Scan barcode
jbarr5's review
5.0
Wish by Jake Smith
Wanted to read this book because it's about baseball and I miss the journey and dreams.
This one is about a boy, Aaron who's no longer in remission. His dad, James has grown up playing baseball and is now a coach. Young daughter Lizzie and wife Emily are all surrounding Aaron at the hospital where they are able to live while he goes through his tests, chemo and hopefully more bone marrow transplants.
Aaron immerses himself in baseball, stats-I love stats! To me it's his way of not forgetting his ordeal but coping with it that takes him away from the limelight to lose himself in. He gets a visit from a pro ball player and they get in-depth about the game and stats.
Follows everyday life things that occur, praying to God and how each of them copes with their new routines.
Love gift Aaron is able to give to his dad with the help of the ball player...makes you sad he had to give up his dream long ago..What a treat for me as never having gone to a ballpark. all behind the scenes are now open.
After I learned what the wish really was i had to close the book, put it down and stop crying, so happy for them all...things like this just don't happen to regular people...
X read! Love it when everybody comes together for a good cause.
I received this book from Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
Wanted to read this book because it's about baseball and I miss the journey and dreams.
This one is about a boy, Aaron who's no longer in remission. His dad, James has grown up playing baseball and is now a coach. Young daughter Lizzie and wife Emily are all surrounding Aaron at the hospital where they are able to live while he goes through his tests, chemo and hopefully more bone marrow transplants.
Aaron immerses himself in baseball, stats-I love stats! To me it's his way of not forgetting his ordeal but coping with it that takes him away from the limelight to lose himself in. He gets a visit from a pro ball player and they get in-depth about the game and stats.
Follows everyday life things that occur, praying to God and how each of them copes with their new routines.
Love gift Aaron is able to give to his dad with the help of the ball player...makes you sad he had to give up his dream long ago..What a treat for me as never having gone to a ballpark. all behind the scenes are now open.
After I learned what the wish really was i had to close the book, put it down and stop crying, so happy for them all...things like this just don't happen to regular people...
X read! Love it when everybody comes together for a good cause.
I received this book from Book Club Network (bookfun.org) in exchange for my honest review.
amymo73's review
3.0
Such a wonderful and easy read. It's a charming story. A father-son story wrapped in baseball and leukemia and bone marrow donation. The descriptions of baseball life felt accurate and while the book always reached for a happy ending it didn't feel forced or contrived. Some parts felt a tad on the sappy side but the easy narration made it pass quickly. What struck me the most was the lesson about being fully present and how being your best where you are at -- not where you think you should be or where you want to be or where you fear to be -- serves not just you but everyone.
lmbartelt's review against another edition
5.0
Baseball fans will love this. So will dads. And moms. And anyone with a heart.
James McConnell gave up his big-league dreams years ago when he met and married Emily. James works at an insurance agency and coaches part time. Their family's been battling their son's cancer for 4 years, and just when they thought 9-year-old Aaron was in remission, the cancer returned.
This is where the story picks up, and it doesn't stop evoking the kinds of emotions most parents hope they don't have to deal with. But their journey through this relapse and treatment at a new hospital is so real, I believed their struggles.
Aaron's a huge Detroit Tigers fans and during this relapse he gets a visit from one of the players. He whispers a wish to the player who sets in motion a second chance for Aaron's dad to live his dream of playing big-league baseball.
So much more than baseball novel, Wish is a story of dreams and sacrifice.
It reminded me, at times, of Field of Dreams, Bull Durham and The Rookie. And I loved every page. It's an emotional ringer, and an important reminder of the real, everyday, heavy burdens families with sick kids face.
It's also a call to join donor registries, bone marrow specifically as it relates to this story.
Wish exceeded my expectations for a debut novel. Put it on your to-read list or buy a copy for the dads in your life. I would recommend this one to my husband without hesitation.
James McConnell gave up his big-league dreams years ago when he met and married Emily. James works at an insurance agency and coaches part time. Their family's been battling their son's cancer for 4 years, and just when they thought 9-year-old Aaron was in remission, the cancer returned.
This is where the story picks up, and it doesn't stop evoking the kinds of emotions most parents hope they don't have to deal with. But their journey through this relapse and treatment at a new hospital is so real, I believed their struggles.
Aaron's a huge Detroit Tigers fans and during this relapse he gets a visit from one of the players. He whispers a wish to the player who sets in motion a second chance for Aaron's dad to live his dream of playing big-league baseball.
So much more than baseball novel, Wish is a story of dreams and sacrifice.
It reminded me, at times, of Field of Dreams, Bull Durham and The Rookie. And I loved every page. It's an emotional ringer, and an important reminder of the real, everyday, heavy burdens families with sick kids face.
It's also a call to join donor registries, bone marrow specifically as it relates to this story.
Wish exceeded my expectations for a debut novel. Put it on your to-read list or buy a copy for the dads in your life. I would recommend this one to my husband without hesitation.
More...