Customer Reviews

Painting the Black (Avon Camelot Books)

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4 star:		(15)
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1 star:		(1)

 

 

PAINTING THE BLACK

BY: Carl Deuker

" A thrilling sports story "

By the title you think it's about painting. But it's not, it's about baseball. As soon as you read the first page you'll be hooked, and find out it's about a lot more.

Ryan Ward is the type of kid who works at home on the weekends, but isn't a geek or made fun of. He'd do enough to get through the day so he can go back to his safe little room in his safe little house. But when Josh Danils moves in at midnight Ryan's life will change in away he never expected. Ryan is your typical senior who isn't very athletic
Sits around really doesn't have any friends. When Ryan goes over to introduce himself to josh ,a guy who is 6-2 200 pounds good-looking guy, they end up playing baseball at the park. Josh asks Ryan to catch for him Ryan is hesitant because he hurt is ankle and it never healed right but to his surprise josh says he's the best catcher he's ever seen.

Josh soon teaches Ryan about life. One day josh packs up all his stuff and goes and
Tries out for football. Well that's when Ryan starts to realize it's about attaching the day instead of just getting through it. So Ryan works out to get into shape every day. Finally baseball comes Ryan knows josh will make it but Ryan's not sure if he will but josh says
He will. But to his surprise he's the only one who can catch josh's slider, Ryan makes the team . Ryan's life is about to turn upside down in away he never expected. Ryan soon finds out josh is popular and feeds off it. But Ryan is proud of him self he is athletic and has made friends

Ryan emends up having the best year of his life on the baseball team when his life
Starts to change.

This story is basically a story of struggle for one kid and a glory for another. The main character Ryan is a kid who had always loved baseball, but could not play because a freak acident that broke both his legs. Ever since the injury he has not wanted to play again, until a new kid moves next door. Ryan's new neighbor turns out to be one of those great athletes that are good at any sport they play. They would throw the ballaround everyday and it got Ryan hooked. Ryan and Josh turn out to become really good friends, and Josh talks Ryan into trying out for baseball in the spring. When spring comes around and Ryan shows up for the tryouts, he doesn't know what to think. He doesn't know if he will make the team. Do you think that Ryan will make the team? If you want to find out, read the book. The book painting the Black by Carl Deuker is a very well written and thought out book. I really enjoyed reading this novel. First of all, the whole theme of the book is about baseball and I am a baseball nut. I like stories that there are odds to overcome and surpass before you get what you want. I really like how the author has other things going on in this novel as well. I really connected with this book because when I was a freshman trying out for baseball I really didn't know if I was going to make the team. But the main character in this story, Ryan, is trying out his senior year in high school. As you have read, the story is about overcoming odds to get to where you want to be. Everyone should connect with this book in one way or another.

Carl Deuker is quickly coming to dominate the sports novel for the young adult market. While his first novel, "On the Devil's Court," is still his most original, his last two, "Heart of a Champion" and "Painting the Black" show a deepening moral concern and a growing ability to write exciting sports scenes. All three of his novels are worth reading by anyone into sports and friendships and tough choices. My only concern is that he is starting to write himself into a corner: his last two novels are something of the same plot and characters. The narrators adore sports, but aren't that good at them; they meet somebody who is incredibly good at sports, but not so good at making moral choices; the narrator gets lifted up by his hero worship of his friend, then has to cope with the realization that his friend isn't perfect. A great plot, to be sure, but Deuker needs to take a step back and not do it a third time. That said, I would read anything Deuker writes: he's that good. He's especially good for young men who don't care much for reading; his plots move fast, his sentences rattle after each other as fast as lightning, and he doesn't pull any punches.

