Sonderbooks Book Review of Sticks

Reviewed July 8, 2002.
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers, 1996.

I’m a big fan of Joan Bauer, but this book was a little too much like her first novel, Squashed, without being quite as funny. (I think this was her second book.)

Mickey Vernon wants nothing in the world more than to win the ten- to thirteen-year-olds’ nine-ball championship. His father died before he had a chance to win a championship at nine-ball. When an old friend of Mickey’s father comes into town and offers to coach him, Mickey leaps at the chance. Never mind that his mother is not so happy about the idea. Obstacles fall into Mickey’s path, but he perseveres in his goal.

Joan Bauer has definitely progressed in her writing since she wrote this one. I recommend reading Hope Was Here, and Rules of the Road first. Then you’ll be happy to have another taste of her work, even if it’s not as outstanding. Still an enjoyable story.

When I met Joan Bauer at a Writer’s Conference in Paris last year, she thought I would like this one, since Mickey uses Math to help him win at pool. There’s one catch--I’m good at Math, but was always lousy at pool--I’m not convinced that it really helps all that much. You may know how you should hit the ball, but you have to be able to actually do it!

Reviews of other books by Joan Bauer:

Best Foot Forward
Stand Tall

Amazon links to other Joan Bauer books:

Hope Was Here
Rules of the Road
Squashed

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Book Reviews by Sondra Eklund

***Sticks*

by Joan Bauer