Effy's Reviews > Sour Apples: A Novel for Those Who Hate to Read

First and foremost, the author of this book, Paul Jantzen, is so kind and passionate about his work. A brief conversation was enough for me to want to read the book, and it quickly became my escape throughout the week. This book was full of nostalgia, reminiscent of how literature used to be and diction similar to Tom Sawyer or even our ol’ friend Huckleberry Finn. Written through the eyes of a newly-turned eleven year old boy, Jimmy dreams of going pro as a baseball pitcher and accomplishing two goals this summer: kiss Cindy again and either reclaim his fort or build a new one. The reader is taken through a summer filled with mischief, baseball games, budding romance, conflict and growth as Jimmy navigates life with his crew of friends. He loses his fort, nay, his sanctuary, three times for one reason or another, his friends at some points and befriends the town “bum” who becomes a mentor and coach for his pitching skills.

I absolutely loved this story. It felt warm and cozy as we watch our hero grow not only as a boy, but maturing in wisdom and experience as he learns one lesson after another. He’s imaginative, adventurous and courageous, thinking himself too much of a man to sit in his room to read books and chomping at the bit to spend his days outside. I loved it, and I think anyone of any age will too if they’re looking for something reminiscent of real life — what seems insignificant is really just life, slowly melding us into who we are today.

As with any good coming-of-age story, this one ended with a lasting thought - invoking memories of when we were his age, full of dreams, naivety and excitement for what’s to come: “they would never be the same, but they would be alright”.