidence, most of it indicates that the products and services don't provide a benefit or it is inconclusive. A lot of the studies aren't rigorous enough.

Even if they are presented with the lack of proof, those that use these products are unlikely to stop using them because of the perceived benefit. The placebo effect is certainly a confounding factor.

Based on all the information Aschwanden provided there are four things that I took away from this book. Good nutrition is important and can be obtained from a balance diet. You don't need drinks or supplements. The proper amount of sleep is vital to recovery. Overtraining is detrimental to recovery. Lastly, exercising too much while you are sick can have long lasting consequences.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it to athletes, people who exercise a lot or those interested in science.

Undefeated

Undefeated: Jim Thorpe And The Carlisle Indian School Football Team by Steve Sheinkin, 280 pages

“Native American Jim Thorpe became a super athlete and Olympic gold medalist. Indomitable coach Pop Warner was a football mastermind. In 1907 at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania, they forged one of the winningest teams in American football history. Called "the team that invented football," they took on the best opponents of their day, defeating much more privileged schools in a series of breathtakingly close calls, genius plays, and bone-crushing hard work. Sheinkin provides a true underdog sports story -- and an unflinching look at the U.S. government's violent persecution of Native Americans and the school that was designed to erase Indian cultures.” This was fascinating.  I knew nothing about Tbhorpe and very little about Pop Warner beyond his name.  The book read more like a story than a work of non-fiction, which made it fun to read, but it also imparted a lot of information, about the people, the history of football, and about the schools in general and Carlisle in particular.  This is a great book for history and sports buffs.

Checked

Checked by Cynthia Kadohata, 408 pages

When Conor finds out that his dog, Sinbad, has cancer, he realizes that he may have to choose between his dog and hockey.  Sinbad is his soulmate, so it really isn’t a choice, but Hockey is his life.  Luckily, although he has to cut back on some lessons for a while, he doesn’t have to quit completely.  Conor has a lot going on his mind, worry about his dog and his dad, hockey, figuring out the rest of his family, and his place in the world.  This book was really about relationships and growing up, but the hockey is a big part of that for Conor and I really enjoyed every part of the book.  Kids who like realistic fiction, sports stories, family stories, or dog stories will probably all love this book, unless they are bothered by the length.  I would highly recommend it.

Top Prospect

Top Prospect by Paul Volponi, 270 pages

“Travis Gardner lives to play quarterback. He's a standout QB by the middle school, and he's prepared to put everything he has into the game. Then Gainesville University's head coach makes Travis a promise: Travis will have a place on the team, and a scholarship to go with it. He just has to get through high school first. As Travis starts ninth grade, he'll have to earn his teammates' trust and dodge opponents aiming to sack the star quarterback. But his biggest challenge might be staying focused in the face of sudden fame. Because now the pressure is on, and Travis has to prove himself with every pass.” This was a good story with well developed characters.  I’m not sure that I really liked the main character, because he was pretty arrogant, but I was still rooting for him.  He was definitely real and Volponi does a good job of making you care.  This is a good read for teens who like sports stories.

Not If I See You First

Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom     310 pages

Parker Grant doesn't need 20/20 vision to see right through you. That's why she created the Rules: Don't treat her any differently just because she's blind, and never take advantage. There will be no second chances. Just ask Scott Kilpatrick, the boy who broke her heart. 

When Scott suddenly reappears in her life after being gone for years, Parker knows there's only one way to react - shun him so hard it hurts. She has enough

on her mind already, like trying out for the track team (that's right, her eyes don't work but her legs still do), doling out tough-love advice to her painfully naive classmates, and giving herself gold stars for every day she hasn't cried since her dad's death three months ago. But avoiding her past quickly proves impossible, and the more Parker learns about what really happened - both with Scott, and her dad - the more she starts to question if things are always as they seem. Maybe, just maybe, some Rules are meant to be broken.

