In this novel-in-poems, author Ron Koertge successfully couples the tension and drive of a good story with the imagery and compression of fine poetry. He cuts against the stereotypes of dumb jocks and Goth poets to create a smart, every-guy protagonist whose down-to-earth voice and contemporary concerns refresh centuries-old poetic forms such as the villanelle, couplet, limerick and haiku. With this book, Koertge steps up to the plate—two outs, bases loaded—and stylistically knocks it out of the park.
—The Washington Post
Dedicated to “the readers of Shakespeare Bats Cleanup who wanted to know what happened next,” this follow-up finds Kevin Boland recovered from the mono that sidelined him in the previous book, ready to resume play at first base and continue his relationship with pretty, earnest Mira, now his girlfriend. Complications ensue when Mira fails to show an interest in baseball or poetry and, at an open mike night, Kevin meets Amy, a bookstore owner's daughter who needs help with her haiku. The strength of both books is the seamless way Koertge shows how Kevin processes guilt, excitement, and uncertainty: with his pen. For Kevin, whose mother has died recently, writing is thinking. “Sadness is a big dark bus/ with a schedule of its own,” he writes in a poignant poem about the grief he shares with his father, a well-drawn, easy-to-like character. Kevin's ready acknowledgment of his feelings and facility with words are what make him appealing to Amy—and to readers. Their poetic pas de deux, a budding romance built by swapping villanelles, pantoums, and sestinas, is both funny and charming. Ages 12–up. (Mar.)
Gr 7–9—Kevin's major interests are baseball and his girlfriend, Mira, in that order. In this warm and funny sequel to Shakespeare Bats Cleanup (Candlewick, 2003), the 14-year-old journals in various poetic forms under the supportive tutelage of his widowed father, who is also a poet. Conflicts include Kevin's increasing distance from Mira and her environmental activism, as well as Dad's relationship with a woman named Anna. A poetry reading introduces Kevin to Amy, but her all-too-perfect boyfriend seems to have a lock on her heart. All's well that ends well, the Bard wrote, and whether readers are meeting Kevin for the first time or have already read the first book, they are likely to enjoy both the accessible story and Kevin's struggles with some demanding poetic structures. And it's very likely they'll be tempted to stretch their own writing in response.—Joel Shoemaker, South East Junior High School, Iowa City, IA
For Kevin, baseball is a refuge in which he can lose himself to the intricacies and flow of the game. While on the field, he can briefly put aside his grief over his mother's death and his conflicted feelings about his father's decision to see other women. And then there's his own confusion about his cute girlfriend Mira and his new relationship with Amy, who shares his love of poetry. All of these emotions are laid bare in the poems he writes in the journal he began while recovering from mononucleosis (Shakespeare Bats Cleanup, 2006). He and Amy also text each other in poetry, expressing their feelings and longings with honesty and humor while experimenting with sestina, haiku, sonnets, limericks and more. Kevin and his friends are multilayered characters who are quirky and eccentric but also totally believable. There are no neat endings or miracles. Koertge masterfully leads readers to accept that people-yes, even teenagers-can be individuals, and that baseball and poetry are not necessarily at opposite ends of the spectrum. Well done. (Fiction/poetry. 12 & up)
Koertge’s pleasing variety of verse – a villanelle here, a sestina there – is a seamless fit for his story and characters.
—The Horn Book (starred review)
The well-crafted poetry is firmly rooted in the experiences of regular teens and addresses subjects that range from breakups to baseball. Koertge works in some unobtrusive poetry instruction, and poems like Amy’s funny Transylvanian limericks and Kevin’s poignant reflections on “moving on” will inspire teens to try writing their own. Appealing and accessible.
—Booklist
Whether readers are meeting Kevin for the first time or have already read the first book, they are likely to enjoy both the accessible story and Kevin’s struggles with some demanding poetic structures.
—School Library Journal
Koertge masterfully leads readers to accept that people—yes, even teenagers—can be individuals, and that baseball and poetry are not necessarily at opposite ends of the spectrum. Well done.
—Kirkus Reviews
The strength of both books is the seamless way Koertge shows how Kevin processes guilt, excitement, and uncertainty: with his pen.
—Publishers Weekly
Definitely a book to read, at least once, if not more.
—YA Books Central blog
Cuts against the stereotypes of dumb jocks and Goth poets to create a smart, every-guy protagonist whose down-to-earth voice and contemporary concerns refresh centuries-old poetic. . . . With this book, Koertge steps up to the plate — two outs, bases loaded — and stylistically knocks it out of the park.
—The Washington post
Heartfelt, funny, and brilliant in every way. . . a must-read.
—Kendal Rautzan's Books to Borrow, Books to Buy (syndicated column)
Wow — if you are celebrating April as poetry month, you need this book. If you are teaching middle-schoolers about poetry, you need this book. If you like a clever read about a boy who needs to break up with a girl who isn’t right for him, then you will love this book.
—Winston-Salem Journal
If you’re looking for a way to get a sports-obsessed kid into poetry, this may be it.
—Hippo
