All Star

by Jesse Lonergan

Winner
2015 ALA Great Graphic Novels for Teens


2015 YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
The Community of Literary Magazines and Presses, Firecracker Awards, Graphic Novel

As the summer of 1998 nears, Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa are racing each other to break the home-run record, Bill Clinton is being questioned about a certain Monica Lewinsky, Semisonic’s “Closing Time” is top of the charts, and Carl Carter is leading the Elizabeth Monarchs of rural Vermont to the state championship his senior year. The world is Carl’s a full scholarship to the University of Maine awaits, going pro after college isn’t out of the question, and he’s so good he can do whatever he wants—until, that is, he makes one very arrogant mistake. Acclaimed graphic novelist Jesse Lonergan offers readers a thought-provoking exploration of the fleeting highs of success in this engrossing book.

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Sports, Young Adult, Baseball, High School, Friendship

176 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

I grew up in Saudi Arabia and Vermont, attended Hampshire College, was a Peace Corps volunteer, and have always been an only child. I'll never be a real uncle, but I'll be a pretend to be one to my friends' children. I like Star Wars, Elvis, and black coffee. I don't like waiting in line, whistling, or writing biographies about myself. I'm worried about the state of modern America and the individualism and self-importance that has become the norm. There seems to be a lot of loneliness out there and a lot of anger too, but then again, maybe I just like to worry.

Reviews

[Raina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really loved Lonergan's work in Joe & Azat. And I admire that the three graphic novels I've read that he's written are all so distinctly different. He's tackled romance, travel/ex-pat life, and now, teen coming of age/sports. He writes accessible stories that feel real, using easy-to-follow panel layouts and comfortable dialog.

This is a story about the pressures of being a high-achieving athlete in high school. Carl is a rock star, as far as high school sports goes. He's getting a scholarship, and the team lives or dies by his success.
Around the edges, he's got a best friend from the wrong side of the tracks, an older brother with jealousy issues, and a complex about his success. After a few destructive choices, his path gets rocky.

For anyone who cares: some rough language, teen drinking, some sexual content, and some violence.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was trying to figure out why this GN was in the adult GN section of the library when I read the description and looked at the cover. After about 5 pages in, I had no doubt why it was in the adult section. This is a story about a teen who plays for the high school baseball team and he is the star player. He's cocky and doesn't listen to the adults in his life. The decision to not listen and hang out with some less than savory friends has consequences that open his eyes to the unfair way that his All Star status allows him to be treated. The GN has a good message but I think it gets lost in the foul language and haphazard storyline.

[Rick Ray · Rating 2 out of 5]

A rather bland comic about a cocky student athlete who comes to terms with his own privilege over time. The story was somewhat preachy in its execution, almost like an episode from a children's show where a lesson needs to be learned. Knowing how innovative of an artist Jesse Lonergan can be, the artwork felt particularly like a letdown given how conventional it looked. The lack of visual flair and rather uninteresting story makes this a pretty forgettable read.

[Juniper Lee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow, this was not great.

All star highschool baseball player makes stupid teenage decisions, and get his friend expelled from school. Baseball star has privilege, but his friend does not. The friend doesn’t graduate, and doesn’t remain friends with baseball star. Baseball star finishes high school and starts the rest of his life alone.

Pretty depressing, not a compelling storyline, not great characters.

[Angela · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this just wasn't for me. The objectifying way the guys talked about girls just didn't sit well, and to be honest I didn't do a great job of following what happened in the final illustrations and I'm not sure if that's my fault or the illustrations. Not sure if he struck out on purpose or what?

[Holliferous · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well, it was not terrible, but also not good. A snapshot of a shitty jock getting knocked down a peg for being shitty, then dealing with the repercussions that are less his than those around him. Blech. Read this if you want to be bored and disappointed.

[Nathan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rather sad, but shows high school pretty well.

[devin · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of an empty story. Seemed more like a vignette into this town than a full narrative. Great use of black and white minimalist art work.

[Ben Vazquez]

it was a good ending when the game was over everyone had good sportsman ship and it was nice. i deftnly want to read another

[Adam Witt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I saw a lot in this. The twists hit, the character development is solid, and Lonergan's art is kinetic enough to render "kinetic" too boring and simple a word for the quality.

[M.i. · Rating 4 out of 5]

The choice of art and how the story is depicted makes for a perfect pairing. The story itself is familiar, the telling is not.

