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152nd out of 265 books
—
86 voters
Choosing Up Sides
by
John H. Ritter (Goodreads Author)
When preacher's boy Luke Bledsoe steps on a baseball field, he discovers he has real pitching talent. For once, he can be proud of being left-handed. But Reverend Bledsoe believes that the left side is the side of Satan and the baseball field is the Devil's playground. Luke has spent his whole life trying to please his father. Will he choose to give up the game he's come t...more
Paperback, 176 pages
Published
April 1st 2000
by Puffin
(first published April 13th 1998)
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Absolutely great book! I was completely surprised. I started to read it to get it off my shelf, prepared to put it down when I was swept away in a marvelous story about a boy courageously and morally trying to make sense out of the spiritual abuse he is suffering. The main character was so believable and true to life. The story is not just another sports book, in fact very little to do with sports, but a deep dive into characters, motivation, and trying to find your way in life. It will stay wit...more
Sports Book
Luke, a 13 year-old boy who just moved to a new town in 1921, had a secret, a talent, and a crush throughout the story. His father is a non-apologetic preacher who forbids sports and believes that his son should memorize Biblical verses daily. Luke’s father also believes that anyone who uses his left hand as his dominant hand is doing devil’s work. Luke gets a complex over using his left hand and often feels shame and guilt. Luke is trapped between two worlds; wanting to be a good chu...more
Luke, a 13 year-old boy who just moved to a new town in 1921, had a secret, a talent, and a crush throughout the story. His father is a non-apologetic preacher who forbids sports and believes that his son should memorize Biblical verses daily. Luke’s father also believes that anyone who uses his left hand as his dominant hand is doing devil’s work. Luke gets a complex over using his left hand and often feels shame and guilt. Luke is trapped between two worlds; wanting to be a good chu...more
I found this book in the Teen section of our library and thought the cover was very interesting. I'm so glad I picked it up because it's a great read. Luke comes from a time and background that frowns on anyone who is left handed. Considered evil, Luke's father forces him to use his right hand and won't let his family have anything to do with sports. The problem is, Luke IS left handed and he's found out he's finding baseball not only fun to watch, but he's a natural pitcher. Forced to decide wh...more
The story choosing up sides by John H.Ritter was focused on a character named luke bledsoe.It was based in times where everything was more traditional.Luke was the son of a preacher and he always felt like an outsider all throughtout his life. By grace , he stepped onto a baseball field and he discovered that he could picth. From there on fourth he got into the sport of baseball and after much practice ,he was a great left handed picther.Although his interest in the sport was nice, it created co...more
this book is ok,its just mainly on how the kids dad is a crazy/control freak/preacher who thinks that people that r left handed r the 'devils kids' instead of 'gods kids'. The bad prt is that his kid is lefthanded, so the dad has been trying to make him right handed,even if it means breaking his left hand, which eventually he does, with the belt. Oh and the kid cant also play baseball even tough he has a really good hand,the left one that is. So towards the end the dad falls into a river after f...more
May 14, 2009
Christine Kloss
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
jessica-s-class
Best Books for Young Adults: Sports
This is a story set back in the 1920's about a boy named Luke Bledsoe who is the son of a preacher. His father is very strict who doesn't believe that it is acceptable to write with your left hand, a sin to dance and play sports. They move around a lot and the Bledsoe family finds themselves in a small southern Ohio town by the Ohio River. The family is reacquainted with Luke's Uncle Micah who is viewed as the sinner of all sinner with his parents. Uncle Micah...more
This is a story set back in the 1920's about a boy named Luke Bledsoe who is the son of a preacher. His father is very strict who doesn't believe that it is acceptable to write with your left hand, a sin to dance and play sports. They move around a lot and the Bledsoe family finds themselves in a small southern Ohio town by the Ohio River. The family is reacquainted with Luke's Uncle Micah who is viewed as the sinner of all sinner with his parents. Uncle Micah...more
Nov 16, 2008
Caroline
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
Anyone remotely interested in religion
Recommended to Caroline by:
My sister
I quite enjoy reading books about religion conflicting with lives, and this book was no exception. Through quality writing and a vivid voice, Ritter explores the real meaning of prejudice, and what it does to us. Luke, the protagonist, is 13 and has just moved to Ohio with his mother, father, (who is an extremely devout Baptist preacher) and sister. Luke and his father don't exactly get along, even though Baptists aren't allowed to fight-Luke is left-handed, which is the "Devil's hand". What's m...more
I read this book a long time ago, but I remember loving it because I am left-handed. My father was left-handed too, but he grew up in a time when they looked down on southpaws. This is a great book not just about baseball (though I'm not a fan) but being yourself. Great for tweens, teens, and older.
It is an interesting book. Even for someone that is not in to sports. It will make you laugh and even groan at some parts, but this book is one that should really be in a young readers collection. It has segregation, old school religious values, and just topics that are not really covered today.
It is called its title because Luke has to decide whether he wants to be Christian, or on the "Devils Side." I do not like how this book is all Christian.
The struggles of a "sinister" boy who is left-handed. Very intriguing storyline... Very excellent book.
I thought the book was a good book but there was an excessive amount of fighting over one topic throughout the book.
Great story about the discrimination of left-handed people in the 1900s.
It was OK very intresting story though and an unpredictable ending.
Jun 25, 2009
Diana
rated it
4 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommended to Diana by:
Kaleb--thanks!
Shelves:
summer-2009,
favorites
Such a good book! It almost made me cry. It totally sucked me in to the time period and Luke's life...and then, when I thought I had the ending all figured out, it actually surprised. Sad, but fun and funny at times as well. A great thinker book but also good for children. I say yay for this book!
Religious superstition and a boy's drive to use his gifts combine in a blow-me-away ending I'll never forget. Highly recommended, quick read.
This ending is so bad! if i could rate with negative stars, i'd give this book a negative three.
So frustratingly fabulous. The ending left my mouth hanging open.
I'd recommend this book to anyone. It was amazing.
Great story! Good read aloud with boys!
didn't like i expected.
May 09, 2013
Molly
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Novelist John H. Ritter (born October 31, 1951, in San Pedro, California) grew up in the summer-dry hills east of San Diego. "I grew up in a baseball family," says John. "But we were also a family of musicians and mathematicians, house painters and poets. My dad was a sports writer in Ashtabula, Ohio, who moved the family out west, just before I was born, to become Sports Editor for The San Diego...more
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Jul 25, 2011 03:10pm