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Publisher:
Xlibris |
Release
Date: |
ISBN:
1-4134-4493-8 |
Awards:
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Format
Reviewed: Paperback |
Buy
it at Amazon |
Read
an Excerpt |
Genre:
Fiction / Young adult |
Reviewed:
2004 |
Reviewer:
Sarah Lomas |
Reviewer
Notes: Strong expletives used. References to drug
use, gang activities, and prostitution. |
Copyright
MyShelf.com |
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On the Balls of My Feet
By Joseph J. Del
Casino
Del
Casino crafts an engaging and vivid portrait of a young man attending
a competitive high school in the 1960s. Told through first person
narration, the always observant narrator might remind some readers
of Salingers Catcher in the Rye.
The
narrator is preparing to take the AP calculus final exam of his
senior year of high school. As he waits to start the exam, he reminisces
about freshman year. Characters are fresh, and descriptions of their
clothing and the language they use make it easy to get caught up
in the story. Intending to take my time and read the book over a
couple of evenings, I found that I had to finish it in one sitting.
The
1960s setting will appeal to young adults who are interested in
those tumultuous years as well as young adults just looking for
a good read. Situations described in the book are still relevant
to todays youth. The narrator deals with trying to fit in
at school, avoid bullying from the rough crowd of students at a
neighboring high school, and solve a hometown crime committed by
a gang member.
The
book is well suited to its target audience; however, strong language
and some plot elements might be objectionable to some parents. However,
the prevailing themes are rejecting violence, being fair, and finding
ones own place in the world. I would recommend this well written
book to teenagers as well as adults.
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