Book: The Whole Sky Full of Stars Author: Rene Saldana, Jr.
Audience: Tween to Teen
In a Nutshell: boxing, gambling and friendship don't mix
Alby and Barry have been best friends since first grade, but now that friendship is threatened. Alby has gotten in over his head gambling with the school card shark, Ciro, and now he's got a debt he can't pay. He could ask his wealthy parents for the money, but he doesn't want to face the lecture from his father.
Barry learned to box from his trainer father before he died, and he's good. When Alby suggests he fight in the unsanctioned Man o' Might competition, Barry is hesitant, but Alby's description of the prize money convinces him. Barry's mother works 12 hours a day or more and they're barely making ends meet, and Barry wants to help.
Alby knows he's taking advantage of his best friend, but he really needs the money, and he's afraid of what Ciro's goons will do to him. But Barry's not stupid, and the way Alby is manipulating him threatens to end their long friendship.
Not a bad book, but didn't capture my interest much at all. I've got prettty broad taste, but boxing and cars (the Ford Galaxie Barry and his dad worked on) aren't on the top of my list. Maybe guys will like it. Might be a good choice if you're looking for a guy book with action without the edginess, and a short, quick read.
1 comment:
Hey there. I wanted to drop you a note of thanks for giving my book an honest go. My intent with it wasn't so much to write a book that would exclude certain readers (in this case, the YA female, as reviewers have said again and again: it's a book for boys), but it turned out that way. Which is okay by me b/c YA guys need their own books. Good thing I didn't add more about the mechanics of cars or of boxing. You'd've just hated it outright. Later, Rene.
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