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Soar
Newbery Honor winner Joan Bauer hits a home run with her newest protagonist, who always sees the positive side of any situation.
Jeremiah is not one to let anything keep him down. Starting with his adoption by computer genius Walt, Jeremiah has looked on his life as a series of lucky breaks. When a weak heart keeps him from playing his beloved baseball, Jeremiah appoints himself the team coach. When Walt has to move for another new assignment, Jeremiah sees it as a great chance to explore a new town. But no sooner do they arrive than a doping scandel is revealed and the town feels betrayed and disgraced. Jeremiah takes it as his personal mission to restore the town's morale and help the teams bounce back and remember how to soar. Full of humor, heart, and baseball lore, Soar is Joan Bauer at her best.
Jeremiah is not one to let anything keep him down. Starting with his adoption by computer genius Walt, Jeremiah has looked on his life as a series of lucky breaks. When a weak heart keeps him from playing his beloved baseball, Jeremiah appoints himself the team coach. When Walt has to move for another new assignment, Jeremiah sees it as a great chance to explore a new town. But no sooner do they arrive than a doping scandel is revealed and the town feels betrayed and disgraced. Jeremiah takes it as his personal mission to restore the town's morale and help the teams bounce back and remember how to soar. Full of humor, heart, and baseball lore, Soar is Joan Bauer at her best.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2016
191 people are currently reading
2176 people want to read
About the author
Joan Bauer
26 books886 followersFrom: http://www.joanbauer.com/jbbio.html
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
July 12, 1951 - I was born at eleven A.M., a most reasonable time, my mother often said, and when the nurse put me in my mother's arms for the first time I had both a nasty case of the hiccups and no discernible forehead (it's since grown in). I've always believed in comic entrances.
As I grew up in River Forest, Illinois, in the 1950's, I seem to remember an early fascination with things that were funny. I thought that people who could make other people laugh were terribly fortunate. While my friends made their career plans, declaring they would become doctors, nurses, and lawyers, inwardly I knew that I wanted to be involved somehow in comedy. This, however, was a difficult concept to get across in first grade. But I had a mother with a great comic sense (she was a high school English teacher) and a grandmother who had been a funny professional storyteller, so I figured the right genes were in there somewhere, although I didn't always laugh at what my friends laughed at and they rarely giggled at my jokes. That, and the fact that I was overweight and very tall, all made me feel quite different when I was growing up--a bit like a musk ox at a tea party.
My grandmother, who I called Nana, had the biggest influence on me creatively. She taught me the importance of stories and laughter. She never said, "Now I'm going to tell you a funny story," she'd just tell a story, and the humor would naturally flow from it because of who she was and how she and her characters saw the world. She showed me the difference between derisive laughter that hurts others and laughter that comes from the heart. She showed me, too, that stories help us understand ourselves at a deep level. She was a keen observer of people.
I kept a diary as a child, was always penning stories and poems. I played the flute heartily, taught myself the guitar, and wrote folk songs. For years I wanted to be a comedienne, then a comedy writer. I was a voracious reader, too, and can still remember the dark wood and the green leather chairs of the River Forest Public Library, can hear my shoes tapping on the stairs going down to the children's room, can feel my fingers sliding across rows and rows of books, looking through the card catalogs that seemed to house everything that anyone would ever need to know about in the entire world. My parents divorced when I was eight years old, and I was devastated at the loss of my father. I pull from that memory regularly as a writer. Every book I have written so far has dealt with complex father issues. My dad was an alcoholic and the pain of that was a shadow that followed me for years, but I've learned things from that experience that have made me resilient. I attempted to address those issues in Rules of the Road, and I took them even further in the companion book, Best Foot Forward. The theme that I try to carry into all of my writing is this: adversity, if we let it, will make us stronger.
