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374th out of 611 books
—
2,644 voters
Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs (Shakespeare Bats Cleanup #2)
by
Ron Koertge
Fielding his social life is a bigger challenge for Kevin than hitting a fastball in Ron Koertge’s funny, insightful sequel to SHAKESPEARE BATS CLEANUP.
Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has a passion for playing baseball, a
knack for writing poetry — and a cute girlfriend named Mira who’s not much interested in either. But then, Kevin doesn’t exactly share Mira’s newfound fervo...more
Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has a passion for playing baseball, a
knack for writing poetry — and a cute girlfriend named Mira who’s not much interested in either. But then, Kevin doesn’t exactly share Mira’s newfound fervo...more
Hardcover, 176 pages
Published
March 9th 2010
by Candlewick Press
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This book is a sequel to "Shakespeare Bats Cleanup". While I haven't read that book, I might sometime in the future.
"Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs" is written in the perspective from Kevin's diary - which he uses to write down his feelings, most often in the forms of poems.
Kevin is very good at two things - baseball and writing. He has a girlfriend (Mira) but meets another girl at a poetry-sharing event (Amy) - and then the conflict ensues. Kevin struggles with his feelings for both girls, alon...more
"Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs" is written in the perspective from Kevin's diary - which he uses to write down his feelings, most often in the forms of poems.
Kevin is very good at two things - baseball and writing. He has a girlfriend (Mira) but meets another girl at a poetry-sharing event (Amy) - and then the conflict ensues. Kevin struggles with his feelings for both girls, alon...more
I'd give this three and a half stars if I could. I love, love, love Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. Here is my main complaint with the sequel: when does it take place? Becuase Kevin is in 8th grade in the first book, and it's June by the end of the book. And Kevin is in 8th grade in this one, while school is in session. My other complaint is that Mira seems to have gotten a pretty big personality change in between the two books. The whole reason Kevin is interested in her is that she notices him writi...more
"I like Amy already, if she can write
a sestina, I'm gonna love her madly.
Admire her, I mean. I'll admire her
madly." - Kevin Boland
Since his bout with mono, Kevin Boland's life has been more or less back to normal. Now Kevin's dad has given him a new journal, so Kevin's decided to mess around with poetry again. He's not sick anymore, he has plenty of other things to do, but writing poetry fills a need for Kevin - it gives him an outlet for whatever is percolating inside his mind. For the most par...more
a sestina, I'm gonna love her madly.
Admire her, I mean. I'll admire her
madly." - Kevin Boland
Since his bout with mono, Kevin Boland's life has been more or less back to normal. Now Kevin's dad has given him a new journal, so Kevin's decided to mess around with poetry again. He's not sick anymore, he has plenty of other things to do, but writing poetry fills a need for Kevin - it gives him an outlet for whatever is percolating inside his mind. For the most par...more
Koertge, R. (2010). Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs. Massachusetts: Candle Wick Press.
Gr. 7-12. Kevin is nicknamed Shakespeare because he likes to write poetry, but this doesn’t stop him from playing baseball. And Kevin has a problem: he has a girlfriend, but he doesn’t have much in common with her, and he likes a girl who loves poetry as much as he does. He wants to break up with his girlfriend, but can’t find the words, even though words are something he is good at.
Curriculum: This would be a...more
Gr. 7-12. Kevin is nicknamed Shakespeare because he likes to write poetry, but this doesn’t stop him from playing baseball. And Kevin has a problem: he has a girlfriend, but he doesn’t have much in common with her, and he likes a girl who loves poetry as much as he does. He wants to break up with his girlfriend, but can’t find the words, even though words are something he is good at.
Curriculum: This would be a...more
This is a fun sequel to Koertge's earlier _Shakespeare Bats Cleanup_, and the format remains essentially the same: Kevin lives with his father (mother deceased), lives for baseball, and also writes poetry. The book tells a good story about Kevin's relationships with his current girlfriend, as well as his growing interest in a girl who shares his love for poetry, but as with the first book, the format is more interesting than than the story, at least for me. Kevin writes his story in a variety of...more
About the Books: 14-year-old Kevin is stuck at home with Mono, which means he's not allowed to play any baseball. To pass the time, he starts to write. First he writes so it looks like poetry, then he begins to take an interest in poetry and explores different types of poems. He writes about his mom's death, baseball, and life in middle school. He also meets Mira, a new girl in school that makes him not want to hide the fact that he's a writer.
In Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs, Kevin is back. H...more
In Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs, Kevin is back. H...more
In this sequel (which stands alone just fine) to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup Kevin is still dating Mira and playing baseball and more importantly he continues to write different styles of poems all the while educating the reader about the various styles and how they work. Dealing with the death of his mom, his dad beginning to date and waning feelings for Mira he has plenty to write in his new journal about. Enter Amy who Kevin meets at a poetry reading and who shares his passion. They become "poet...more
Jan 16, 2011
Paula Griffith
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
guys, baseball fans, and narrative poetry fans
Shelves:
guy-reads
In Koertge's Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs, the story of Kyle Boland from Shakespeare Bats Cleanup continues. In the first book, Kyle was learning about writing poetry, and we were learning about him--especially those of us who are not familiar with what it is to be a fourteen year old guy. In this book, another collection of narrative poems, we find out more about who Kyle really is and how he reacts to his father dating, being torn between two girls, and life with his baseball buddies. Again,...more
Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs is about a boy named Kevin, who plays baseball and writes poetry, so the kids on his team appropriately call him Shakespeare. Shakespeare has a girlfriend named Mira. She’s nice and pretty, but never comes to his baseball games and is never really interested in poetry. Then comes Amy, a girl he meets at a poetry reading at the library. She’s into baseball as well. Kevin is immediately attracted to Amy, though he still likes Mira. But does he really have time for gi...more
I loved the first book and this one didn't disappoint at all. I love the banter between Amy and Kevin throughout this book. It's interesting to see him realize that dating girls isn't all about good looks, but who you generally get along with and share interests with. Kevin finds himself through poetry and poetry leads him to Amy - a girl who understands and appreciates his poems.
I love the different types of poems in this book - reminding me of poetry lessons of my past and really how fantastic...more
I love the different types of poems in this book - reminding me of poetry lessons of my past and really how fantastic...more
Fourteen-year-old Kevin Boland has a passion for playing baseball, a knack for writing poetry — and a cute girlfriend named Mira who’s not much interested in either. But then, Kevin doesn’t exactly share Mira’s newfound fervor for all things green. So when Kevin signs up for open mike night at Bungalow Books and meets Amy, a girl who knows a sonnet from a sestina and can match his emails verse for verse, things start to get sticky. Should he stay with Mira? Or risk spoiling his friendship with A...more
The thing that I like most about this book (and the one before) is that, unlike all the other novels in verse that are popping up all over the place these days, this one actually teaches readers about the different forms of poetry. They can see that you don't have to like all kinds of poetry to enjoy (because Kevin doesn't like all the different forms he tries out). The plot of this one was slightly less interesting than the first, which seems a bit ridiculous to say since I think more happened...more
I truly enjoy these poetry format novels. They are an inventive and creative take on a traditional book. The format does nothing to take away from the story but rather it augments in the understanding of the main character Kevin and his love interest Amy. The poems are rich, funny, and engaging, and many of them could stand alone - particularly the "monster" poems. The story is relatable, and the author does not fall into sterotypes. He illustrates the fact that it is perfectly acceptable to be...more
This book is a really good book i liked it because i like baseball and there is drama like the drama in this book in like all schools.The book is about A boy Roy and he loves baseball and he plays on a baseball team. but when school gets in the way of his baseball games and he gets in to trouble with girls the less he plays.At the start of the book he has a girl friend and after 3 weeks of dating he dumps her for another chick and he thinks its okay to do that.But what he soon finds out is that...more
Kevin is dating Mira who doesn't understand his love for poetry or sports. She cares about the environment and he doesn't really. So, when Kevin finds a poetry friend from a poetry reading, he begins a platonic relationship with someone who "gets him". Not only is the book entertaining as Kevin decides between his girl friend and new friend, but he's dealing with the death of his mother and his father dating again. Through the novel-in-verse/poetry story, teachers can use this as a way to teach...more
Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs was another book I picked up for my LIS class this semester. I didn't realize it at the time, but it is a sequel to one of Ron Koertge's earlier books, Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. But, luckily, it isn't necessary to read one before the other as Shakespeare Makes the Playoffs reads very fluidly as a stand-alone book.
The first thing you need to know is that the story is written in verse, meaning it's all in poetry. While that's not a problem for me, some people might b...more
The first thing you need to know is that the story is written in verse, meaning it's all in poetry. While that's not a problem for me, some people might b...more
I have, up until now, summarily dismissed all novels in verse. Then someone pitched this book as a good sports book to booktalk for middle school boys. But the thing is, it was really good! It's about Kevin, a junior high boy who plays first base. He's got a girlfriend, Mira, and they're always kissing, but then he meets this other girl, Amy, at a poetry reading and he starts thinking about her all the time. He keeps a journal - which he writes in verse - and the book is basically his poetry/jou...more
Kevin is a baseball player and poet with a girlfriend, Mira, who doesn't appreciate either of his interests. One night at an open mike night, Keven meets Amy, who is just as passionate about poetry as he is. Underlying Kevin's troubles are those of his father, who after losing his wife is just now beginning to get back on the dating scene.
To be honest, blank verse isn't really my thing, but I appreciate Kevin's portrayal of his trials and tribulations. The humor fits well, too.
To be honest, blank verse isn't really my thing, but I appreciate Kevin's portrayal of his trials and tribulations. The humor fits well, too.
