Author: Paul
Volponi
Bibliographic Info:
Volponi, Paul. (2007). Rucker
park setup. New York: Speak.
Descriptive Summary:
Mackey must find the strength and courage to come forward after his friend and basketball teammate, J.R., is stabbed to death. But those qualities aren't so quick to come to the fore, especially given Mackey's role in J.R.'s murder. In basketball, everyone's counting on Mackey to come up big, that's the easy part. The hard part is coming up big when he knows he'll be letting everyone down.
Evaluative comments with rating:
5/5 TVs - TVs are dated, reading isn't - pick up this book!
Volponi's (and Rucker Park Setup's) strength is dialogue. Often when reading YA novels, the dialogue sticks out like a sore thumb and seems dated, that isn't the case with Volponi. His characters speak like kids speak, they think like kids speak and that's what makes his work so realistic. It's also precisely why the stakes in Rucker Park Setup matter, the reader cares about the characters because they're believable. Volponi's writing is deft and difficult, the conclusion of Rucker Park Setup isn't happy, pat, or simplistic, but it is very real and that's why this is book is worth recommending.
Volponi's (and Rucker Park Setup's) strength is dialogue. Often when reading YA novels, the dialogue sticks out like a sore thumb and seems dated, that isn't the case with Volponi. His characters speak like kids speak, they think like kids speak and that's what makes his work so realistic. It's also precisely why the stakes in Rucker Park Setup matter, the reader cares about the characters because they're believable. Volponi's writing is deft and difficult, the conclusion of Rucker Park Setup isn't happy, pat, or simplistic, but it is very real and that's why this is book is worth recommending.
Suggested Audience
(age range): 12-16 (some strong language and violence)
Readers’ advisory
notes:
Appeal factors: Issue-oriented, disturbing, emotionally intense, suspenseful, slang-heavy, moving
Readalikes: Sentences: The Life of MF Grimm - Percy Carey, Snitch - Allison van Diepen, The Outsiders - S.E. Hinton, Bluford High: Blood is Thicker - Paul Langan, Bronx Masquerade - Nikki Grimes
Booktalking hook:
From page 11:
"Stove's got the game ball under his arm and a whistle hanging from his neck. Only J.R.'s not here—because I fucked up so bad. And his killer's standing right there, cool as anything, like he doesn't have to think twice about me giving him up."
"Stove's got the game ball under his arm and a whistle hanging from his neck. Only J.R.'s not here—because I fucked up so bad. And his killer's standing right there, cool as anything, like he doesn't have to think twice about me giving him up."
Reason for inclusion: Familiarity with the book and author from shelving it
Category: Urban Fiction/Street Lit/Thriller/Murder/Realistic
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