Danger Zone was one of the best sports I’ve ever read. I recommend this book to just about anybody. I have such a high recommendation for it because there was an abundance of action, and a satisfying amount of suspense. It was a book that kept me reading it until I had to stop. Danger Zone kept me wondering what was going to happen in the next chapter. I liked that the book took place in many different locations such as Minnesota, California, and Rome. Having the story in many locations gave me a new picture of the story in my mind. If the story took place just in one location, it may not have been so interesting or entertaining. All the parts of Danger Zone were great, the beginning, the middle, and the end. Danger Zone to me is a unique book.
I’d recommend this book to anyone, because I’m quite sure you’d enjoy it too. A person who likes sports books would enjoy this book especially. I can’t really see anyone not liking this book. I’ve read another book by David Klass. The book is called A Different Season. I thought it was also a great book.
There wasn’t much that I didn’t like about Danger Zone. The beginning was mostly action, but then transferring to suspense nearing the conclusion. I wish there were a sequel, but there isn’t. I rate Danger Zone from a scale from 1-10 a 10 because it made me addicted to it whenever I continued reading it, and to me it became better and better as the story progressed. The storyline was very interesting. Like I said earlier, there is plenty of suspense and action throughout the book.
If you ever want to read an excellent sports book, I strongly recommend that you read Danger Zone.
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Setting of Danger Zone
The setting of Danger Zone takes place in Granham High School at the beginning of the story. The town of Granham is located in Minnesota, and I think Granham is fiction, because I couldn’t find the town of Granham in Minnesota, just the town of Graham, Minnesota. The gymnasium where Jim plays basketball is located behind the Granham High School in a separate building. There, Jim plays and practices basketball. In the gym, there are bleachers that are situated like the bleachers in North. For the time period, I don’t know what it was because the author didn’t say.
When Jim decides to join the U.S.A.,”Teen Dream Team” Jim is flown into Los Angeles, California where he meets the team and also where the team practices before flying to Rome for the tournament. In the area of Los Angeles where the team stays to practice, it’s decent, but surrounding that area there are many neighborhoods where gangs lurk. The story takes place there for a few chapters.
For the majority of the rest of the book, the setting takes place in Rome. The team gets used to the gym there, and they reside in a motel whenever they’re not in the gym. The coaches tell the team they have to stay in the motel and not to wander, but Jim figures he coaches weren’t going to be strict on that. Jim explored the city and visited a flower shop to order flowers to be sent to his girlfriend.
A day after one of the U.S.A.’s Teen Dream Team’s games, The mayor of Rome visited the motel where they were and gravely reported that after Augustus got into a fight with a spectator, the spectator turned out to be a Neo-Nazi and his gang made threats of killing the team. The team was escorted by many bodyguards and they were taken to a military compound to assure their safety. The bedrooms seemed like prison cells to Jim. Jim’s room was quite small. It had one tiny window with bars across it, a lumpy cot in one corner, and the door was thick and solid.
The last change in setting was after the last game in the tournament. The U.S.A Teen Dream Team won, and the spectators crawled over the barriers to get closer to them. Suddenly, a man stepped forward with a gun. He aimed it at Augustus, and a police officer tackled the man. The tackle didn’t stop the man from firing. Jim leaped out of the way, but the bullet hit him in the leg. He was immediately taken to a hospital. The doctors treated the wound as best they could, but Jim’s leg was really messed up. He was taken to a hospital in Rome where the best surgeon was. The surgeon told Jim he wasn’t a miracle worker, and Jim told him to do the best he could. Augustus showed up and stayed with Jim while he got his surgery.
When Jim decides to join the U.S.A.,”Teen Dream Team” Jim is flown into Los Angeles, California where he meets the team and also where the team practices before flying to Rome for the tournament. In the area of Los Angeles where the team stays to practice, it’s decent, but surrounding that area there are many neighborhoods where gangs lurk. The story takes place there for a few chapters.
For the majority of the rest of the book, the setting takes place in Rome. The team gets used to the gym there, and they reside in a motel whenever they’re not in the gym. The coaches tell the team they have to stay in the motel and not to wander, but Jim figures he coaches weren’t going to be strict on that. Jim explored the city and visited a flower shop to order flowers to be sent to his girlfriend.