In my twenties, I worked in sales and advertising for the Chicago Tribune, McGraw-Hill, WLS Radio, and Parade Magazine. I met my husband Evan, a computer engineer, while I was on vacation. Our courtship was simple. He asked me to dance; I said no. We got married five months later in August, 1981. But I was not happy in advertising sales, and I had a few ulcers to prove it. With Evan's loving support, I decided to try my hand at professional writing. I wish I could say that everything started falling into place, but it was a slow, slow build -- writing newspaper and magazine articles for not much money. My daughter Jean was born in July of '82. She had the soul of a writer even as a baby. I can remember sitting at my typewriter (I didn't have a computer back then) writing away with Jean on a blanket on the floor next to me. If my writing was bad that day, I'd tear that page out of the typewriter and hand it to her. "Bad paper," I'd say and Jean would r
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 578 reviews
July 1, 2018
I think it's theoretically impossible for me to not love anything that Joan Bauer writes, because I do love everything.
Jeremiah has had some tough obstacles in his life to overcome, but he's shown true courage in the face of adversity. When tragedy and scandal tears the high school baseball team apart and threatens to turn the town against the game they all loved and cheered for, Jeremiah steps in to put together a team at his middle school. He's the kind of kid you all want on your team, or in this case, coaching your team. Jeremiah can't play anymore or do any sports since his heart transplant. But that doesn't stop him from helping to keep the dream alive for others who want to play. Not only does he love the game more than anything else, he knows how to inspire everyone around him and get the very best from them. He teaches them how to play from their hearts, to give it their all, and to become like the eagles they are (their team name) and soar. I'm not a baseball fan at all, but Jeremiah's love and enthusiasm for the game almost made me want to go watch my local high school team play.
Jeremiah has had some tough obstacles in his life to overcome, but he's shown true courage in the face of adversity. When tragedy and scandal tears the high school baseball team apart and threatens to turn the town against the game they all loved and cheered for, Jeremiah steps in to put together a team at his middle school. He's the kind of kid you all want on your team, or in this case, coaching your team. Jeremiah can't play anymore or do any sports since his heart transplant. But that doesn't stop him from helping to keep the dream alive for others who want to play. Not only does he love the game more than anything else, he knows how to inspire everyone around him and get the very best from them. He teaches them how to play from their hearts, to give it their all, and to become like the eagles they are (their team name) and soar. I'm not a baseball fan at all, but Jeremiah's love and enthusiasm for the game almost made me want to go watch my local high school team play.
February 3, 2016
SOAR by Joan Bauer tells the powerful story of a heart transplant survivor who becomes an amazing baseball coach.
Although Jeremiah isn’t allowed to run because of his heart transplant, he hasn’t given up his baseball dreams. Instead, he decides to turn his middle school baseball team into champions. Along the way, he connects with a neighbor and brings a town alive.
Librarians will find this heart-warming story to be a great addition to the library’s realistic fiction collection. Books about sports are always popular with boys, but this title crosses boundaries and its likely to inspire a wide range of readers. The focus on coaching rather than playing baseball provides a unique perspective. The robotics, steroids, and adoption subplots provide a bonus that will appeal to some youth.
Keep in mind that this title also fits well with the growing number of books exploring ways youth are overcoming disabilities.
To learn more about the author, go to http://joanbauer.com/.
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
Although Jeremiah isn’t allowed to run because of his heart transplant, he hasn’t given up his baseball dreams. Instead, he decides to turn his middle school baseball team into champions. Along the way, he connects with a neighbor and brings a town alive.
Librarians will find this heart-warming story to be a great addition to the library’s realistic fiction collection. Books about sports are always popular with boys, but this title crosses boundaries and its likely to inspire a wide range of readers. The focus on coaching rather than playing baseball provides a unique perspective. The robotics, steroids, and adoption subplots provide a bonus that will appeal to some youth.
Keep in mind that this title also fits well with the growing number of books exploring ways youth are overcoming disabilities.
To learn more about the author, go to http://joanbauer.com/.
Published by Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin. ARC courtesy of the publisher.
February 24, 2017
Summary
Soar by Joan Bauer tells the powerful story of a heart transplant survivor who becomes an amazing baseball coach. It has page turning plots, well developed characters and lots of heartwarming humor.
Twelve year old Jeremiah is the world’s biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. So, when he’s told he can’t play baseball following a heart transplant operation, Jeremiah decides he’ll do the next best thing and become a coach.
Hillcrest, where Jeremiah and his father Walt have just moved, is a town known for its championship varsity baseball team. But, Jeremiah finds the town caught up in a scandal that involves steroid use and the death of a player. The town and Jeremiah’s school are about ready to give up on baseball. It is up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town – and the team – back in the game.
