Wednesday, February 4, 2009

Last Days of Summer

Last Days of Summer Last Days of Summer by Steve Kluger

Book 16 of 100 for the 100+ Reading Challenge

Alex Award Winner

rating: 2 of 5 stars

Maybe I just don't have the right sense of humor.  Or maybe I'm just not in the right mood.  Or maybe this isn't the right book for a snow day.  

Joey Margolis is a 12-year old Jewish kid, living in Brooklyn in the 1940s.  He loves the New York Giants and starts a correspondence with the 3rd baseman, Charles Banks, who eventually becomes a surrogate father for troubled Joey.  

I thought it was kind of cute and clever, but it just wasn't for me.  The whole book is told through newspaper clippings, letters, telegrams, report cards, psychiatrist interviews, etc. which is a nice change of pace from a regular read.  But, the crude language and humor just kind of turned me off.  It's unfortunate because I think it would have made a great YA novel, especially for boys, but instead it's on the adult shelves.  I also found the whole premise of the book a little unbelievable, so I'm sure that didn't help matters for me.

Others have loved it though, so check out these reviews:

3 comments:

Thoughts of Joy said...

Hey! Thanks for the link! :) I'm sorry you didn't enjoy this. I have been on your side of the fence more times than I'd like to admit (didn't care for a book when everybody else loved it), so I understand. That's just how it goes sometimes. I hope your next read is fabulous. :)

Anonymous said...

Too bad this one didn't work for you.

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

Sorry this book was not a hit for you (i have not read it). It did get me thinking though, about the fact I can only read "summer" titled/themed books --in the summer--weird huh?