A day after one of the U.S.A.’s Teen Dream Team’s games, The mayor of Rome visited the motel where they were and gravely reported that after Augustus got into a fight with a spectator, the spectator turned out to be a Neo-Nazi and his gang made threats of killing the team. The team was escorted by many bodyguards and they were taken to a military compound to assure their safety. The bedrooms seemed like prison cells to Jim. Jim’s room was quite small. It had one tiny window with bars across it, a lumpy cot in one corner, and the door was thick and solid.
The last change in setting was after the last game in the tournament. The U.S.A Teen Dream Team won, and the spectators crawled over the barriers to get closer to them. Suddenly, a man stepped forward with a gun. He aimed it at Augustus, and a police officer tackled the man. The tackle didn’t stop the man from firing. Jim leaped out of the way, but the bullet hit him in the leg. He was immediately taken to a hospital. The doctors treated the wound as best they could, but Jim’s leg was really messed up. He was taken to a hospital in Rome where the best surgeon was. The surgeon told Jim he wasn’t a miracle worker, and Jim told him to do the best he could. Augustus showed up and stayed with Jim while he got his surgery.
Description of Main Character 2nd Entry
At the end of Danger Zone, Jim was a dynamic character. He was beside himself near the beginning when some basketball scouts introduced themselves to Jim and asked Jim if he would like to represent the U.S.A in a basketball world tournament for players 17 and under. He told them he couldn’t, and he tried to keep his mom from finding out because she would tell him he had to go, and she would operate the store all on her own.
His mom found out about it and told Jim he should definitely go. Jim reluctantly listened to his mom and told the scouts he would go. The U.S.A team consisted of ten players, and Jim was surprised to see that there are only 3 white players and 7 black players. At his first game with the team, Jim was very nervous because he had never played against or with anyone as good as him.
Later on in the story, Jim is terrified of someone coming to kill him and his team, because Augustus (One of the teammates of the U.S.A Teen Dream Team) picked a fight with a neo-Nazi during one of their games. The country of Rome (The location where the tournament was held) received threats of someone coming to kill the U.S.A team. Rome took every precaution to ensure the safety of the U.S.A team. The leader of Rome took the team to a safe location for them to stay. Jim was so paranoid he slept with the door locked, and made sure the window was locked, even though there were guards guarding the building where the team was sleeping.
As the book progresses, Jim became more comfortable playing basketball with his team and wasn’t so intimidated by other teams, though he was still paranoid about someone coming to kill him. One game when the police leap into the crowd, Jim freezes while he was in possession of the ball. The cops were just breaking up a fight, but it really spooked Jim. He played poorly for the rest of the game, but they still won that round. At the end, Jim and Augustus finally became friendly toward each other. (They hated each other at the beginning of the story)
His mom found out about it and told Jim he should definitely go. Jim reluctantly listened to his mom and told the scouts he would go. The U.S.A team consisted of ten players, and Jim was surprised to see that there are only 3 white players and 7 black players. At his first game with the team, Jim was very nervous because he had never played against or with anyone as good as him.
Later on in the story, Jim is terrified of someone coming to kill him and his team, because Augustus (One of the teammates of the U.S.A Teen Dream Team) picked a fight with a neo-Nazi during one of their games. The country of Rome (The location where the tournament was held) received threats of someone coming to kill the U.S.A team. Rome took every precaution to ensure the safety of the U.S.A team. The leader of Rome took the team to a safe location for them to stay. Jim was so paranoid he slept with the door locked, and made sure the window was locked, even though there were guards guarding the building where the team was sleeping.
As the book progresses, Jim became more comfortable playing basketball with his team and wasn’t so intimidated by other teams, though he was still paranoid about someone coming to kill him. One game when the police leap into the crowd, Jim freezes while he was in possession of the ball. The cops were just breaking up a fight, but it really spooked Jim. He played poorly for the rest of the game, but they still won that round. At the end, Jim and Augustus finally became friendly toward each other. (They hated each other at the beginning of the story)
Description of Main Character 1st Entry
The main character in Danger Zone was Jim Doyle. He was a high school student at Granham High School, in the town of Granham. Jim played basketball, and he was basically the team because the other players on Jim’s team were poor basketball players. The Granham basketball team won their games often thanks to Jim. Jim’s father died of a massive heart attack several years before, and the hardware store he left behind was picked up by Jim’s mom and Jim.