Parker Grant is one of my favorite literary characters now. She's funny, she's direct (read: brutally honest), and she's a fierce, loyal friend. I am so glad I got to read a book from her perspective. And she's blind, a fact that does not change how you read her as a relatable teen character. Lindstrom does a fantastic job of adding layers to this story - Parker's blindness is not there to make her special or novel. She's just a YA protagonist who happens to be blind. And I learned so much about what being blind means from Parker. That was a brilliant side bonus to this story. I will never forget what she has taught me. Having a close friend who is disabled, I can relate a lot to Parker's friends and that dynamic. Many times, it doesn't change how the friendship is - only things like how the world handles the differently-abled changes things, like making it more difficult for them to get around or people treating them differently because they have this idea of how they're supposed to be treated. This is brought up well in the book, often in humorous ways so it doesn't feel preachy or overly sympathetic (things that Parker would hate). The story is so well constructed, the characters develop and evolve, and there are some very sweet, touching moments about friendship in here, about how you can love your friends and lean on them when you really need to. It's a great story about friendship, among other things. It's also a high school drama, and there is lots of drama, but it never feels cliched or redone. Lindstrom is not telling this story just because it's his idea for a high school story. There are many levels happening here and the fact that it takes place during high school is just a fact, not the main purpose. I also greatly appreciate the use of this novel to show that differently-abled people can do amazing, extraordinary things that often people would think them incapable of. Parker runs track. And she's good at it and it gives her a freedom that many would think her unable to achieve. I love that this book shows that, it's such an important thing, aside from bringing diversity to YA. Because of this, I would highly recommend this book to everyone, adults included. And Parker is a great character - she should get more recognition.

 

Rebound

Rebound by Kwame Alexander, 414 pages

“Before Josh and Jordan Bell were streaking up and down the court, their father was learning his own moves. In this prequel to Newbery Medal winner The Crossover, Chuck Bell takes center stage, as readers get a glimpse of his childhood and how he became the jazz music worshiping, basketball star his sons look up to.  A novel in verse with all the impact and rhythm readers have come to expect from Kwame Alexander, Rebound will go back in time to visit the childhood of Chuck "Da Man" Bell during one pivotal summer when young Charlie is sent to stay with his grandparents where he discovers basketball and learns more about his family's past.”  This is a great book for reluctant readers.  Despite its length, there is a lot of white space because it is in verse.  A great pick for teens who like realistic fiction, especially boys.

Patina

Patina by Jason Reynolds, 233 pages

“Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team--a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves. Patina, or Patty, runs like a flash. She runs for many reasons--to escape the taunts from the kids at the fancy-schmancy new school she's been sent to since she and her little sister had to stop living with their mom. She runs from the reason WHY she's not able to live with her "real" mom any more: her mom has The Sugar, and Patty is terrified that the disease that took her mom's legs will one day take her away forever. So Patty's also running for her mom, who can't. But can you ever really run away from any of this? As the stress builds up, it's building up a pretty bad attitude as well. Coach won't tolerate bad attitude. No day, no way. And now he wants Patty to run relay...where you have to depend on other people? How's she going to do THAT?”  I like this series but I really hate how they end.  However, this is a great series for kids who like realistic fiction, especially those that also like sports.

Beartown

Beartown by Fredrik Backman     418 pages

The saga of a small town and the ripples that one action causes all unfold from the various viewpoints of the grownups and children in Beartown.

This is a deep story, iceberg deep. On the surface is the story of the Beartown hockey team. Below it are all the different stories, complex and intricately told, of the people and children who make up the town and the team. Watching the different story lines unfold is one of the beauties of Backman's writing. Every character has their own voice, their dreams and their fears, and together, each voice paints a picture of the town. It's sad and it's bleak, it's hopeful and it's full of love. 

If you're into realistic fiction, especially of the small-town variety, this book is for you. Even if you don't appreciate or know anything about hockey, Backman draws you in, because this is not just about a hockey town, it's about the people that make up this hockey town. I found it infinitely frustrating, yet valuable, to read each character's reactions to/handling of rape, from the parents on down to the children. It will break your heart, but in the end, it's important because this story is build on empathy. 

The writing is beautiful, heartbreaking, and so well done. Though it was painful to get through in some parts, in the end, I feel it was worth the struggle. I highly recommend it. I listened to the audiobook of this story, which was very well done, and I'd recommend it, too.

Harry Miller's Run

HarryMiller's Run by David Almond, 53 pages

"The Junior Great North Run is coming soon to Newcastle Upon Tyne and Liam needs to train. But his elderly neighbor, Harry, needs a hand moving and Liam is asked to help. Little does he know that Harry ran in the Great Run as a young lad and has a very interesting story to tell!"  A cute story about growing up and relationships between children and the elderly.  I liked it and this would be a great book to give beginning chapter book readers.

