(April, 2002) News Flash! Over the Wall has just been nominated for the 2002-2003 Nebraska Golden Sower Young Adult Book Award! The Golden Sower Award is Nebraska's children's book award selected by students up to grade nine. Go Big Red!
Over the Wall is the modern day story of an angry, self-centered California boy who comes to New York City hoping to make a big name for himself in the baseball world; but, instead, he does something that touches the lives of millions of people, including his coach and his father, who were both deeply affected by the Vietnam War.
Over the Wall is available on-line and in bookstores! You can order your own copy of Over the Wall (audiotape also available) here for immediate delivery!
Links to sample chapters from Over the Wall are posted at the bottom of this page.
(April, 2002) News Flash!
Over the Wall has just been nominated for the 2002-2003
Nebraska Golden Sower Young Adult Book Award! The Golden Sower
Award is Nebraska's children's book award selected by students up
to grade nine. Go Big Red!
(June 25, 2001) News Flash! Over the Wall has just been nominated for the Keystone State Young Adult Book Award for 2001-2002. John salutes the state whose ball teams gave him two boyhood heroes, Richie Ashburn and Roberto Clemente! Read on, Pennsylvania!
Over the Wall is a powerful story of one boy's journey to reconnect with his father and discover himself along the way. Find out more about Over The Wall; see for yourself how good it is! We have the first four chapters available for you to preview here at the John H. Ritter official Web site. Click here to visit the Over The Wall page where you can enjoy all the preview chapters, read more reviews, get in on the message board discussion (and write your own review!), or order Over the Wall on-line right now!
From: Dr. Martha Magner, A.MacArthur Barr Middle School, Nanuet, NY
Dear John,
I finished Over the Wall and enjoyed it every bit as much as Choosing Up Sides if not more.
What really intrigues me is the way you weave the more intricate
plot into the baseball background. I'm sure our young readers will be
able
to place themselves in the decisive situations that you describe and grow
and benefit from the maturity of the final decisions. You surprised me
toward the end with the metaphoric use of the baseball term "over the wall."
It also raised a lot of emotion within me, since one of my dearest and
most
influential friends was a veteran of Vietnam.
Please keep writing books that are so good for kids!
Thanks,
Martha
From Dr. Teri S. Lesesne, Associate Professor, Dept. of Library Science, Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
John:
Guess how I spent Christmas Eve (well, when we were not at midnight mass,
that is)? Over The Wall is phenomenal. You know you had a tough act to
follow what with all of the accolades for Choosing Up Sides. Some
authors find it tough to get over that hurdle, but not you. The book was
a pleasure to read. The characters are so well developed, even the minor
ones (though I am not sure there is a minor character in the story). Of
course, this book is near and dear to me since I lost some classmates
during Vietnam.
Congratulations on another fine book. I appreciate being one of the few
to read it this far ahead of time. Rest assured I will be talking about it
in my book talks and classes. WOW!
teri
From: Patricia Ladd, Sixth Grade Teacher, San Diego, CA
Dear John:
I want you to know that I'm just beginning my Christmas shopping this
morning, and it's your fault that I didn't begin over the weekend! You
see, I started reading Over the Wall Friday evening and I just finished
it last night. I don't have the time right now to articulate my
thoughts clearly to you about this powerful piece, but WOW!! You are
truly a gifted and inspirational writer! Again, your storytelling
skills, interwoven with thought provoking dilemmas with ethical
overtones, are truly appreciated by me. This book has the potential to
touch the hearts of any reader, especially young adolescents who are in
the throes of "fitting in".
I'll be processing the multiple layers and messages of this book for
days to come, I can tell. I know Over the Wall can be used as a powerful
and healing message to not only "my kids" but many kids and adults. I've
understood for years that fear fueled hatred and other ugly feelings we
humans have towards one another. However, it wasn't until reading Over the Wall that you helped me to clearly understand the role that pride
plays as well.
Please understand that your first two novels have the power to
positively influence thousands of readers. Keep up the excellent
work!
Have a peaceful Holiday Season--Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Patty Ladd
From: Beverly Ann Chin, University of Montana, Dept of English, Missoula, MT and Member, Board of Directors, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards
John,
Thank you so much for sending me the galley edition of Over The Wall. I
read the book in one sitting and immediately shared the book with
teachers,
students, and friends. You've written a powerful story with
well-developed
characters, realistic dialogue, and strong plot. Congratulations on
another fantastic novel! Everywhere I go, I rave about your two
books--my
friends and colleagues are looking forward to meeting you in person!
I look forward to seeing you in New York City--and perhaps in San Diego.
Beverly Ann Chin
From: Helma Hawkins, Director of Youth Services, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, MO
Dear John,
Over the Wall is wonderful!! I started it on the flight back yesterday
and didn't want to stop reading and get off the plane!
I read more last night when I should have been doing laundry and I just
finished it today during lunch. You've done it again! I loved how many
meanings the title has. You deal with so many issues that are important
for today's kids--and, of course, they are issues that I think are
crucial. This is a book I will read again because I'm sure I missed much
on the first reading.
Thanks, again. I will certainly spread the word, among librarians as well
as kids. Don't know if I can wait until May.
Take care. Helma
Over the Wall is available on-line and in
bookstores!
You can order your own copy of Over the Wall here for immediate delivery!
Over the Wall is published by Philomel Books, a division of Penguin Putnam, New York.
© John H. Ritter, 2000 ISBN #0-399-23489-6.
Teaching Aids and Classroom Plans
John's public speaking schedule
Published Interviews with John
Go to the Choosing Up Sides page
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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
Lefty info