Sometimes while Jim was playing basketball, he became tremendously focused on the game, which athletes call a “zone”, and he was unbeatable while he was in a zone. While in a zone, he made great steals, superb 3-point shots, and excellent lay-ups.
Jim assisted his mom with the hardware store his father left behind. He managed the finances when he helped his mom out. He was caring, and would help his mom whenever she needed it. Whenever Jim went out to parties to celebrate a basketball victory, he always felt a bit guilty for not helping him mom with the hardware store. He had a girlfriend named Janey, and she was a cheerleader for the Granham basketball team. Jim felt very depressed when he thought of his father. Before his father died, he whispered 1 thing to Jim in the ambulance, “Love.” Jim was 11 at the time his father died, and he saw his father pass away. I know Jim still missed him because he became filled with grief whenever someone mentioned him.
Jim considered himself good-looking, but not as handsome as Brad Pitt. He did well in School, filling his report card with A’s and B’s. He claimed that he loved basketball, that it was his life.
Sometimes while Jim was playing basketball, he became tremendously focused on the game, which athletes call a “zone”, and he was unbeatable while he was in a zone. While in a zone, he made great steals, superb 3-point shots, and excellent lay-ups.
Jim assisted his mom with the hardware store his father left behind. He managed the finances when he helped his mom out. He was caring, and would help his mom whenever she needed it. Whenever Jim went out to parties to celebrate a basketball victory, he always felt a bit guilty for not helping him mom with the hardware store. He had a girlfriend named Janey, and she was a cheerleader for the Granham basketball team. Jim felt very depressed when he thought of his father. Before his father died, he whispered 1 thing to Jim in the ambulance, “Love.” Jim was 11 at the time his father died, and he saw his father pass away. I know Jim still missed him because he became filled with grief whenever someone mentioned him.
Jim considered himself good-looking, but not as handsome as Brad Pitt. He did well in School, filling his report card with A’s and B’s. He claimed that he loved basketball, that it was his life.
Monday, November 30, 2009
Conflicts
In Danger Zone, Jim faced numerous challenges. One of them was between Jim and himself. He couldn’t bring himself to let go of his dead father. He believed his father’s death was unjustified. Because of the death, Jim had to assist his mother in maintaining the hardware store. Scouts found Jim and asked him if he would like to join the U.S.A team that consisted of players that were below the age of 17. Jim refused the offer, but Jim’s mother found out and told Jim he should go. Jim agreed to join the team, only if his mother was positive she could handle the store herself. Jim joined the Teen Dream Team, and at the end of the story, realized it wasn’t his father’s fault for dying.
A person-to-person conflict occurred between Jim and one of his teammates, whose name was Augustus. Augustus blamed Jim for taking his cousin’s position in the Teen Dream Team. Jim and Augustus got into a fight because Jim confronted Augustus about Augustus being so hostile toward him. They began arguing and Augustus shoved Jim. The argument turned into a fist fight, but it ended quickly because one of their teammates broke it up. After the squabble, Augustus and Jim were hostile toward each other for a while until Jim attempted to patch up the rift. Augustus ignored Jim’s apologies and continued to resent Jim. They didn’t even acknowledge each other’s presence until the last game. It was the last 5 minutes in the game and the U.S.A. Teen Dream Team was losing. Augustus and Jim were forced to work together to increase their score. The clock rapidly ticked a way until there were just a mere 5 seconds left. Augustus flipped the ball to Jim, and he made an awkward toss to the basket. The ball bounced on the rim and fell through the hoop. A man from the audience jumped out of the crowd and aimed a gun at Augustus. Jim jumped out of the way as a police officer tackled the man, and the shot went wide. It hit Jim and he was transported to a hospital. He had to have surgery to repair his leg, and Augustus visited him and asked him why Jim took his bullet. Jim explained that he was trying to get out of the way, but he happened to fly right in the path of the bullet. Augustus apologized for blaming Jim for taking his cousin’s spot and for being so hostile.
Danger Zone also had a people vs. other force conflict. The other force in Danger Zone was the other teams in the tournament. The U.S.A Teen Dream Team competed against teams in other countries such as Sweden, Rome, and Germany.
