You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
I laughed, I cried. And I rarely cry when I read books. This was the first (and so far only) book that made me cry. I love T.J. i love all of the swim team. Wanted to kill the bad guys. Hug Heidi. Adored this book :D
This book is a story about a boy who creates something beautiful out of nothing. Filled with side plots, memorable characters, and deep lessons, it is a story filled with so much more than is first apparent and one I will not soon be forgetting.
emotional
funny
inspiring
medium-paced
I liked this book quite a bit more than I expected, because I don't usually read Sport books. I blew through this book too, it was very readable. This novel would make a very typical sports movie, and even though some bits were a little cheesy, I found myself very entertained.
It seems the characters- as another reviewer put it- has some sort of dramatic flaw or quality hindering them from normal social expectations, so much that the motley crew of swimmers seems too perfectly outcast. I know that T.J.'s aim was to assemble a team of misfits, so I can't really complain too much about that.
T.J.'s narration was for the most part quite solid, although I was a little surprised by how dismissive his attention to his girlfriend, Carly, was. I know that their romance wasn't the main plot, but she only came into the picture whenever her presence needed to be the mediator or the tie to another plot point. Usually a teenage boy's girlfriend plays a much more prominent role in his life than a convenient way to introduce a new subplot.
A couple of times I found myself thinking, "Why do these people care so much about letter jackets?" Even though it's a pride thing, about making outcasts feel like they belong, in my mind it's still a jacket, no matter how much symbolism it contains.
I liked T.J.'s father a lot as a character, as well as Icko. The events in this book can be quite disturbing, and it will stay with me for a long time. It really does open your eyes, and I can definitely see it being taught in a classroom.
It seems the characters- as another reviewer put it- has some sort of dramatic flaw or quality hindering them from normal social expectations, so much that the motley crew of swimmers seems too perfectly outcast. I know that T.J.'s aim was to assemble a team of misfits, so I can't really complain too much about that.
T.J.'s narration was for the most part quite solid, although I was a little surprised by how dismissive his attention to his girlfriend, Carly, was. I know that their romance wasn't the main plot, but she only came into the picture whenever her presence needed to be the mediator or the tie to another plot point. Usually a teenage boy's girlfriend plays a much more prominent role in his life than a convenient way to introduce a new subplot.
A couple of times I found myself thinking, "Why do these people care so much about letter jackets?" Even though it's a pride thing, about making outcasts feel like they belong, in my mind it's still a jacket, no matter how much symbolism it contains.
I liked T.J.'s father a lot as a character, as well as Icko. The events in this book can be quite disturbing, and it will stay with me for a long time. It really does open your eyes, and I can definitely see it being taught in a classroom.
An emotionally compelling young adult novel about a group of unlikely athletes organized by T.J. Jones (The Dao Jones) who's inspired to do it simply to give Chris Coughlin a letter jacket. In the process the boys bond and reveal more about themselves and do a good bit of healing in the process. The novel speaks well to at risk youths, adoptees and minorities- but really to anyone who feels like an outsider who wants acceptance. Athletics weren't my thing in High School but Theater was, and I can always see how cooperative team sports is so similar in creating much needs relationships, bonds, and coping mechanisms for life. You almost get the impression at that end when T.J. throw the state meet that the end result doesn't matter. That's it's the journey and not the destination that matters. The side under-story of Rich Marshall and Alicia and her kids propelled the plot further and raised the stakes on T.J's need for the letterman jackets. The overall theme of whale talk, how what we say and who we are is important, despite our limitations, rings very true in the novel. Ultimately the novel is about the need for connection for everyone, that even the Rich Marshall's of the world are talking and it's important to listen. This could be a powerful but engaging read for a young male student or for an athlete.
Awesome! Awesome! Awesome.
True voices, crazy story, heart and soul and happy and sad. Triumph and loss.
I mean, seriously.
Read the damn book.
True voices, crazy story, heart and soul and happy and sad. Triumph and loss.
I mean, seriously.
Read the damn book.
* I listened to this on audiobook.
Chris Crutcher came through my city a while back for a local Writing Project event, and I didn't go because I'd never read anything by him. My professors were gushing about this book, and he's always been relegated to the "sports" shelf in my classroom, since that's the reputation I picked up on when I because delving into young adult lit for my high school students.
Although this book is about swimming, it's about a lot more - racism, dreams, doing the right thing, finding your place in a family, being true to yourself, the outsiders - and I realize now that it's a disservice to this book, and I assume the other Crutcher books, to just call this a sports book. I recommend reading Whale Talk whole-heartedly. The wisdom about life that seeps out through the character's words and narration is lovely.
Chris Crutcher came through my city a while back for a local Writing Project event, and I didn't go because I'd never read anything by him. My professors were gushing about this book, and he's always been relegated to the "sports" shelf in my classroom, since that's the reputation I picked up on when I because delving into young adult lit for my high school students.
Although this book is about swimming, it's about a lot more - racism, dreams, doing the right thing, finding your place in a family, being true to yourself, the outsiders - and I realize now that it's a disservice to this book, and I assume the other Crutcher books, to just call this a sports book. I recommend reading Whale Talk whole-heartedly. The wisdom about life that seeps out through the character's words and narration is lovely.
I loved getting into TJ’s head and the fact that this book was set in PNW! However, I felt like I wanted to know more about the other members of the swim team. We start to learn more about these characters and their background but I felt like their journey was lost somewhere as the book progressed.
Fantastic. Funny, sarcastic, self-aware narrator. Explores issues of race, domestic violence, adoption, and more with candor and wit. Beautiful story, wonderful writing.
The end was unsatisfying, but I'm pretty sure that was the point. Whatever, I love this author and I'm glad I read it.