Review of Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel

[Magdalyne chebet]

"Switch-Hitter" sounds like a truly unique tennis story! An ambidextrous prodigy overcoming challenges with a homeless coach, plus an unborn narrator? That's wild! The uplifting message and tennis insights definitely intrigue me. I'm curious to see how Barnaby Starr weaves this unusual tale. Congrats BOTD!

[Judy Burr]

Thank you for the review. I read the sample. Samuel tells the story of this mother, Sheila. A talented tennis player at 11 years old lost her parents because of cancer and prison. She luckily lived with her paternal grandparents, also avid tennis lovers, with a clay court in the yard. Grief has gripped her, and she needs help to pick up her racket again.

[Chinazo Anozie]

I'm not much of a fan of sports novels, and I don't really get tennis, so I may not be the best audience to appreciate Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel by Barnaby Starr. I'll be skipping this one.

[Moisés Alcántara Ayre]

I love the book and how it stresses the role of having and developing a positive attitude; this story is perfect for anyone who would like to read about a woman's journey and the impact from others on her attitude and what she can achieve later.

[Jose Phine]

Switch-Hitter by Barnaby Starr
"Switch-Hitter" is an inspiring novel about perseverance and overcoming adversity. Sheila's journey from loss to triumph is uplifting and motivational. With its unique blend of tennis knowledge and life lessons, this book is a must-read for young adults and sports enthusiasts alike. A feel-good story that hits home.
"Switch-Hitter" is an inspiring novel about perseverance and overcoming adversity. Sheila's journey from loss to triumph is uplifting and motivational. With its unique blend of tennis knowledge and life lessons, this book is a must-read for young adults and sports enthusiasts alike. A feel-good story that hits home.

[Jose Phine]

Switch-Hitter by Barnaby Starr
"Switch-Hitter" is an inspiring novel about perseverance and overcoming adversity. Sheila's journey from loss to triumph is uplifting and motivational. With its unique blend of tennis knowledge and life lessons, this book is a must-read for young adults and sports enthusiasts alike. A feel-good story that hits home.
The novel follows Sheila, an 11-year-old ambidextrous tennis player who quits the sport after her father’s death and mother’s imprisonment but with the help of Nigel a tennis coach, she would be able to return to tennis and navigate obstacles.

[Shirley Ann Riddern Labzentis]

Great review! The story sounds interesting, but the negatives that you mentioned are making me doubt whether I want to try this book. My husband is ambidextrous, and it amazes me how he can use both hands to do everything, even write with both hands.

[azza lia]

I read the book sample. I agree the writing style is unconventional. The non-chronological timeline and the narrative of the unborn baby may be bothering me. But I enjoyed some animated movies with this style. I'm not really into sports-based books. But I'm rooting for Sheila's comeback. The message from this story is beyond the world of sports. Thank you for the honest review.

[Seamstress]

Definitely not my cup of tea, because nor do I like or know anything about tennis and therefore sports-based book holds no interest to me. Sheila's dedication to achieving her dream is very admirable, but I still don't like sports and prefer to skip the book. Congratulations with BOTD, anyway!

[Surabhi Rani]

'Official Review: Switch-Hitter, A Tennis Novel' by Barnaby Starr provides a vivid and thorough glimpse into the young adult book's content. This is a story of Sheila's journey as she struggles to become the first ambidextrous amateur to be a grand slam champion. The author aims to show how much of an impact a positive attitude can have. Readers will enjoy the technical tennis knowledge Starr includes. They will also enjoy his knowledge of infants as a retired pediatrician. It was great to learn that the motivational message in the book will appeal to any sport activity or academic achievement!

[LiyLoe225]

The book sample was okay. I’m not really a sports person, but from what I’ve gathered; Samuel was telling his story from his POV from in his mother’s womb. Sheila was telling her story of how she was a young girl & her father knew she would be an athlete because of how she would drop her pacifier out of her mouth and would catch them with either hand before it would hit the table making her ambidextrous. Her father Dusty was a famous baseball player & ended up eventually passing away from chewing a lot of dip.

[Increase Nkechinyere]

Switch-Hitter, a Tennis Novel" by Barnaby Starr.
I found the way the author used a somewhat messy timeline to tell his story very intriguing, something that makes us wonder why he created a story this way, but there doesn't seem to be an answer to that in the book.
It's always great to read an inspiring story, especially when the focus is on showing the positive impact it can have on .
Thanks for the review

[Rose Angela]

Switch-Hitter by Barnaby Starr follows Sheila, an ambidextrous tennis player who plays with two forehands. After her father’s untimely death, she quits the sport but is later drawn back in, teaming up with an older Bahamian coach. The novel explores ambition, resilience, and overcoming obstacles on the path to greatness

[María Andrea Fernández Sepúlveda]

The biggest negative for me concerns the third narrator, Sam. In the beginning of the book, Sam is an unborn child narrating from the womb. He later describes his birth, his physical development, and his relationship with his parents as a newborn. The author is a retired pediatrician, so his knowledge of infants is credible and factual, but I had a problem accepting Sam's inner dialogue and his emotional insights.

Another negative for me was the format used for the chapters. They did not begin on a new page, nor were they numbered. There was always a pertinent tennis rule centered somewhere on a page. Underneath the quote was the name of the narrator and a time period. For example, the first chapter was "Samuel-to-be (the present)." The next chapter was "Sheila (five years ago)," followed by "Nigel Rulle (8 years ago)." The time periods jumped back and forth until the last part of the book, where it stayed in the present. I understand the author's choice, but it was difficult to sort it all out.

That seems confusing. And I really hope the baby talking is not one of those sappy anti-abortion speeches. But, overall, it seems like a unique book with a very interesting cast of characters.
Fantastic review!

[Maria Eduarda de Oliveira]

Switch-Hitter: A Tennis Novel by Barnaby Starr is an inspiring story about overcoming challenges, identity, and perseverance. The protagonist journey on and off the court offers an emotional portrayal of personal and social struggles, making this novel an engaging and motivating read.