My Comments
It seems so fitting that I read this book in the wake of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series victory. The Cubs share so many good qualities with the Hillcrest Eagles – their hard work, youth, love of the game, their inspirational, never give up attitude, and playing with heart.
There are many themes in this book. Obviously baseball is one of them. Who doesn’t love baseball, the all-American pastime? For Jeremiah and the Hillcrest Eagles, baseball is not just about winning or losing. According to Jeremiah, baseball has the power to heal, inspire, and unite, players, the school, and even the community. However, any reader expecting a play-by-play account of the games, and lots of sports action won’t really find it here. The focus is on coaching and inspiring rather than just playing baseball, which gives the book its unique perspective.
The heart is another theme in this book – both literally and figuratively. Jeremiah is a heart transplant patient, and although the surgery was considered successful, there are many things he still cannot do. He calls his new heart Alice, and although Alice may be a bit weak physically Jeremiah’s heart is big and giving and all inclusive. Dealing with his weak heart has given him a strong-hearted spirit. Alice does not always run smoothly, and Jeremiah does have a few setbacks, but I love the hope provided in the last passage of the book where Jeremiah feels something new and strong breaking through – it is his heart, turning around and healing – all because of baseball.
Adoption is another major theme. Baby Jeremiah was found at Computer Partner Ltd. in the snack room by Walt Lopper a single computer geek who knew nothing about babies. Walt adopted Jeremiah; they are perfectly paired, and their relationship in this book is priceless. When Jeremiah apologizes to Walt about all his complicated issues, Walt replies, “I couldn’t be a good father to some run-of-the-mill, ordinary kid. I would drive them crazy. I work on complex systems, Jer.” (p83) Later in the book, we find that Jeremiah’s new cardiologist, and Walt’s love interest, Dr. Sarah was also adopted.
Robotics, and steroid use are additional themes in this book, but play a minor role.
Soar is a feel-good book in all respects. It reminds me of Wonder by Patricia Palacio. Jeremiah is a major character with a flaw who flourishes within a loving family relationship and brings out the best others who come in contact with him, both in baseball (Donald Mole- prounced mo-lay like the hot sauce) and personally. (Franny who suffers from feelings of abandonment after her father left the family 4 years ago.)
Soar is my first Joan Bauer book. I have never read any of her books before although I know that she is a very popular author. Based on the powerful themes and quality of writing in this book, I will go back and read some of her others.
Will there be a sequel? I hope so because there are still many issues that could be fleshed out such as Franny’s absent father, Jeremiah’s health issues, Dr. Sarah joining the family as Walt’s wife and Jer’s stepmom, and of course, what happens to the Hillcrest Eagles and baseball in general in Hillcrest, OH
Memorable quotes
I will never give up because I have too many cool things to do to waste time being negative.
.
Soar by Joan Bauer tells the powerful story of a heart transplant survivor who becomes an amazing baseball coach. It has page turning plots, well developed characters and lots of heartwarming humor.
Twelve year old Jeremiah is the world’s biggest baseball fan. He really loves baseball and he knows just about everything there is to know about his favorite sport. So, when he’s told he can’t play baseball following a heart transplant operation, Jeremiah decides he’ll do the next best thing and become a coach.
Hillcrest, where Jeremiah and his father Walt have just moved, is a town known for its championship varsity baseball team. But, Jeremiah finds the town caught up in a scandal that involves steroid use and the death of a player. The town and Jeremiah’s school are about ready to give up on baseball. It is up to Jeremiah and his can-do spirit to get the town – and the team – back in the game.
My Comments
It seems so fitting that I read this book in the wake of the Chicago Cubs 2016 World Series victory. The Cubs share so many good qualities with the Hillcrest Eagles – their hard work, youth, love of the game, their inspirational, never give up attitude, and playing with heart.
There are many themes in this book. Obviously baseball is one of them. Who doesn’t love baseball, the all-American pastime? For Jeremiah and the Hillcrest Eagles, baseball is not just about winning or losing. According to Jeremiah, baseball has the power to heal, inspire, and unite, players, the school, and even the community. However, any reader expecting a play-by-play account of the games, and lots of sports action won’t really find it here. The focus is on coaching and inspiring rather than just playing baseball, which gives the book its unique perspective.
