The YA Book Log

Have you ever pictured living a life as a high school dropout whose only job is working in a grocery store? Well, in the novel THE CONTENDER by Robert Lipsyte, this is the life of a 17 year old African American named Alfred Brooks. Alfred has no parents and is living with his sweet old Aunt Pearl and her three daughters Charlene, Sandra, and Paula. His best friend James Mosley is sinking further and further into drug addiction. One day when Alfred is beat up by a gang, he decides to go up to Donatelli’s Gym and become a champion boxer. Brooks goes through a lot of training in order to become a hardcore boxer. He wakes up every morning and goes for a long run. Then after his job, he goes and works out at the gym. After a while of training, Alfred quits but then he joins the gym again and this time he got to be a real boxer. While training in the gym, Alfred makes a lot of new friends, Mr. Vito Donatelli, Henry Johnson, Bill Witherspoon (Spoon), Dr.Corey, Horace Marshall Davenport, Jr. (Jelly Belly), Angel, Jose, and Bud Martin. Brooks also has some inspiration from his boss, Lou Epstein, who once was a fighter called “Lightning Lou Epp”.
This amazing novel was a definite inspiration and this book will be loved by all you realistic fiction lovers out there. I would personally rate this book as a nine on a scale of one to ten. I think this will be most suitable for boys ages 10-18 and I am sure a couple girls like me will enjoy this book too.
Annet Kuruvilla
Grade 8
Woodland Middle School

YELLOW FLAG is one of many of Robert Lipsyte’s successful novels. It focuses on something all teenagers can identify with making choices. The main character, Kyle is forced to put on the helmet and race in place of his brother Kris, who is injured after a win by a spiteful runner up. Coming from a family rich in racing history, Kyle, the quiet trumpet player, is forced to chose between his quintet, the girl of his dreams, the gig of his life, and between following in his family’s footsteps, and another girl of his dreams. The story continues when Kris doesn’t recover in time to race, so Kyle chooses to race for the #12 team instead of practice for the quintet, which he feels he is more out of place there. After gaining his family a major sponsor, he is asked to join the team as a second car on the circuit, #12A. With this offer on the table, he needs to decide where his final loyalties lie, with his family, or with his band.

I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR TEENAGE GUYS AND ANYONE WHO ENJOYS RACING. FOR ME, THE BOOK READ FAST AND IT WAS HARD TO PUT DOWN AFTER THE FIRST FEW CHAPTERS. THE AGE GROUP I BELIEVE WOULD ENJOY THE BOOK THE MOST ARE GUYS (OR GIRLS) RANGING FROM THE EIGHTH GRADE TO THE TENTH GRADE.
Andrew Scarpitta
Chaminade High School
12th grade

Have you been turned away from your dream because of what you are? How do feel in that situation? What will you do next? Just ask Danny Walker from TRAVEL TEAM by Mike Lupica.
Danny Walker is a basketball phenomenon when it comes to passing the ball. In the 7th grade basketball tryouts, he didn’t make it. The reason why was unfair, he was too small. The same thing happened to other kids who were small. This was a huge obstacle in Danny’s dream of being like his dad, Richie Walker. Richie is an amazing point guard that led his 12 year old team to the finals of the nationals in the past. Unluckily, Richie was in a car accident that affected his life and his family’s life enormously.
Now Richie Walker is making a comeback from his hiding by creating an official basketball team of players who didn’t make it to the 7th grade tryouts. Will the basketball team win against other teams? Will Danny repair bonds with his father? Will Danny follow his dream?
I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK TO STUDENTS IN MIDDLE SCHOOL WHO LIKE SPORTS.
Siddesh Ramesh
Grade 7
W.T Clarke Middle School