John's public speaking schedulePublished Interviews with John
Set during the early days of Prohibition in 1921, CHOOSING UP SIDES is a well-designed study of personal choice. Luke Bledsoe, a thirteen-year-old preacher's son finds himself torn between his allegiance to his father's belief that sports and left-handedness are sinful and his own newly discovered identity as a potentially great southpaw pitcher.
Unlike many sports novels, CHOOSING UP SIDES does more than offer a mere glimpse at the grand old game of baseball--it takes a deeper look at faith, truth, and individuality. The passion for the sport is gradually built up for readers as it comes to the main character, who knows absolutely nothing of the game or how it is played before his chance introduction.
The male characters in this novel, Ritter's first, become flesh and blood to the reader, memorable and true. Luke's father appears stern, cold, and unfeeling in his treatment of his family, but Luke does not condemn him. Rather, Luke is warmly understanding of his dad, even defending his father's harsh actions and religious beliefs with sensitivity and love. It is Luke's maturity in this regard, his refusal to play the victim, that makes the reader like him all the more.
Beginning with one of the best opening paragraphs in recent memory, CHOOSING UP SIDES winds effortlessly to its somewhat cliched climax. With its wide appeal, this first-person story is a recommended purchase for all public and school libraries.
--Dr. Stefani Koorey, VOYA, 12/98
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
Lefty info