Great work.

[Madi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really liked the artwork, the realistic characters and the relationships with other characters.

The story made me mad!

The main character is the "golden boy" of the school because he can hit home runs and they're hoping he can take the team to state. What he is is a little turd! He's rude to his brother, he's rude to his classmates, and he seems like he just wants everything handed to him.

He and his best friend get in trouble. He's given detention (because of the responsibilities he has to the baseball team, and to school) while his friend is expelled, even though they both did the exact same thing.

Having this privileged main character go through all of these things and nothing happen to him. He tries to quit the team, but even then he is pressured to join again.

The ending made me mad, but is befitting of a crappy, entitled main character.

[Aleap · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2.5

It's Carl's senior year and as the star baseball player on his high school team, he can get just about anything he wants. This all changes when, on a night out with his troublemaker friend, he decides to trespass in a closed convenient store and is caught. Although he ultimately gets away with it, things aren't the same with his friends, his team, or his family.

This was realistic and had a nice selection of cultural references sprinkled throughout. However, the story was somewhat rushed and lacked natural-feeling transitions in certain places. The artwork was also somewhat confusing at times, with a few related characters looking too identical to tell which was which at a glance.

[Emilia P · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Jesse Lonergan. I met him once. He was cool! So I wish him only the best. But this foray into Teen Drama is just a little shaky visually and narratively, and the characters feel a bit broad-brushed even though they make some surprising and interesting choices. I appreciate Lonergan taking on the genre and making it his own, but I think perhaps he should have taken it a couple of steps further into his own world, because as it stands it feels sort of Safe and Dry. Ah well, nonetheless, I found it an enjoyable read in the moment, and look forward to future work and voice-finding from J.L.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Carl is one of the best baseball players in the state with a full ride scholarship waiting for him. Will his one stupid mistake jeopardize the playoffs and his chance to go pro?

Lonergan's graphic novel hits all the right notes about small town sports and the mischief that the teens get into. Carl's changing friendship with his best friend is believable, as is his relationship with his parents and his coach. This book should appeal to the sports-loving teens who may not like traditional books and may be more inclined to pick up a graphic novel. It's a great coming-of-age tale that teens will find relatable.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite having a pretty good message, this was nothing special. After he attempts to rob the local convenience store, Carl realizes what it means to be his town's golden boy---both in terms of privileges (earned and unearned) and in terms of expectations. I think my favorite part of the book was Lonergan's illustrations of the weight that Carl felt riding on his back, depicted through a cloud of the faces of all the characters with expectations for him. That was a pretty powerful visual for me, but otherwise I wasn't blown away by the illustrations, which are really angular and stylized.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at how sports can effect a high schoolers life. I loved that the book was set during my own high school years. The story is more about Carl Carter and him growing up at the end of high school. He grew from just a partier to a kid that could see what was wrong with the way the world treated him. He didn't have a perfect family. He didn't have great friends. Carl could hit the ball. He could hit it hard, but was that enough? Some might say it is.

[Derek Royal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this book. It's a bittersweet look at a high school athlete in the last days before graduation and the "privileged" life he's led because of his athletic prowess. I love the story's realism, and Lonergan handles the sports theme very well. It's been a long time since I've taught a sports lit class, but this would be a book I could definitely teach in that class.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

via NYPL - Good book. Carl is a high school senior, star of the baseball team, and on a sports scholarship to college. When his best friend and he get into trouble, Carl begins an awakening to the privileges of his life and how others will never be treated as well as he is. The art is minimal, but effective, and the characters come to life on each page. Definitely worth a look.

[Carrie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the story of a baseball all star who makes a bad choice that changes his outlook and relationships, but the sketchy artwork didn't stand out and confused the story at times.

[First Second Books]

Just finished All-Star by Jesse Lonergan which I really loved.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, that was depressing.

[Ann]

Top Ten Sports Books for Youth 2014 (Booklist)

[Rikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad, but SO realistic of small towns. Spot. On.

[Mark Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

Predictable baseball graphic novel. Meh.

[Vi · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good story, and the artwork is great. A bit sparse for me.

[Rod Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would have made for a decent After School Special. Egotistic kid makes dumb choices and reluctantly learns lessons about life, the class system and brotherhood.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Coming of age story about a high school athlete (baseball player) who's trying to find his place in his small town. Poignant and bittersweet (or maybe just bitter).