Taking Sides [Paperback]

Gary Soto (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Lincoln Mendoza remains loyal to his former school’s basketball team, even after he moves from the barrio to the suburbs and plays for his new school’s team. “This touchingly realistic story explores the divided loyalties of a Hispanic basketball player who has recently moved from a poor neighborhood to a more affluent one. . . . Soto masterfully conveys the Hispanic-American experience.”-Publishers Weekly

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

This touchingly realistic story explores the divided loyalties of a Hispanic basketball player who has recently moved from a poor neighborhood to a more affluent one. Initially, eighth grader Lincoln feels like a traitor when he plays ball for the predominantly white school he now attends. To make matters worse, his new coach seems to hold a grudge against both Lincoln and his former school, Franklin Junior High. As a game against Franklin approaches, tension mounts and Lincoln experiences clashes with several people, including some teammates. But he manages to have fun on the night of the big game and eventually makes peace with his friends. Once again, Soto ( Baseball in April ) masterfully conveys the Hispanic-American experience, and readers will respect Lincoln's values and good sportsmanship. Ultimately, the boy learns to adjust to a new situation and accept new challenges without compromising his individuality. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7-- This light but appealing story deals with cultural differences, moving, and basketball. Eighth-grader Lincoln Mendoza and his mother have just moved from a San Francisco barrio to a wealthy, predominantly white suburb. He misses his Hispanic friends, the noise, camaraderie, and even the dirt and fights in his old neighborhood. Having made first-string on the basketball team, he finds that the coach dislikes him for no good reason. Plot development hinges on an upcoming game between his new school and the old one. As the big day approaches, Lincoln cannot decide which team he wants to win. He's not sure where he truly belongs, but the game helps to clarify this for him. Readers will easily understand the boy's dilemma. The conflicts of old vs. new and Hispanic vs. white culture are clearly delineated. So is the fact that the differences are not as great as they first appear. Lincoln is a typical adolescent: energetic, likable, moody at times, but adaptable. Other characters are less finely drawn. The coach is the stereotypical obnoxious jock. Lincoln's divorced mother works hard and tries to be a good parent. Her boyfriend Roy is a minor player but he helps Lincoln to deal with his problems. Because of its subject matter and its clear, straightforward prose, the book will be especially good for reluctant readers. A glossary of Spanish words appears at the end of the book. --Bruce Anne Shook, Mendenhall Middle School, Greensboro,
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: Sandpiper (October 15, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 015284077X
• ISBN-13: 978-0152840778
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.4 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,112,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Fresno, California to Mexican American parents, Gary Soto learned the hard work ethic through his share of chores, including mowing lawns, picking grapes, painting house numbers on street curbs, and washing cars. His hard work paid off at California State University at Fresno, from which he graduated with an English degree, and later at the University of California at Irvine, where he earned a Masters of Fine Arts in Creative Writing.Gary Soto is an acclaimed poet, essayist, and fiction writer. The awards for this multi-talented author are many, ranging from the U.S. Award for International Poetry Forum in 1977 for his first published book of poetry, The Elements of San Joaquin, to a Before Columbus Foundation American Book Award in 1985 for Living Up the Street, his first published work of prose recollections. His short story collection Baseball in April, was named an American Library Association's Best Book for Young Adults. In 1993 Gary Soto received the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Children's Video for Pool Party, and in 1995 he was nominated for a National Book Award.His other credits include fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the California Arts Council. Gary Soto is also one of the youngest poets to appear in the Norton Anthology of Modern Poetry. Several of his books have been translated into French, Spanish and Italian.Too Many Tamales was named a Booklist Books for Youth Editors' Choices of 1993. Hazel Rochman of Booklist said, "Gary Soto is an accomplished poet and adult writer, and his children's stories are widely popular. His first entry into the picture book genre is a joyful success."When he is not writing, Mr. Soto serves as a volunteer English teacher at his church. He also enjoys eating at new restaurants, which he does often with his wife, Carolyn, and their daughter Mariko. Other members of the Soto household include their two cats, Corky and Sharkie. The Soto family resides in Berkeley, California.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Switching Teams, April 2, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Taking Sides (Paperback)

Switching Teams

Do you know what it's like to switch teams? Well Lincoln Mendoza does. I am talking about the book, "Taking Sides," by Gary Soto. This is a great book. I think that anyone who likes books about sports should read this. It is all about basketball and how Lincoln switches school and joins a different basketball team. You should read, "Taking Sides."

Plus this book talks about real issues in life because these things really happen, people really have to switch schools and change basketball teams. My favorite part was when Lincoln went back to Franklin (his old school) to see his best friend Tony; it was great, two friends reuniting. An example of good suspense in this book is when someone breaks into Lincolns house when he is sitting home alone. You don't know what's going to happen and I won't tell you. There is no bad part in this book to me and I don't think you will find one. I say you should read this book.

In conclusion, this book is about sports, switching schools and adjusting to there. This is a fabulous book you should read this. Now don't just sit there, run to your nearest book store and get the book called, "Taking Sides."

By:M.W

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Taking the Good Side, January 8, 2001

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Taking Sides (Paperback)

Taking Sides, by Gary Soto, is surely one of the most fascinating books that I have ever read. In the book, Lincoln, the main character, had his life entirely switched. His family moves from the rough ghetto of San Francisco to the beautiful, upscale neighborhood of Sycamore. From this new life, Lincoln must adjust the beat of an entirely different drum, while making new friends and clashing in his lifelong passion: basketball. This book is charming, and definitely abnormal. It is very pleasing to read and unlike other books, it has a distinctive flow and tone to it. This book is also quite captivating. Anyone reading this book would not be able to put this one down. It is a real page-turner. These are only some of the reasons that this book is truly one of a kind. There are a few aspects of this book that one might dislike. First of all, the story is a little bit vague and imprecise. When I was reading this novel, I became a little bit lost. However, despite these slight flaws, this book was easily the most enjoyable book that I have read in months if not years.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars taking sides, April 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Taking Sides (Paperback)

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was interesting. It showed how a kid dealt with a problem and what he went through. I would recomend this book to young adults that went through a hard time. The short stories that are also in the book were interesting. They also had a lot of descriptions.