A person-to-person conflict occurred between Jim and one of his teammates, whose name was Augustus. Augustus blamed Jim for taking his cousin’s position in the Teen Dream Team. Jim and Augustus got into a fight because Jim confronted Augustus about Augustus being so hostile toward him. They began arguing and Augustus shoved Jim. The argument turned into a fist fight, but it ended quickly because one of their teammates broke it up. After the squabble, Augustus and Jim were hostile toward each other for a while until Jim attempted to patch up the rift. Augustus ignored Jim’s apologies and continued to resent Jim. They didn’t even acknowledge each other’s presence until the last game. It was the last 5 minutes in the game and the U.S.A. Teen Dream Team was losing. Augustus and Jim were forced to work together to increase their score. The clock rapidly ticked a way until there were just a mere 5 seconds left. Augustus flipped the ball to Jim, and he made an awkward toss to the basket. The ball bounced on the rim and fell through the hoop. A man from the audience jumped out of the crowd and aimed a gun at Augustus. Jim jumped out of the way as a police officer tackled the man, and the shot went wide. It hit Jim and he was transported to a hospital. He had to have surgery to repair his leg, and Augustus visited him and asked him why Jim took his bullet. Jim explained that he was trying to get out of the way, but he happened to fly right in the path of the bullet. Augustus apologized for blaming Jim for taking his cousin’s spot and for being so hostile.
Danger Zone also had a people vs. other force conflict. The other force in Danger Zone was the other teams in the tournament. The U.S.A Teen Dream Team competed against teams in other countries such as Sweden, Rome, and Germany.
Themes/Lessons
The main character, (Jimmy) in the book I read, learned many lessons. One of them was, “Don’t dwell on the past. Move on.” I believe this is an important lesson because Jimmy had flashbacks throughout the book about his father dying. Jimmy thought that his father’s death was unjustified, and he believed that his father died way too young, and Jimmy thought he should’ve still been living. Jimmy’s father’s name was William. Jimmy repeatedly had flashbacks of watching his father behind the counter of his hardware store counting the finances and bills, when William suddenly dropped onto the floor. Jimmy immediately dialed 911. He stayed by his father’s side until the ambulance came, pleading with William not to die. The ambulance arrived, and Jimmy rode with. Before William died, he rasped one word. “Love”
Another theme I found was, “If you don’t get along very well with someone, at least treat them with respect.” I think this is a theme because Jimmy didn’t get along with one of his teammates, whose name was Augustus. Augustus resented Jimmy in the beginning of the story because Jimmy took the place in the U.S.A. team that Augustus believed belonged to his cousin. Jimmy and Augustus got into a fight in their first practice. Before the fight began, Jimmy confronted Augustus because he wanted to find out why Augustus hated him so much. The fight started with words, then switched to fists when Augustus shoved Jimmy, and Jimmy lost his cool and punched him. Augustus fell, then picked himself up and pounded Jimmy first in the stomach, then in the side of his head. Before the fight became any worse, a teammate stepped in and broke it up.
Throughout the story, Jimmy and Augustus ignored each other until the very end. It was the last game in the tournament, and The U.S.A. team won. A man from the bleachers suddenly pulled a gun out of his pocket and aimed it at Augustus. A police officer tackled the man, but not soon enough to stop him from firing. Jimmy tried to get out of the way, but the bullet hit him in the leg. Jimmy was taken to a hospital in Rome and he decided to have surgery in Rome since the best surgeon was there. Augustus showed up and told Jim he felt guilty that Jim took the bullet that was meant for himself. The two forgave each other and Augustus helped wheel Jim down the hospital hall to the surgery room.
Another theme I found was, “If you don’t get along very well with someone, at least treat them with respect.” I think this is a theme because Jimmy didn’t get along with one of his teammates, whose name was Augustus. Augustus resented Jimmy in the beginning of the story because Jimmy took the place in the U.S.A. team that Augustus believed belonged to his cousin. Jimmy and Augustus got into a fight in their first practice. Before the fight began, Jimmy confronted Augustus because he wanted to find out why Augustus hated him so much. The fight started with words, then switched to fists when Augustus shoved Jimmy, and Jimmy lost his cool and punched him. Augustus fell, then picked himself up and pounded Jimmy first in the stomach, then in the side of his head. Before the fight became any worse, a teammate stepped in and broke it up.
