Muddville by Kutris Scaletta, was a very complex book. I would give it 4 out of 5 stars. I liked the book, but there was something’s that I would change. I found the setting interesting, the characters interesting, but the plot was too much for me. I felt like there were way too many things going on and I didn’t know which one to worry about. Even though there were some disliked, I still enjoyed this book very much. The main character is Roy . He is a 12 year old boy who loves Baseball. He doesn’t have the greatest family. His mom is always traveling so he barely sees her and his father is working most of the time. Is it has been raining in the town for almost 22 years and it doesn’t look like it is stopping anytime soon. If he plays baseball, he has goes to the town next door where it is dry. When Roy comes home from baseball camp (from the other town) he finds a boy named Sturgis sleeping on his couch. He comes to realize that he is his new adopted brother. His father brought him in from a nearby foster home. They soon become good friends. A few days later the impossible happens. The rain stops! People from the town think this is amazing, but for Roy’s family this is a disaster. This is because Roy’s dad’s job is to make houses water proof. Now no one needs this service anymore. At this point in the book it was a little confusing for me. This is because there was too much going on. There were multiple problems. The first problem is, will Roy’s dad lose his job? The second problem involves Roy wanting to play in a rematch against a baseball team that was never finished from 22 years ago because of the rain. The third concern is will the rain come back. When the book ended most of the problems were solved, but I didn’t feel much of a climax, I felt as if the problems were solved before they became big. Yet overall I very much enjoyed the story and the message. I still give this book a 4 out of 5 stars because I enjoyed it, but I was confused at some points. Something to end this review in a positive note was the message in the book and that was to “never give up even at the hardest times” I love baseball and at my school it is not the favored sport. I pulled out three baseball chapter books that I hadn't read and challenged myself to read it and maybe spark students to read them as well. Moundville and Sinister Bend are two connecting towns that played a rival baseball game for years. One year the baseball game went awry and was rained out and it didn't stop raining for many years. This book tells the tale of one boy, his father, and his cousin the year the rain stopped and how they brought baseball back and changed their own history. Friendship and rivalry are the main themes.
What do You think about Mudville (2009)?
Kind of looks like Mike Lupica's books... I don't know if this book will be for girls,boys,or both.
—Elmo
Great for baseball lovers. Funny and the kids felt fresh and real.
—mayank
It was difficult to read not that it was hard, just sluggish.
—soumya
Good for sports readers who have outgrown Matt Christopher.
—jmdslade