The heart is another theme in this book – both literally and figuratively. Jeremiah is a heart transplant patient, and although the surgery was considered successful, there are many things he still cannot do. He calls his new heart Alice, and although Alice may be a bit weak physically Jeremiah’s heart is big and giving and all inclusive. Dealing with his weak heart has given him a strong-hearted spirit. Alice does not always run smoothly, and Jeremiah does have a few setbacks, but I love the hope provided in the last passage of the book where Jeremiah feels something new and strong breaking through – it is his heart, turning around and healing – all because of baseball.
Adoption is another major theme. Baby Jeremiah was found at Computer Partner Ltd. in the snack room by Walt Lopper a single computer geek who knew nothing about babies. Walt adopted Jeremiah; they are perfectly paired, and their relationship in this book is priceless. When Jeremiah apologizes to Walt about all his complicated issues, Walt replies, “I couldn’t be a good father to some run-of-the-mill, ordinary kid. I would drive them crazy. I work on complex systems, Jer.” (p83) Later in the book, we find that Jeremiah’s new cardiologist, and Walt’s love interest, Dr. Sarah was also adopted.
Robotics, and steroid use are additional themes in this book, but play a minor role.
Soar is a feel-good book in all respects. It reminds me of Wonder by Patricia Palacio. Jeremiah is a major character with a flaw who flourishes within a loving family relationship and brings out the best others who come in contact with him, both in baseball (Donald Mole- prounced mo-lay like the hot sauce) and personally. (Franny who suffers from feelings of abandonment after her father left the family 4 years ago.)
Soar is my first Joan Bauer book. I have never read any of her books before although I know that she is a very popular author. Based on the powerful themes and quality of writing in this book, I will go back and read some of her others.
Will there be a sequel? I hope so because there are still many issues that could be fleshed out such as Franny’s absent father, Jeremiah’s health issues, Dr. Sarah joining the family as Walt’s wife and Jer’s stepmom, and of course, what happens to the Hillcrest Eagles and baseball in general in Hillcrest, OH
Memorable quotes
I will never give up because I have too many cool things to do to waste time being negative.
.
February 23, 2017
I loved how Jeremiah wanted to coach since he couldn't play ball
February 6, 2016
This book may be getting an extra star because it is a Baseball book. Maybe.
This book has a lot a of great stuff in it. Like the fact that Jeremiah is a adopted; AND Jeremiah loves baseball, eagles, and robots. He is a complete kid. You know how sometimes kids in books are all one way (he is a jock, or a nerd, or a princess...) this book does not suffer from that. Jeremiah has had a heart transplant, but while that is part of the story that is not the complete story. There are so many little bits that make up the complete story it is hard to know where to start.
When listening to this book it made me long for the baseball season to start. Jeremiah makes me love baseball even more than I already do. It doesn't hurt that he was rooting for the Cincinnati Reds even though he was from St. Louis. Also I like the Jeremiah loves the game just for the game. He can never play it, but that isn't going to stop him from making baseball a part of his life.
Middle School book for content. There are also a special needs kids in here, steroid use, murder, and grown-ups being jerks.
This book has a lot a of great stuff in it. Like the fact that Jeremiah is a adopted; AND Jeremiah loves baseball, eagles, and robots. He is a complete kid. You know how sometimes kids in books are all one way (he is a jock, or a nerd, or a princess...) this book does not suffer from that. Jeremiah has had a heart transplant, but while that is part of the story that is not the complete story. There are so many little bits that make up the complete story it is hard to know where to start.
When listening to this book it made me long for the baseball season to start. Jeremiah makes me love baseball even more than I already do. It doesn't hurt that he was rooting for the Cincinnati Reds even though he was from St. Louis. Also I like the Jeremiah loves the game just for the game. He can never play it, but that isn't going to stop him from making baseball a part of his life.
Middle School book for content. There are also a special needs kids in here, steroid use, murder, and grown-ups being jerks.
