Me & the Geezer

by Ron Carter

His first summer in California looks bleak for Joe Russell, as he endures his father's lectures and finds himself stuck playing Pony league baseball with a group of misfits that is a far cry from the championship team he played with last year

176 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 1996

About the author

Ron Carter (1932-2008) was born in Salt Lake City and reared in Twin Falls, Idaho. He served received a bachelor’s degree in industrial management from Brigham Young University. He received a juris doctor degree in 1962 after attending the law schools at George Washington University and the University of Utah. Recently he has been a research and writing director for the Superior Court system of Los Angeles County, California. He published his first work in 1988.

Ron is married to LaRae Dunn Carter of Boise, Idaho, and they are the parents of nine children. The family resides in Park City, Utah.

Reviews

[4rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, the main character is Me, or Joe Russel. (He is called that from an early experience.) He is about 13, and loves baseball. He has moved to the California Suburbs, and tries out for the Little League baseball team. The Geezer is his father, and he is called that from an early childhood experience. Their is also his team, a straggly bunch of left overs from tryouts. (The coach was gone so he couldn't pick.)

This book is a book of perspective. It doesn't necessarily make it completely clear what the main character wants. But here is what I thought. Joe, of course wants his team to win, but at the same time wants the Geezer to stop lecturing him for once. The Geezer is a protagonist, as he is always helping Joe with baseball, but doesn't (at first) realize that he is also the antagonist. Just once, Joe wants the Geezer to congradulate him after a game instead of him telling him what he should have done differently.

As I said, the team is a scraggly bunch of, well, misfits. this is definately one of the things in the way of a championship. The Geezer is always lecturing him, which doesn't help either. It all depends on what the reader sees, because it shows to perspectives of kids and adults, and relates to every day life.

To deal with all of this, Joe does one thing, practice. He takes the team before practice and helps them. And, believe it or not they are champions. He stands up to his dad who realizes and hopes for forgiveness. This is a wonderful book and it really relates to every day life of a boy and his team


IIIII llllOOOOVVVVEEEE TTTHHHIIIsss BBBBBOOOOOKKKKK!!!!!!! I also love my grandpa, Ron Carter. LLLOOoOVVVeeeE YyyOOUU GGRRAANNDDPPAA!!!

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so delightful! I was fortunate enough to find it several years ago in a local library. It was fun for me to read because I know some of the people the book is about, but the stories are just hilarious and it's great to learn how the baseball team came together. Ron Carter was a master storyteller. If you can find a copy of this book, read it!

[Janeece · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read with laugh out loud humor. Excellent for both parents with kids and kids with parents - a point of view and perspective for both sides.

[Christian · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so good it makes me want to play on a baseball team again.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for Tween or Teen boys who love baseball. Great voice-enjoyed the variety of characters.