Crash

Crash

by Jerry Spinelli (1996)

Middle-school football star/bully learns what's really important in life.

Being in sports, and being a guy, all my life I can definitely recognize "Crash" Coogan and his alpha male jock friends.  Now as a coach and parent I see how we reinforce the ego-driven outlook the physically talented are taught to have from an early age.  It's almost natural, probably part of a deeper, hunter/warrior society-centered instinct to praise and follow the one who can knock over the most mastadons.  The first students that get noticed are usually the bigger and faster kids on the playground.

This story follows a star athlete as his family and neighbor/classmate get him to think about other things in life than himself and being popular (pacifism, nature, death); I wish there would have been more to the book at the "end" of his story, his conversion to a nice guy was wrapped up all too quick.

Eggs

Eggs

by Jerry Spinelli (2007)

Misfit, emotionally stressed, parentless kids argue and bond and help each other... they argued a bit much for me, but maybe that's because I have my own that I usually refuse to let bicker/fight/insult (unless it's clever) with each other. A deceased mom, a wacky mom, missing and rarely there dads, a clueless Grandmother that lets her 9 yr old roam the streets all night (?), and a teen girl with issues (the book on her would be a J Frey/C. Love memoir) all connect for a too easy ending, but lots of issues to discuss with kids -- grief, growing up/personal responsibilty, connecting with others...

Love, Stargirl

Love, Stargirl
by Jerry Spinelli (2007)
A little more sappy and melodramatic (in a spacey way) than the first Stargirl, but still enjoyable, sweet, and funny. I think I have a fondness for Stargirl because she reminds me a lot of a former girlfriend from back in the day who I imagine still pines for me and leaves me anonymous notes... she wasn't as weird as Stargirl, but was unique and caring and did her own thing -- attractive yet scary to a teenage boy and his raging hormones. Ah, I digress... Much more likable supporting cast here, lots to discuss with peer pressure and family issues and unrequited emotions...

Stargirl

Stargirl

Jerry Spinelli (2000)

Two great reads in a row... "Stargirl" is the hippie-chick non-conformist new kid in school, and no one understands her weird ways. Lots of popularity, acceptance, and fitting in issues, and fighting for who you are/who you want to be... also caring for others, and missed oportunities -- I kept rooting for the guy to wake up, be strong, don't let her go!

connections: the sequel Love, Stargirl, A Walk To Remember (YA?), the X-Men

Maniac Magee/Holes

Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli (1990)

Newbery Medal 1991

liked the beginning more than the end, good to use for legends, urban myths, hyperbole… and in discussions of colorblind-ness/race relations… characters too stereotypical?

Holes by Louis Sachar

Newbery Medal 1999

very good…