Whale Talk
Wonderful! 4.5 stars!
Maybe it's the person inside me who hates athletics, but loves inspiring athletic movies? I mean, who doesn't get weepy when watching Remember the Titans, or who isn't a shameless Varsity Blues fan! Rudy? Radio? MIGHTY DUCKS! Bad News Bears... I could go on and on, I love them so much. I love them almost as much as dance movies. Bring on the 'Not another Sports Movie' parody! I'll be there, because I've just about seen 'em all! I mean, they're so much fun and they feel so good. So this book was a win for me.
TJ, The Tao Jones, goes on a mission to take a group of ragtag kids and get them letterman's jackets in a school where athletes are EVERYTHING. TJ? Well, he could have had a jacket long ago. He's got a natural athleticism and loves to get out there and mix it up with other people, playing Hoopster and flag football OUTside of school. IN school, he refuses to buy into the bullshit of the athletic department. He's the thorn in their side, all that untapped talent and he just continues and continues to refuse. Then one day his favorite teacher approaches him about starting a swim team, which in the beginning TJ isn't so sure about. That is until he walks through the hall and sees one of the football players with the worst attitude jacking up a mentally challenged student for daring to wear his dead brother's letterman jacket to school. TJ, for his own personal reasons and history, takes serious offense to this and sticks up for Chris. Because of Chris, TJ launches into this plan of forcing Cutters brightest and best to watch Cutters 'gutter kids' walking around in those prized jackets. But that's not it! This book touches on child abuse, racism, bullying, domestic violence, accidental death... sure it all sounds like perhaps too much, but I'm telling you it really comes together well. Simply gold.
I loved TJ. He had a strong smart voice. I loved how quick he was with a come back, and damn if I didn't agree with him every time! But it wasn't just TJ, because every single one of the characters in this book has a purpose and a reason for being included. Every single one will touch you. Even the 'bad guys' in this book are there for an important part of the story. Everyone is essential.
I had 2 favorite characters in the book. Chris, whom I touched on a bit, but I'll elaborate; Chris was mentally challenged, and as such, was bullied horrendously not only by students but even by teachers. Despite that, he was just really sweet and hopeful. The relationship that blossomed between the swim team as a whole really was amazing to read but especially the relationship that blossomed between Chris and his teammates. The reality of the world is that high school is hard for those who don’t fit a certain mold, and through the swim team Chris was able to enjoy his Senior year at Cutter belonging. All of the members felt this way, but since we start out with Chris, he really sticks out. My other favorite character was TJ's dad. Anyone who follows any of my reviews should know by now that I'm partial to really well written great Dads. TJ's Dad was amazing and wonderful and everything I would want in a father. In fact, I was jealous! I want a dad that looks like a biker but has a heart that tender. The way he was with TJ, but especially the way he was with Heidi.
I have only one complaint, which is what brings my rating down that half star. Sometimes it's easy in these books or in any book really, to get so carried away that you take it just that one or two steps too far. This book did that. For those of you who've read it, I was really sort of put off at the surprise son that TJ's father had. It was unnecessary. He could have visited the grave and heard how sad the widow's life became by a neighbor or another family member without getting that gratuitous. Just my opinion though.
Overall, really thought this book was great. Maybe my favorite one from the recommendation challenge overload in my YA-MA group. So thank you to whoever recommended it originally (it was anonymous), and thank you to Isa who read it first and made me think I'd like it.
