Review of Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel

[Diana Lowery]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel" by Barnaby Starr.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Switch-Hitter: A Tennis Novel is a story about a young girl with a unique talent that allows her to hit a forehand from both her left and right sides. Her father was also ambidextrous and used his ability as a professional baseball player. Ironically, the title could also refer to the writing technique Barnaby Starr chose; the narration in this novel switches between three different points of view. While this story is uplifting, it took me quite a while to get used to the odd narration and timelines because they are not chronological.

Sheila is eleven when the story begins. Her father, who has been her only tennis coach, has died, her mother is in jail, and Sheila has given up on tennis. Sheila's grandmother recruits Nigel, a homeless native from the Bahamas, to entice her back onto the court. The story follows Sheila's journey as she struggles to become the first ambidextrous amateur to be a Grand Slam champion. Nigel also struggles due to his race and nationality. The author's mission to show how much of an impact a positive attitude can have is demonstrated by these two characters. Their travels through Michigan, California, the Bahamas, and France add imagery and interest to the story.

The author, Barnaby Starr, played on the tennis team for Yale, and I enjoyed all the technical tennis knowledge he included. I also liked the unbiased way he discussed teen pregnancy and the options available to young girls. Sheila's grandparents, her aunt, and her social worker were also presented as encouraging mentors. These aspects make the book appropriate for a young adult audience.

The biggest negative for me concerns the third narrator, Sam. In the beginning of the book, Sam is an unborn child narrating from the womb. He later describes his birth, his physical development, and his relationship with his parents as a newborn. The author is a retired pediatrician, so his knowledge of infants is credible and factual, but I had a problem accepting Sam's inner dialogue and his emotional insights.

Another negative for me was the format used for the chapters. They did not begin on a new page, nor were they numbered. There was always a pertinent tennis rule centered somewhere on a page. Underneath the quote was the name of the narrator and a time period. For example, the first chapter was "Samuel-to-be (the present)." The next chapter was "Sheila (five years ago)," followed by "Nigel Rulle (8 years ago)." The time periods jumped back and forth until the last part of the book, where it stayed in the present. I understand the author's choice, but it was difficult to sort it all out.

My rating is four out of five stars due to the negatives I mentioned. This book is recommended for young adults ages 15-17. The sensitive topics are handled appropriately, and there is limited profanity or sexual content. Even though this is about tennis, the motivational message would appeal to any sport activity or academic achievement.

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Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

[Gerry Steen]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel" by Barnaby Starr.]

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4 out of 5 stars

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Share This Review

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Switch-Hitter: A Tennis Novel is a story about a young girl with a unique talent that allows her to hit a forehand from both her left and right sides. Her father was also ambidextrous and used his ability as a professional baseball player. Ironically, the title could also refer to the writing technique Barnaby Starr chose; the narration in this novel switches between three different points of view. While this story is uplifting, it took me quite a while to get used to the odd narration and timelines because they are not chronological.

Sheila is eleven when the story begins. Her father, who has been her only tennis coach, has died, her mother is in jail, and Sheila has given up on tennis. Sheila's grandmother recruits Nigel, a homeless native from the Bahamas, to entice her back onto the court. The story follows Sheila's journey as she struggles to become the first ambidextrous amateur to be a Grand Slam champion. Nigel also struggles due to his race and nationality. The author's mission to show how much of an impact a positive attitude can have is demonstrated by these two characters. Their travels through Michigan, California, the Bahamas, and France add imagery and interest to the story.

The author, Barnaby Starr, played on the tennis team for Yale, and I enjoyed all the technical tennis knowledge he included. I also liked the unbiased way he discussed teen pregnancy and the options available to young girls. Sheila's grandparents, her aunt, and her social worker were also presented as encouraging mentors. These aspects make the book appropriate for a young adult audience.

