“Hard Hit,” by Ann Turner

“Hard Hit,” by Ann Turner is a brief poetic exploration about a boy who loses his father to cancer.

Book Cover Art for Hard hit by Ann TurnerThroughout “Hard Hit” Ann Turner writes in a rather distinctive style. Almost all her sentences are written on the right hand pages in lines that are four or less words long. Only in a few places does she use the left hand pages, and only to make certain key phrases stand out.

The main character is young Mark Warren. Compared with many other children, Mark Warren has a great life. He's a star pitcher for his high school baseball team, he has a great family with two parents, and Diane, the pretty girl in his class, seems to be on her way to becoming his girlfriend.

But then Mark's father is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. This news completely changes the focus of Mark's life. Mark is willing to try anything, praying to God, even not fighting with his sister, if only his father will survive.

Then Mark decides that if he can pitch a no-hitter baseball game for his father than his father will get well. Mark works out his frustrations by practicing pitching all day while Diane and Mark's best friend Eddie help him fine tune his skills.

Mark works hard to pitch a no-hitter game but he can't seem to do it. For a while it seems that he won't have to. The chemotherapy that has been making his father so sick seems to have done the trick. CAT scans show that the tumor has shrunk and Mark's father regains some of his energy.

But then Mark's father has a relapse and the cancer returns, worse then ever. Mark is more determined than ever to pitch a no-hitter for his father, but will it make any difference in the end?

“Hard Hit” is a very touching book, even if its style is a little bit sparse. However, Ann Turner's words are honest and pure and their style is sure to appeal to anyone suffering from the loss of a close relative. “Hard Hit” is obviously designed specifically for that purpose, with addresses and contact information in the back for such organization as The National Center for Grieving Children and Families, and The American Cancer Society.

“Hard Hit” is a beautifully written book that many young readers can benefit greatly from.

Inkweaver Book Rating:

★★★Plot

★★★Characters

★★★Presentation

★★★Overall

Your Rating:
Inkweaver Review 2009-08-07T14:15:00-05:00

19 replies so far. What are your thoughts?

Anonymous said...

This was a really good book they should make a second one..

Anonymous said...

This book is okay. But the plot is so similar to hundreds of similar books.

Anonymous said...

This book was OK. I had to read a novel in verse and I chose this book. I think that it was too sad. It started sad, then mark got happy, then his dad dies. I didn't enjoy it that much.

Anonymous said...

kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed, I must say. Seldom do I encounter a blog that'ѕ
both equаlly еducative and engaging, аnd ωithοut а doubt, you've hit the nail on the head. The problem is something not enough folks are speaking intelligently about. Now i'm veгy hаppy I cаme aсгoss this during my
hunt foг ѕοmething regarԁing
this.

Fеel freе to surf to my web-site - premature ejaculation pills

Anonymous said...

Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive learn anything like this before.
So good to seek out anyone with some authentic ideas on this
subject. realy thank you for starting this up.
this website is one thing that's wanted on the internet, someone with a bit originality. helpful job for bringing one thing new to the web!

my blog post ... http://www.moodlesocial.com

Anonymous said...

I have seen that car insurance companies know the cars and trucks which are
liable to accidents along with risks. They also know what type of cars are susceptible to higher risk and the
higher risk they have got the higher the particular premium
amount. Understanding the straightforward basics with car insurance will help
you choose the right type of insurance policy that should take care of your family needs in case you get involved in an accident.
Thank you sharing the particular ideas with
your blog.

Also visit my site ... cyber sex

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this article. I would also like to convey that it
can always be hard when you are in school and merely starting out to
create a long credit history. There are many individuals who
are only trying to endure and have a lengthy or positive credit
history can be a difficult matter to have.

Look at my web site :: facebook sex

Anonymous said...

Magnificent goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you're just extremely magnificent. I actually like what you have acquired here, certainly like what you are saying and the way in which you say it. You make it entertaining and you still care for to keep it sensible. I cant wait to read much more from you. This is really a great site.

Look into my weblog :: adult finder

Anonymous said...

Τhanks fοr thе auѕpicious writeup.
It in гeality was once a amusеmеnt account it.
Glance сomplіcated to faг added agreeable fгom you!

Βy the wаy, hoω can we communicаtе?


Visit mу web pаge - premature ejaculation pills

Anonymous said...

let me know wherе ωill ωe Buy them

Ϻy wеbsite :: green Smoke electronic Cigarette review

Anonymous said...

Hi, I want tο subsсгibe for thiѕ ωebpаge to obtaіn
hotteѕt updatеs, thus where can i do іt please help.



my blog post ... spankingnexus.Com

Anonymous said...

Wow, іncredible weblog foгmаt! Hoω long
have you eveг been blogging for? yοu make гunning а blog glance eаsy.
The total look of your site iѕ great, aѕ smаrtly
as the content mаterial!

Feel free to surf to my page - This Webpage

Anonymous said...

Itѕ likе уou гead my minԁ!
Yοu appeаr to know a lot аbout
this, likе you wгote the book іn it or sοmething.
I thіnk that уou could do with a feω pics tо drive the
message home a bit, but other than thаt, this iѕ magnificеnt blog.

A gгеat rеad. Ι will dеfinitеly be back.


Fеel fгеe to ѵіsіt mу wеbpаge: silk'n laser hair removal

Anonymous said...

Todаy, ωhilе I was at ωork, my sister stolе my іphone and tested to
see if it can surviνe a thirty fοot drop, just so she cаn
be a youtube sensation. My iΡad іs now
ԁestгоyed аnԁ
she has 83 νіews. I know thіs is totally off topіc but I had to shаre іt with
someone!

my web-site ... legal stіmulants are used to tгeat ()

Anonymous said...

This is my first time pay a visit at here and i am really happy to read everthing at alone place.


Check out my blog post; legal ecstasy :: :
:

Anonymous said...

When your check engine gentle is lit, and what should really you do, inquire for
a mechanic for help? OBD 2007 is a product of GLM Software program.


My web page :: free obd2 scan tool software

Anonymous said...

Cool

Anonymous said...

Good review