Blog Archives
Piper’s Perfect Pick
Piper’s Perfect Pick, by Peni Clark, is a charming tale of perseverance and discovery. Piper is eager to find a sport she excels in, but her journey is fraught with mishaps. From running the wrong way on the basketball court to tripping on the soccer field and missing every tennis ball, Piper tries every sport imaginable, yet success eludes her. Feeling disheartened, Piper confides in her cat, Tater Tot, who playfully swats at her. At first perplexed, Piper soon realizes that Tater Tot might be suggesting boxing. Intrigued, Piper gives boxing a try and discovers it might just be the perfect sport for her. The story leaves readers wondering if boxing will be Piper’s ultimate pick.
I thoroughly enjoyed Piper’s journey, as it resonates with many children who struggle to find their niche. Piper’s determination and resilience are inspiring, teaching young readers the importance of persistence and the value of not giving up, no matter how challenging the quest. The story also beautifully highlights the supportive role of Piper’s family, reinforcing the message of familial love and encouragement. Piper’s family’s unwavering support is a heartwarming aspect that underscores the importance of having a nurturing environment.
An additional delight is the “Boxing Basics” sheet included at the end of the book. This educational feature introduces readers to various boxing terms and their definitions, enhancing their understanding of the sport. Peni Clark, a retired kindergarten teacher, brings her passion for storytelling to life, aiming to encourage, motivate, and empower readers of all ages. Her fondness for boxing is evident, making it a fitting central theme for this children’s book. The illustrations, by Penny Weber, are vibrant and engaging, complementing the story perfectly. Each page is detailed and colorful, creating a vivid visual experience that feels like watching a movie unfold.
Piper’s Perfect Pick is an enjoyable and relatable read for children. Piper’s determination and her journey of self-discovery are both inspiring and heartwarming. This book is highly recommended for young readers and their families, offering valuable lessons in perseverance and the joy of finding one’s passion.
Pages: 32 | ASIN : B0D913V2DB
Surviving the Second Tier
Surviving the Second Tier by author M.K Lever is a sci-fi novel that is different from anything else out there. It is a combination of dystopian sci-fi, college drama, and an underdog sports story. The setting is nebulous. We know the novel is set in the future, but Lever leaves it up to the reader to decide how distant. Technology has advanced but is not far-fetched. We know that there are drones, automated exercise equipment, and self-driving cars. The setting is what I would call grounded dystopian. There has been yet another economic crash, and once again, it is the younger generation who are paying the price.
This captivating novel takes a close look at the world of college sport but through the lens of a dystopian future. In this world, college sports as we know it has been replaced with the AFA (American Fighting Association). Male and female athletes now fight in an MMA-style fighting league where only the toughest and best-funded succeed. Like most extraordinary sports stories, we follow Sis Jones, a second-tier fighter who is undefeated and coming towards the end of her college career. Sis might be successful in the ring, but it isn’t doing her much good. As a poorly-paid second-tier fighter, the fighting takes its toll on her health and grades. We follow Sis and her teammates as they are pushed and manipulated further and further by their greedy coach and college higher-ups. In the end, enough is enough, and the athletes rebel and take on the corruption directly.
Surviving the second tier feels almost like a more grounded Hunger Games. The setting may not be quite as dramatic and the stakes not quite as high, but Sis is still fighting for survival in many ways. Most of us have never had to fight to the death, but struggling to make ends meet will be painfully familiar to most of us.
Lever is a former college athlete herself, and this shows. She has extensive knowledge of the subject and has gone to great pains to highlight the abuse and corruption that goes widely unreported in college sports today. As well as shining a light on the discrepancies between first-tier and second-tier college teams. For every first-tier college athlete that goes on to great success, many are left behind.
Surviving the Second tier is a gripping dystopian novel with a great underdog story full of easy to root for heroes with an important message. This unconventional combination of genres will give readers a unique look into college sports and much to think about.
Pages: 429 | ASIN : B09MDR6FYH
LITERARY TITAN 