Throughout the story, Jimmy and Augustus ignored each other until the very end. It was the last game in the tournament, and The U.S.A. team won. A man from the bleachers suddenly pulled a gun out of his pocket and aimed it at Augustus. A police officer tackled the man, but not soon enough to stop him from firing. Jimmy tried to get out of the way, but the bullet hit him in the leg. Jimmy was taken to a hospital in Rome and he decided to have surgery in Rome since the best surgeon was there. Augustus showed up and told Jim he felt guilty that Jim took the bullet that was meant for himself. The two forgave each other and Augustus helped wheel Jim down the hospital hall to the surgery room.
Monday, November 2, 2009
BR #2: Black Duck First Entry
I’m reading the Black Duck. I think the book is okay so far. I like that Black Duck doesn’t become boring. There are plenty of events that keep you entertained. I appreciate the book is easy to understand.
Ruben, the main character, has had to make quite a few decisions. One was when Ruben and Jeddy found a dead body. They had to decide what to do, call the police, stay there and watch over the body, or leave the body to the police. He and Jeddy decided to call the police and they left the body thinking it would be alright, but the police called a little while later and told them they didn’t find any body where the boys told them it was. Later, Ruben studies what he took from the body. He had a smoking pipe and tobacco pouch. He didn’t know if he should hand the items over to the police, or keep them. He thought it over and decided to keep the items. Another decision he had to make was when he found out that there was a torn $50 dollar bill in the tobacco pouch, and an older boy Ruben knew asked him if he took anything off the body like a torn bill or the half of something else because it would probably be a ticket, something an alcohol smuggler would have to show the captain of the freighter shipping his liquor that he was the right smuggler. Ruben had to decide to tell the boy (Billy) that he did have an item like that, or decide to keep it a secret. If I was in Ruben’s position, I most likely would have made the same decisions. If Billy would’ve asked me that question, I would’ve been suspicious of why he would want to know. If I found a body, I’d report it immediately to the police.
Ruben isn’t really anything like me. He was alive during the Alcohol Prohibition period. I wasn’t. Another way he isn’t like me is he enjoys skipping school whenever he is able to, but I won’t. One of the very few similarities I can think of between Ruben and I is we are both boys.
I have learned that The Alcohol Prohibition was during the 1920’s, and lasted 13 years. I have also learned Newport, the town Ruben lived in, is located on the coast of Rhode Island.
So far I would rate this book an 8 because the book keeps me entertained. I think it’s interesting. I think it’s interesting because this book is the first book that I’ve read that’s based on the Alcohol Prohibition.
Ruben, the main character, has had to make quite a few decisions. One was when Ruben and Jeddy found a dead body. They had to decide what to do, call the police, stay there and watch over the body, or leave the body to the police. He and Jeddy decided to call the police and they left the body thinking it would be alright, but the police called a little while later and told them they didn’t find any body where the boys told them it was. Later, Ruben studies what he took from the body. He had a smoking pipe and tobacco pouch. He didn’t know if he should hand the items over to the police, or keep them. He thought it over and decided to keep the items. Another decision he had to make was when he found out that there was a torn $50 dollar bill in the tobacco pouch, and an older boy Ruben knew asked him if he took anything off the body like a torn bill or the half of something else because it would probably be a ticket, something an alcohol smuggler would have to show the captain of the freighter shipping his liquor that he was the right smuggler. Ruben had to decide to tell the boy (Billy) that he did have an item like that, or decide to keep it a secret. If I was in Ruben’s position, I most likely would have made the same decisions. If Billy would’ve asked me that question, I would’ve been suspicious of why he would want to know. If I found a body, I’d report it immediately to the police.
Ruben isn’t really anything like me. He was alive during the Alcohol Prohibition period. I wasn’t. Another way he isn’t like me is he enjoys skipping school whenever he is able to, but I won’t. One of the very few similarities I can think of between Ruben and I is we are both boys.
I have learned that The Alcohol Prohibition was during the 1920’s, and lasted 13 years. I have also learned Newport, the town Ruben lived in, is located on the coast of Rhode Island.
So far I would rate this book an 8 because the book keeps me entertained. I think it’s interesting. I think it’s interesting because this book is the first book that I’ve read that’s based on the Alcohol Prohibition.
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