Customer Reviews

Playing the Field

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As a librarian and a lezbrarian, I read a lot of children's and young adult fiction. I was excited to see that a new "gay" book was coming out but terribly disappointing after I finished reading it. It is terribly unprobable that just because someone is a lesbian that entitles them to play on an all-male baseball team, perhaps if that someone was transgendered we might have a decent and more complicated/interesting story. Brandon seems smug with all the cards up his sleeve and Josh as an angry isolationist. Loved the baseball part of the story, but hated with a passion the rest of it.

As a middle school teacher I read a wide range of teen and young adult literature. Some folks are "unable to distinguish between political differences and personal hatred...". "Playing the Field" is layered with themes that provide a platform for discussions of tough to teach topics. It is an entertaining and insightful must read for educators. Each character delivers poignant messages through vivid, energetic, and entertaining voices. This book is a nonstop read for middle and high school students.

Meet Darcy. She is a senior and a star softball player. Her dream has always been to play baseball. That dream is about to come true, but there is a catch.

Darcy's life is far from easy. Her high school principal is currently dating and yuck! sleeping with her mother. Attempts by her mother to convince Principal Basset that her daughter should be part of the boys' baseball team have fallen short. That is, until someone tells the principal that Darcy is gay.

Upon hearing this shocking news, Darcy's first reaction is to hastily explain the truth and even admit her crush on his son, Brandon. But after the initial shock of the announcement, Darcy realizes that her dream could come true if she is willing to participate in a small game of sexual deception. What's wrong with pretending to be gay? Who could it hurt?

Phil Bildner uses terrific humor and a fair amount of baseball action to create a fast-paced tale of Darcy's life spinning out of control. Readers will be entertained by Darcy's love life, an improving season for the baseball team, and some crazy meetings of the school's GSA (Gay-Straight Alliance) organization. PLAYING THE FIELD has a little something for everyone.

Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"