Over the past two weeks I have been completely engrossed with a book by Carl Deuker, Painting the Black I was particularly attracted by the fact that the story was centered around high school baseball. As an eighth grader who will be attending high school next year, the idea of reading a book placed in a high school was especially attractive. However, as I was soon to learn, this book deals with even greater, important themes.
Ryan Ward is a shy high-school teenager, enjoying the summer before his senior year. A fanatic of baseball, who also plays catcher, Ryan has finally developed enough skill and courage to join the high school baseball team next spring. The cause of such a change in this usually timid boy is his new friend and neighbor, Josh Daniels. Josh is the complete opposite of Ryan, except for their mutual love of baseball. This common interest spurs their immediate friendship, as they spend the whole summer training for next baseball season. As school starts, Ryan and Josh loose sight of each other. While still being on friendly terms, Josh is extremely extroverted, and becomes one of the most popular kids at school. Ryan, on the other hand is rather introverted and has trouble associating with Josh's group of friends. However, as baseball season commences, their friendship returns to its original stage. As the season progresses, Ryan gains confidence and popularity. Unfortunately, Ryan is plagued by the knowledge of Josh's inappropriate behavior towards a girl, one day after practice. With this information Ryan is split between turning in the star pitcher or having a chance at winning the championship and keeping his new-found popularity.
The multitude of themes addressed in this fiction book makes it appropriate for age groups 12 years and older. The issue of rape and maintaining one integrity is especially important and should be dealt with around this age. Furthermore, it never hurts to reinforce these ideas as one grows older and faces various tribulations. Also, the storyline itself was strait forward and easy to comprehend. There is no doubt that this book will engage any reader over the age of 12. I would rate this book five star because it kept me in the book and I never wanted to put it down.

Ryan Ward just met a new kid from California. After a game of catch Ryan tells his new friend that he used to play baseball before an accident when he was only twelve. This friend, Josh, an all star pitcher, helps him to become a catcher. With help Ryan is able to make the school team. With Josh's pitching help they make it into the state finals. However, Ryan sees his friend [hurting] someone. It is a moral dilemna between telling on his friend or playing baseball. I thought it addressed some real issues and I thought the characters were interesting and believable.

F. Scott Fitzgerald once wrote, "show me a hero and I'llwrite you a tragedy".

Josh is certainly a local hero, as heleads his high school to great things on the athletic fields, but his personality and character are on the edge, and sometimes over the edge.

I grew up with the idea that leaders, whether they be in the classroom or on the ballfield had to have a clean slate when it comes to your character, perhaps this book is making a societal statement that things have changed. We read about college and even high school athletes who have had run-ins with the law and they are freed to continue to play and to cause more ills.

What a shame...despite the horrible feeling I got as I read about Josh the book is a quick fast read, that will lure you in and keep you turning pages faster than a Randy Johnson fastball.

Enjoy...also try _Heart of a Champion_ by Deuker, and _ Bull Catcher_ by Alden Carter.

I enjoyed this book so much that I think that I will buy it and read it again. This book is not only filled with baseball(which I personally love) but it is filled with frienship also I love to read books about baseball and this book is probably the best book about baseball that I have ever read before. I would not have changed a thing about this book at all. I simply loved this book! I also what to tell anyone interested in this book to get because they will not be sorry.

Any sports fan would like the baseball and football action in this book. But, you'll also want to keep reading because the characters are so realistic that you feel like you know them. When Josh does something really mean to a girl at school, Ryan has to decide whether to be loyal to his friend or not.

PAINTING THE BLACK-Carl Deaker Houghton Mifflin Company 1997 PP. 248

Life has been rough for Ryan Ward all his life. Every time he gets good at something, everything falls apart. Then Josh moves in. Josh is the kind of guy who will be your best friend one day and ignore you the next, but during his friendship with Ryan he teaches him to love baseball, and because of his friendship with Josh, Ryan gets really good at it. This book is based around baseball, but there is more to it than sports. It covers many important issues. Carl Deaker really seems to bring his characters to life.

Drama Reviewed by Laura Wedell

I read this novel twice when I was younger, which just goes to show how great it was. Its just a fun, young, sports novel but it definitely stuck with me as a keeper. Only read this if you are truly into baseball and can enjoy reading pages of in depth descriptions of pitches and the game itself because if you're not I can see it being boring. However, to people like me who love the game, its FANTASTIC.