I finished reading this book and i think this book would be good for people who like sports or writing and poetry. A boy named Kevin Boland is a baseball player and a writer. His dad says he is really good at writing and poetry, thats why his dad calls him Shakespeare. Kevin has a journal he writes in all of the time. Meanwhile Kevin's baseball team is headed to the playoffs. Read this book to find out if Kevin's team wins the playoff's and where he ends up with his writing and poetry.
Kevin uses different poetic forms to write in his notebook about his girlfriend Mira, baseball, and his father who is starting to date again after the death of his wife. Kevin meets Amy at an open mic reading and they start emailing poetry back and forth, "The Dracula Files,right? By Kevin Boland and Amy Gwynn. All monsters all the time!" Fun poems in forms I've never heard of, and a great story about sports and first love from an eighth grade boy.
The sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup was written for all those who wanted to know what happened:-) Great book, a little thicker than the first but same style as the first and good for relucant readers as well as those who just love to mix baseball with poetry. I had kids fighting over who was going to borrow the first one today so this can't join my classroom library til I can give enough time for a few people to read the original story.
I did not read the first installment of this series, but I don't think it is necessary (though, I want to!). Kevin loves baseball and poetry. He has a cute girlfriend named Mira, but they seem to have lost their connection. They don't have the same things in common anymore. Kevin meets Amy, a fellow poetry-lover, and gets a little...distracted. This novel in verse navigates the tricky waters that are middle school and romance with sensitivity and charm. Love of poetry is not a requirement becaus...more
My 13 year old had to read this for English so I read it too. It is a quick easy read (except for a few words I had to look up). I don't love poetry, mostly because I don't get it. This book is written all in poetry and teaches a lot of different types of poems in a fun way. I thought it was fun and the imagery was great. I have some objections to the story...he is just too young for all that. But overall fun.
This was an enjoyable book - the sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup. It pretty much centered around how Kevin was attempting to choose between his current girlfriend, Mira, and this girl who writes poetry, Amy, who he met at an open mike reading. With some baseball games and poems in between. Really not such a bad book, although it was a little slow at some points. I enjoyed how the book was written in poems.
I am partial to books where baseball is part of the story. Baseball and Shakespeare - extra bonus. This is told in poetry style - it is the secret diary of a middle school baseball player, who also loves poetry, is discovering girls, coping with the loss of his mother and his father's grief. I enjoyed the simplicity and the descriptions of the poetry forms that were as much a part of the story as the content.
A fourteen year old boy shares his life (dad's dating though mom just died a year ago; he wants to break up with his girlfriend; he's met a new girl who LOVES poetry too, but has a boyfriend; he and his team are in the playoffs!)... and it's all told in poetry!
It's the sequel, but it stands alone well. I even learned new types of poems! I think my kids could understand poetry better with this book.
It's the sequel, but it stands alone well. I even learned new types of poems! I think my kids could understand poetry better with this book.
Realistic fiction, verse novel, poetry, first love.
First, I didn't think the verse was quality verse. It seemed like the verse was forced and should have been written in paragraphs instead. The poems couldn't stand alone either.
I enjoyed that the main character, Kevin, is a poet and writer. He has a girl friend but is attracted to another girl who also is a poet.
First, I didn't think the verse was quality verse. It seemed like the verse was forced and should have been written in paragraphs instead. The poems couldn't stand alone either.
I enjoyed that the main character, Kevin, is a poet and writer. He has a girl friend but is attracted to another girl who also is a poet.
Jul 10, 2010
Marly Natherson
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Shelves:
borrowed-from-library,
young-adult-fiction
Ron Koertge makes me want to write poetry! I read this book in about two hours one night before bed. It actually put me in a good mood. I would love to use this book to show some of my more reluctant poets in my classroom, especially the males, that they can write poetry about anything and everything in lots of different ways. If you haven't read this one, pick it up when you have an extra hour or two.
I think would need to be more into poetry or at least know more about the structure of poetry to enjoy this books. Don't know enough about it to make have a strong opinion. Have to admit I don't get how free verse really is poetry. Story is told 100% through poetry which may or may not be a good thing depending on how much you are into poetry.
first few chapters were good! I really enjoyed the use of free verse and i loved how I still understood the concept of the story. Its also great because poetry and baseball are two of my favorite things and this books involves both. the poems are quick and concise but they all seem to flow together into one underlieing story. so far so good!
Review #3.
Finished the book over the weekend. I cant say that I was falling off the edge of my chair while reading, but it was still a somewhat good book. I...more
Review #3.
Finished the book over the weekend. I cant say that I was falling off the edge of my chair while reading, but it was still a somewhat good book. I...more
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Ask Ron Koertge what he brings to the realm of young adult fiction, and the seasoned author responds matter-of-factly. "I write dialogue well, and I'm funny," he says--an assessment few would argue with. "I like iconoclasm and practice it in my fiction. I don't like pretense or hypocrisy. I'm almost always irreverent."
A faculty member for more than 35 years at Pasadena City College, where he has...more
More about Ron Koertge...
A faculty member for more than 35 years at Pasadena City College, where he has...more
Jul 12, 2011 07:30am