September 2, 2016
I listened to this on audiobook while I was driving. I mention that because my reading comprehension from audiobooks is at about a 5-6th grade reading level. I find myself as an audiobook listener doing all the things that growing readers do: I ignore all but major plot points, I don't read for character and voice, etc.
that said, this is what I didn't like about Soar:
1. A lot of adult characters I had a hard time keeping track of and few of them significant to the story
2. brief mentions of interesting and intense issues (manslaughter, steroid use) that could have been way more central to the story
3. a main character who was wayyyy too good-natured to be realistic or relatable
4. and, I don't know, a whole whole-grain oats feel to this book about how winning isn't everything. and then you undermine your message a bit when your characters win a game and feel victorious.
I just like my characters a lot more flawed and my endings more bittersweet.
that said, this is what I didn't like about Soar:
1. A lot of adult characters I had a hard time keeping track of and few of them significant to the story
2. brief mentions of interesting and intense issues (manslaughter, steroid use) that could have been way more central to the story
3. a main character who was wayyyy too good-natured to be realistic or relatable
4. and, I don't know, a whole whole-grain oats feel to this book about how winning isn't everything. and then you undermine your message a bit when your characters win a game and feel victorious.
I just like my characters a lot more flawed and my endings more bittersweet.
July 26, 2016
Loved it. Joan Bauer is a master of creating quirky, loveable, awesome characters. I'll look forward to bringing this out to our elementary schools!
January 8, 2019
In the book, a boy named Jerimiah has always wanted to play baseball, but when he needs a heart transplant, he isn´t allowed to run, play, and play baseball. It was hard for him because baseball is something that he really enjoys, but Jerimiah realizes that if he can´t play baseball, why not coach it.
Jerimiah´s dad is a scientist and works on robots and they now have to move to Hillcrest. Jerimiah is very excited because Hillcrest is where the best baseball team is!!! When Jerimiah and his dad get there, Jerimiah goes to a new school and wants to play for the baseball team, but they don´t have one!!! He isn´t very happy about that! Then, a great idea comes to his head, he is going to gather some players, create a team, and coach the team. The team didn't win a lot of the games. After a couple of games, the team becomes better and they start winning games! I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who might like baseball, or to anyone who is interested! My favorite part in the book is when Jeremiah realizes that his team really can win a game and he believes in them.
Jerimiah´s dad is a scientist and works on robots and they now have to move to Hillcrest. Jerimiah is very excited because Hillcrest is where the best baseball team is!!! When Jerimiah and his dad get there, Jerimiah goes to a new school and wants to play for the baseball team, but they don´t have one!!! He isn´t very happy about that! Then, a great idea comes to his head, he is going to gather some players, create a team, and coach the team. The team didn't win a lot of the games. After a couple of games, the team becomes better and they start winning games! I really enjoyed this book and I would recommend it to anyone who might like baseball, or to anyone who is interested! My favorite part in the book is when Jeremiah realizes that his team really can win a game and he believes in them.
April 29, 2020
Joan Bauer is one of my very favorite authors and she hasn't disappointed fans with her newest book. In a blend of realistic fiction driven by a strong baseball storyline, Bauer tells the story of Jeremiah, a young man who has faced a great deal of hardships in his short life. Abandoned by his mother when he was an infant and adopted by Walt, a single computer engineer who found him, Jeremiah finds a loving home with Walt but when he gets virus that attacks his heart, he finds himself near death and needing a heart transplant. As he and Walt wait for a new heart, their love of baseball sustains them. Jeremiah receives a new heart and faces the ups and downs of being a transplant recipient. When he and Walt move to a new town, that is obsessed with baseball, Jeremiah finds things aren't as they seem. Will Jeremiah and his positive attitude help this town heal from a major breech of trust?
September 19, 2017
I enjoyed this uplifting story full of quirky funny characters, positive messages and a 12 year old boy who despite everything he has suffered, refuses to let his challenges rule his life. The story touches on many topics like adoption, abandonment, medical issues, friendship, and most especially baseball. Jeremiah is an extremely intelligent young man who sees life as a gift and inspires others to see themselves as who they can become. I loved all the characters and the small town atmosphere that allowed the story to be told in a more intimate setting. Jeremiah is my new hero that proves one person with an understanding heart can truly make a difference.