A Season Of Daring Greatly

A Season Of Daring Greatly by Ellen Emerson White, 420 pages

Jill Cafferty is the first woman drafted into Major League Baseball.  Jill has always been a terrific pitcher and she’s excited but apprehensive.  She’s not sure if she’s really good enough.  She misses her dad, who dies a couple of years ago.  She’s just graduated high school and she wonders if she should have gone to college first instead.  When she’s playing the game, she loves it, but the responsibility weighs on her all of the time she isn’t playing.  This was a really awesome story, both about baseball and about a young girl coming of age.  I would recommend it highly, especially to female teens.

Ghost

Ghost by Jason Reynolds, 181 pages

Ghost is good at two things for sure; running and causing trouble.  His goal is to be a basketball star but when a local coach sees him run he starts running with the track team, under the condition that he stays out of trouble in school.  But staying out of trouble is hard and even though Ghost wants to run, he isn't sure he can keep up his end of the bargain.  As he begins to make friends with his teammates he's more determined to stay out of trouble and with a little help from his friends and his coach, he just may make it.  This was a good read for kids who like realistic fiction, especially kids who also like sports books.

Hit Count

Hit Count by Chris Lynch, 362 pages

Arlo is a football player.  He's really good and loves the thrill of the hit.  His older brother played too but quit his senior year because he was still on the junior varsity team.  After that his life seemed to go completely off track.  Arlo is determined that won't happen to him.  Despite his mother's fears for possible brain damage or death from all of his hits, Arlo can't give it up.  Football, especially the hit, is what he lives for.  Even though the rest of his life is pretty good, with a great girlfriend, a good family, and decent grades, Arlo needs the adrenaline rush from the hit.  Even when he starts to have problems with dizziness, double vision, memory, and losing time, Arlo refuses to admit that anything could be wrong.  This was a pretty good book about the possible effects of football head injuries.  I really think that a lot of teen boys would probably like this book.

Game Seven

Game Seven by Paul Volponi, 243 pages

Although this book was a little preachy I still thought it was a good story.  Julio's father defected from Cuba to the United States a few years ago.  Julio Senior, El Fuego, was one of Cuba's greatest pitchers, and is pitching for Miami now.  Life has been hard for Julio's family since his father left.  The whole family is under suspicion of being traitors.  His mother has to work hard just to make ends meet.  Julio had to leave school and get a job to help out and is afraid that he'll never have the chance to play ball on the Cuban team because of his father.  Then a chance comes for Julio to escape Cuba and flee to the United States.  It will mean leaving his mother and sister behind and the trip will be dangerous.  Also, Julio isn't sure exactly how he feels about his father after all of these years.  This would probably have a lot of appeal to teens, especially boys who like sports.

Tiger, Meet My Sister...

Tiger, Meet My Sister...: And Other Things I Probably Shouldn't Have Said by Rick Reilly, 342 pages

I'm going to hazard a guess and say that most of the people who blog here, and most of the people who read this blog, are not die hard sports fanatics or hard-core athletes. I could be wrong, and if I am, I retract the previous statement. But working under that assumption, I probably need to explain that Reilly is a longtime sports columnist, first for Sports Illustrated and now for ESPN. The man has even been inducted into the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Hall of Fame (though so has Mitch Albom; make of that what you will).

Anywho, Tiger, Meet My Sister... is a collection of Reilly's favorite ESPN columns, and often those that have gotten him in hot water or left him with egg on his face. In this collection, Reilly reprints the column where he admits that he feels like a world class chump for believing Lance Armstrong all those years; the column where he argues against retiring the name "Redskins" from the NFL team; even the column where he skewers the double standard of blocking PED-using players from the Baseball Hall of Fame while rolling out the carpet for their managers, who must have known what was going on. (Incidentally, his targeting of Tony LaRussa in that third column has made it so he "can't eat lasagna in downtown St. Louis anymore," according to a post-script.) But with all of those controversial or embarrassing columns, Reilly has also chosen to share some truly fascinating, even emotionally charged, columns, including an interview with Archie, Peyton, and Eli Manning; a story about a blind woman making a long commute to Yankees games from her home in New Jersey; and a fun one about commuting to the Staples Center on game day with Kobe Bryant.

These columns are all, no matter what they cover, entertaining and enthralling, and laced with Reilly's trademark humor. Many times while reading this, I found myself both chuckling out loud and then reading short passages to my husband (who was probably annoyed beyond all belief, since I was interrupting his own reading time). A great collection for even casual sports fans.