The biggest negative for me concerns the third narrator, Sam. In the beginning of the book, Sam is an unborn child narrating from the womb. He later describes his birth, his physical development, and his relationship with his parents as a newborn. The author is a retired pediatrician, so his knowledge of infants is credible and factual, but I had a problem accepting Sam's inner dialogue and his emotional insights.

Another negative for me was the format used for the chapters. They did not begin on a new page, nor were they numbered. There was always a pertinent tennis rule centered somewhere on a page. Underneath the quote was the name of the narrator and a time period. For example, the first chapter was "Samuel-to-be (the present)." The next chapter was "Sheila (five years ago)," followed by "Nigel Rulle (8 years ago)." The time periods jumped back and forth until the last part of the book, where it stayed in the present. I understand the author's choice, but it was difficult to sort it all out.

My rating is four out of five stars due to the negatives I mentioned. This book is recommended for young adults ages 15-17. The sensitive topics are handled appropriately, and there is limited profanity or sexual content. Even though this is about tennis, the motivational message would appeal to any sport activity or academic achievement.

******
Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon

I have always wondered why more athletes are not encouraged to be ambidextrous. I believe that this added skill can be used advantageously. Because this topic interests me, I am adding this book to my bookshelves. Thank you for this great review.

[Omneya Shakeep]

I'm not a sports fan, so I like how the book approaches other important topics that impact teenagers and doesn't concentrate only on the tennis sport and its techniques. Thanks for this insightful review.

[Diana Lowery]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel" by Barnaby Starr.]

I have always wondered why more athletes are not encouraged to be ambidextrous. I believe that this added skill can be used advantageously. Because this topic interests me, I am adding this book to my bookshelves. Thank you for this great review.

Thank you, Gerry, I appreciate your input.

[Diana Lowery]

I'm not a sports fan, so I like how the book approaches other important topics that impact teenagers and doesn't concentrate only on the tennis sport and its techniques. Thanks for this insightful review.

I agree. I do think that sports are great for teen development in more ways than athletic.

[Williams Jaden]

"Switch-Hitter: A Tennis Novel" follows Sheila, an eleven-year-old with the rare ability to hit forehands with both hands. After her father's death and mother's imprisonment, Sheila quits tennis. Her grandmother hires Nigel, a homeless Bahamian, to help her return to the sport. The novel, with its non-chronological narrative and multiple perspectives, explores Sheila's journey to becoming a Grand Slam champion and Nigel's struggles with race and identity.

[Diana Lowery]

Thank you for posting a summary of this book. I would enjoy hearing your personal comments on my review.

[Priya Murugesan]

A very different plot. I am intrigued by Sam, the narrator. Will try this book if I get a chance.

[Sarah Zain]

I'm not an athlete but I like to watch tennis from time to time. I liked the different perspective the author took on the game Especially since it focuses on the player and how it affects her. However, I agree with you about the downside I don't think I would accept the narrative of an unborn child either. Thank you for this great review.

[Idris Abubakar]

It makes me feel back when Sheila stories begin her father died and her mother was in jail and she was at the age of eleven aww I feel for her and at the same time she struggles to become the first ambidextrous amateur to be a Grand Slam champion I like the book

[Naimah Agboluaje]

Based on the review, "Switch-Hitter: A Tennis Novel" seems to be a good read for young adults, particularly those interested in tennis or sports. The author's technical knowledge of tennis adds depth to the story, while the positive message about the impact of a positive attitude is uplifting. However, the switching narrators and non-chronological timelines may be challenging to follow. Overall, I would rate this book a four out of five stars. Intense drama, kept me riveted throughout.

[Joe Alex 2]

This novel seems to offer an inspiring story about a young girl with a unique talent and the mentors who guide her through personal struggles. The alternating perspectives and non-chronological structure could be intriguing, though they might make the story harder to follow at times. The inclusion of technical tennis knowledge and sensitive topics like teen pregnancy adds depth to the narrative. I would be interested in reading the book to explore Sheila’s journey and the motivational themes, despite the unconventional narrative style.