September 12, 2016
This hockey fan adores this baseball book. You will fall in love with Jeremiah! All kinds of heart! Fave lines: pg 281 "anyone want to tell me that baseball doesn't matter?" pg 291 "there's no Jell-O in baseball!" I also noticed a line from the hockey movie "Miracle on Ice" in Jer's coach speech! Don't need to love sports to love this book.
January 29, 2017
I listened to the audiobook and enjoyed it. There is lots to love about this story. It's about a boy who survived many difficulties through his young life but came through with an incredible positive attitude and a determination that is incomparable. Many lessons can be learned from his passion, his drive and his outlook on life. It is a good read.
January 24, 2018
I really like that Jeremiah overcame his challenges/setbacks and ended up pushing through it. I enjoyed that even when he couldn't play baseball anymore he didn't give up, he put his heart and soul into the game, which showed some really strength. I recommend this book even if you don't play baseball.
June 7, 2016
Love summer and baseball then this is a perfect combo. The unique relationship of father and son was perfect in their own unique ways. Can't wait to recommend to next year's Newberry Club. #bookadsy
May 24, 2017
The main character has two obstacles that he lives with, his mother leaving him with a tech guy and a heart transplant. With the love of baseball he finds friendship, and a love for living.
July 5, 2017
I liked the plot but the main character seemed way too mature and insightful for a real kid.
July 12, 2017
This book gives you all sorts of feel-good goosebumps. Even though I am not a baseball fan, I enjoyed the story of the relationships. Jeremiah is a person I would want to know.
April 13, 2024
This book shows don’t doubt yourself nor your ability. Jer was found and adopted by Walt when found with a note , chewing on a stuffed eagle. Jer’s heart stops him from playing baseball , but it doesn’t stop him from coaching baseball. During the chaos of their town, The Eagles team lose many games , but win too! Players on the team doubt themselves and their ability, but this doesn’t stop Jer from coaching them. Even when your heart is a mess, your team is losing lots, your adoptive father is married to your new mother, it is all about what makes you happy.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 25, 2025
Okay, it's cheesy, but it's baseball, so it's okay 😉⚾️
September 14, 2017
For me it was just okay, but it's a pretty good book. For those who just want to know how their kids are going to like it, here's what you can expect:
--an uplifting, feel-good story
--positivity galore
--people overcoming adversity and personal challenges
--digestible symbolism and metaphor, perfect for an ELA classroom, grades 4-6
--a loveable protagonist, a worthy role model (in the eyes of adults everywhere)
--baseball worship. It's almost all baseball, so sports fans will love it
There you go! Great book for kids!
Now for my (adult) experience:
It was a bit cheesy, way too positive, way too much baseball, the protagonist was an adult but they say he was 12--he MUST have been, like, 60 and sent back to live middle school all over again, even though that wasn't mentioned in the story, and it felt a little cliche. Seriously, Jeremiah was wiser than ME at age 40. Also, the happily-ever-after ending seemed totally unnecessary, and the overcoming-personal-challenges-by-staying-positive theme was way underdeveloped, yet apparently was the whole point. For example, this Pollyanna boy, we are told, had a heart transplant and his life has been hard. So we're told. But we see none of that. The narrator does mention that he gets really sick but in the same tone as when he's giving one of his many wise-beyond-his-years inspirational speeches that everyone takes to heart and uses as an impetus for personal change (immediately). This 12-year-old loves everything about his life, embraces all change as a new adventure, thinks his single dad is the best human being ever and never takes him or anything for granted EVER, etc. Yay! An uplifting novel, but not anything an adult needs to read (except maybe with their child).
I have now listened to too many audiobooks, and this may have colored my opinion of the book. At first, I thought, "Hey! This is Simon (of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda)! And then, when Walt or the coach was speaking, I was thinking, "Hey! That's the DA in All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook." Sure enough, the narrator read both of those books, too, and I've had enough of him! He only has a few voices to his repertoire, and I can't handle having all these characters from other books merging together when I'm listening to a new one. ::sigh:: This is a new problem, and I don't know what to do about it except to take an extended break from this particular narrator.
