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Reviewed by Alex Ndirangu for Readers' Favorite
Sour Apples by Paul Jantzen transports us to 1975 Walnut Creek. Here we meet 11-year-old Jimmy Hamilton. Jimmy has fought many battles—both real and imaginary. But nothing compares to when he battled to protect his tree fort. It is over fifteen feet up an old tree, and to reach the door, one has to dangle 12 feet in the air. It makes Jimmy feel important—in fact, he just might be a king. Through his wild imagination and weaponry (plastic swords and stick guns), Jimmy has fought and subdued all the monsters who tried to take his tree fort. Let's take on bigger, more urgent problems. Baseball season will be here soon enough, and he needs to be a great pitcher—he needs to be a champion. Then there's that girl, Cindy, from school. Why does life seem very much like biting into a sour apple?
Whether you're 12 or 70, nothing stops you from enjoying Sour Apples. It's captivating and nostalgic. Thrilling escapades kick off within the first few minutes and grip your attention with exciting characters and immediate action. Paul Jantzen's descriptions are so vivid that you can almost see the boys sprint across the forest floor against a foggy background and smell Mom's pancakes wafting across the dining room. Jantzen's brilliant storytelling, combined with rich and detailed depictions of scenes, takes your mind to the suspense and adventures that very often lead to hilarious situations. Enchanting lighthearted moments carry you through this vibrant world of young characters and action until everything comes to a bittersweet knot that promises us more of Jimmy. The message in the narrative is sure to inspire young minds to soar with imagination and creativity. Most importantly, the themes encourage resilience, hope, and determination. Dive right in!
