Choosing Up Sides

by John H. Ritter

• Winner of the 1999 International Reading Association's "Children's Book Award."
• Named an American Library Association "Best Book for Young Adults."
• Named a 1999 "Blue Ribbon Book" by The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.
• Named an International Reading Association "Young Adult Readers Choice" for 2000.
• Named to the Children's Book Council's "Adult Crossover" list.

NEWS of Note! (June 23, 2002)
Choosing Up Sides makes the Adult Crossover list!
The Children's Book Council, a national trade association of publishers and packagers headquartered in New York City, has just named Choosing Up Sides to their Adult Crossover list. Called "Not Just for Children Anymore," these are specially designated books that the Council deems to be of value and interest to adults as well as young readers. Of course, this designation is no surprise to John. He reports that over half of his reading audience is comprised of adults. So kids, give your folks a book to read and see how they like it!

What the reviewers are saying about Choosing Up Sides:

• "A dramatic and inspirational story." (The Los Angeles Times)
• "Beginning with one of the best opening paragraphs in recent memory.... With its wide appeal, this first-person story is a recommended purchase for all public and school libraries." Dr. Stefani Koorey, VOYA, 12/98 (Full Review)
• "...the pure joy of baseball and...its redemptive power." Elizabeth Bush, The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, June, 1998 (Full Review)
• "Like the best...sports novels of Robert Lipsyte, Chris Crutcher, or Walter Dean Myers, this novel goes well beyond the issues involved in a game.... Authentic...suspenseful...excellent..." Dr. Marjorie M. Kaiser, The ALAN Review

Read an excerpt from the acclaimed Choosing Up Sides by John H. Ritter

If you'd like, you may order a copy of Choosing Up Sides.
Choosing Up Sides is published by Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Putnam, New York.
© John H. Ritter, 1998 ISBN #0-399-23185-4.

Teaching Aids and Classroom Plans John's public speaking schedule
Published Interviews with John

Go to the Choosing Up Sides page Order Choosing Up Sides
Go to the Over The Wall page Order Over the Wall
Go to The Boy Who Saved Baseball page Order The Boy Who Saved Baseball
Read an excerpt from Under the Baseball Moon Order Under the Baseball Moon
Baseball-related web sites Lefty info

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