Overall, I can say that this is probably one of those excellent books upon which accolades are poured, and it has many valuable qualities including nuggets of wisdom, some tear-jerking cheese, and positivity and plot elements that one would call heartwarming. It may have even warmed my heart at times (and I know I teared up quite a bit, but I cry just as easily if I hear a few measures of perfect harmony). Soar just didn't do enough for this adult reader to make it worthy of remembering years from now.
--an uplifting, feel-good story
--positivity galore
--people overcoming adversity and personal challenges
--digestible symbolism and metaphor, perfect for an ELA classroom, grades 4-6
--a loveable protagonist, a worthy role model (in the eyes of adults everywhere)
--baseball worship. It's almost all baseball, so sports fans will love it
There you go! Great book for kids!
Now for my (adult) experience:
It was a bit cheesy, way too positive, way too much baseball, the protagonist was an adult but they say he was 12--he MUST have been, like, 60 and sent back to live middle school all over again, even though that wasn't mentioned in the story, and it felt a little cliche. Seriously, Jeremiah was wiser than ME at age 40. Also, the happily-ever-after ending seemed totally unnecessary, and the overcoming-personal-challenges-by-staying-positive theme was way underdeveloped, yet apparently was the whole point. For example, this Pollyanna boy, we are told, had a heart transplant and his life has been hard. So we're told. But we see none of that. The narrator does mention that he gets really sick but in the same tone as when he's giving one of his many wise-beyond-his-years inspirational speeches that everyone takes to heart and uses as an impetus for personal change (immediately). This 12-year-old loves everything about his life, embraces all change as a new adventure, thinks his single dad is the best human being ever and never takes him or anything for granted EVER, etc. Yay! An uplifting novel, but not anything an adult needs to read (except maybe with their child).
I have now listened to too many audiobooks, and this may have colored my opinion of the book. At first, I thought, "Hey! This is Simon (of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda)! And then, when Walt or the coach was speaking, I was thinking, "Hey! That's the DA in All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook." Sure enough, the narrator read both of those books, too, and I've had enough of him! He only has a few voices to his repertoire, and I can't handle having all these characters from other books merging together when I'm listening to a new one. ::sigh:: This is a new problem, and I don't know what to do about it except to take an extended break from this particular narrator.
Overall, I can say that this is probably one of those excellent books upon which accolades are poured, and it has many valuable qualities including nuggets of wisdom, some tear-jerking cheese, and positivity and plot elements that one would call heartwarming. It may have even warmed my heart at times (and I know I teared up quite a bit, but I cry just as easily if I hear a few measures of perfect harmony). Soar just didn't do enough for this adult reader to make it worthy of remembering years from now.
December 31, 2016
Adopted sick boy coaches baseball. Jeremiah is a wholesome, go getter and has a natural buoyancy for life. He is limited by his weak beart but doesn't let that get him down and decides to coach baseball for the school in the new city they move to. The first 100 pages drag on, but then there is scandal of coach perphas giving kids PEDs. So then people start to dislike the fact of them playing baseball. It seems a bit strange that middle school would have this problem, seems more like a college maybe high school issue. The problems with steroid issue is glossed over. They also use an autistic kid for help with the stats, but he seems more like a prop than an actual character. The main character seemed very plastic and lacked depth. I love Joan Bauer as an author, but this one didn't click for me. "A long pitch home" by Natalie Dias Lorenzi was much more interesting and age appropriate for me.
October 1, 2016
GRL - T
510L
Grade Level 4
This book has an eternally optimistic main character who has a passion for life and specifically baseball. This book is great for boys and girls. I am no baseball fan but had plenty of fun listening to this audio book version. Book clubs will find plenty of things to talk about.
****Possible spoilers ahead*****
perseverance
adoption - what makes a family - abandonment
physical challenges - heart transplant
friends with special needs
loss - there is a character who dies
drugs - steroid use
A whole town is brought to its knees when a beloved baseball player dies from steroid use complications
There is one small line way at the end that mentions their birth mother died of a drug overdose.
510L
Grade Level 4
This book has an eternally optimistic main character who has a passion for life and specifically baseball. This book is great for boys and girls. I am no baseball fan but had plenty of fun listening to this audio book version. Book clubs will find plenty of things to talk about.
****Possible spoilers ahead*****
perseverance
adoption - what makes a family - abandonment
physical challenges - heart transplant
friends with special needs
loss - there is a character who dies
drugs - steroid use
A whole town is brought to its knees when a beloved baseball player dies from steroid use complications
There is one small line way at the end that mentions their birth mother died of a drug overdose.
December 26, 2016
There were so many topics you could build lessons from with this book. Also, I like books that can hook girl/boy readers. I also really like how the author shows that adversity does not have to be end for dreams. Jer may never play baseball, but he figured out a way to stay involved with it.
For a middle school book, I might give 4 stars, but I am rating it as a Bluebonnet nominee. I found the plot to develop too slowly for 3rd-5th graders, especially reluctant readers. Also, the topics were a bit heavy - death, steroid use, child abandonment. I do think if these topics are brought up with young readers, perhaps, some solutions should be covered, as well. This book just sort of brings up the problem, and leaves them.
For a middle school book, I might give 4 stars, but I am rating it as a Bluebonnet nominee. I found the plot to develop too slowly for 3rd-5th graders, especially reluctant readers. Also, the topics were a bit heavy - death, steroid use, child abandonment. I do think if these topics are brought up with young readers, perhaps, some solutions should be covered, as well. This book just sort of brings up the problem, and leaves them.
June 21, 2018
I have loved every Joan Bauer book I have read thus far. SOAR did not disappoint. I love Jeremiah. It’s hard not to. He is a kid who makes a difference in the lives of everyone he meets and yet doesn’t even know it. His attitude, spirit, passion are something I want not only in my life, but in the life of my daughter as well.
I have not read all of Joan Bauer’s books but the ones I have are always with a girl as the main character. No complaints there. But with SOAR having Jeremiah and his love of baseball front and center it will appeal to both girl and boy middle grade readers.
I highly recommend this book!!
I have not read all of Joan Bauer’s books but the ones I have are always with a girl as the main character. No complaints there. But with SOAR having Jeremiah and his love of baseball front and center it will appeal to both girl and boy middle grade readers.
I highly recommend this book!!
March 16, 2016
OK. Sport books are not usually my thing, but this book is AMAZING! I wasn't sure where it was headed at first, but I did like the adoption storyline a lot. I loved the the Jeremiah had such a positive attitude about everything and really seemed to live life to the fullest without feeling like he was preaching at the reader. And with all of Jeremiah's heart problems, I loved that the main issues in the book still surrounded baseball and why baseball matters more than winning baseball. Very nicely done!
March 7, 2017
How could I not love a book with baseball and robots? The main character, Jeremiah, is a blast to read about and you can't help but root for him as he navigates life as an orphaned (but immediately adopted by the man that finds him abandoned) child that has received a heart transplant. I think this is just about right for the 10-12 year-old set; the characters are diverse and just about anyone could find someone to relate to. My 10 year-old absolutely loved it. This is a perfect book for Spring/Summer. Enjoy!
November 6, 2017
Jeremiah was the world biggest baseball fan. He had many challenges going through his life but he went through by thinking about baseball. Jeremiah couldn't play baseball because he had a problem with heart. I love this book because it so good. He said that he was a fan of the Chicago cubs. I love the Chicago cubs team. Jeremiah decided to coach baseball for his middle school team.
October 19, 2018
I am NOT a baseball fan--but I am a huge fan of Joan Bauer. She does not disappoint. This story is for every baseball fan. It has heart, it has drama, it has team values, it has genuine good sportsmanship. I would highly recommend. Especially for kids in grades 3-5, and for their parents and teachers who are looking for a great book to read aloud.
October 31, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It was really well written and clean for most all readers.
There was a lot of baseball references, (The book is about baseball *eyeroll* but I enjoyed it even though I'm not a huge baseball fan. I recommend it for young adults and kids. :)
There was a lot of baseball references, (The book is about baseball *eyeroll* but I enjoyed it even though I'm not a huge baseball fan. I recommend it for young adults and kids. :)
November 9, 2018
This book is a very good book the kid in the story has heart problems and loves baseball but he is not allowed to run becasue it is bad for his heart so how can he play actual baseball find outin the book soar.
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