Pinned

by Alfred C. Martino

Book Overview

Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane couldn't be more different--they come from different backgrounds, different lifestyles, and they have very different values and ways of looking at the world and dealing with people. Yet they both have the drive, determination, and commitment to self-sacrifice necessary to become a champion. In the end, though, only one will stand in the center of the mat with his arms raised in victory.

Has each boy prepared enough?...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0152056319
• ISBN13: 9780152056315
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
• Length: 306 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.0" x 7.0"
• Age Range: 14 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 9 to 12

Customer Reviews

a wrestler's review

Pinned is the brilliant conquest of two wrestlers determined to be state champions. Alfred Martino captures the hardships, and triumphs that a true wrestler faces, when he archives the wrestling season of the two best 129 pound wrestlers in New Jersey. Bobby Zane, and Ivan Korske. Both wrestlers have made wrestling their primary focus, and everything else just revolves around it. Alfred Martino tells the stories of both wrestlers' wrestling season, with great lucidity. Chapter one begins Ivan Korke's story, and chapter two begins bobby Zane's. The chapters alternate between characters. The reader learns that Bobby and Ivan come from completely different backgrounds, and situations, and the only likeness they share is their fixation on the state title. Ivan Korske lives in a more rural farming town with his father. They are still in the grieving process since the passing of Ivan's mother who was a big part of the family. Still, Ivan focuses on his goal, but the byproduct of his loss, is anger, which he unleashes on everyone besides his neighbor, Shelly. They have a friendly relationship, which really helps Ivan, but with the stress of winning state, for everyone in the community, he begins to make the relationship complicated. Is he better off without her? Bobby Zane on the other hand, comes from a rich family, although he also has mother troubles. His mother is bound to her demanding job by long hours away from home. His high school is known through out the state for winning nearly every meet. Bobby spends a lot of time with his girlfriend, Carmelina. Just when he thinks it's time to dump her, so he can focus on wrestling, their relationship (and lives for that matter,) take a HUGE turn. In the final stages of the book, as everyone expected, the state finalists are Bobby Zane, and Ivan Korske. As the reader now loves both wrestlers, this is a gut wrenching moment for the reader, because they know one must lose. I read this book during my wrestling season, and I was so impressed by the true wrestler's experience that went into making a book. It is impossible to replicate the emotion of a wrestling season, unless you have been through them yourself. Alfred Martino and I know, we're wrestlers. We put our bodies and souls through so much, it hurts. But nothing compares, in any other worldly happening, to winning a wrestling match, and having the ref raise your hand. Pinned does a stellar job at capturing this feeling, and sharing the experience.

A novel that dispels the dumb jock stereotype

Wrestling isn't just a sport to Bobby Zane and Ivan Korske. It's a way of life. From the midnight runs to the cutting weight to plotting maneuvers in their sleep, wrestling is all they think about during the winter sports season. Both compete in the 129-pound weight class, and both refuse to let anything stand in the way of the state championship title. Beyond their mutual love of wrestling, however, Bobby and Ivan couldn't be more different. Bobby's school wrestling team is known throughout New Jersey for its winning record. His family, though rich, is troubled by his mother's long working hours and his father's infidelity, and news that Bobby's girlfriend might be pregnant leaves Bobby wondering exactly where his life is headed. Meanwhile, Ivan and his small-town farming father are grieving his mother, who was a strong influence in both their lives, and Ivan's anger and loss are felt by everyone except for his neighbor Shelley, who encourages Ivan's talents. Ivan's only hope of leaving his backwater town of Lemmings is a scholarship to Western Arizona University, but his father wants him to attend college close to home. Each chapter alternates a point of view, taking the reader through both Bobby's and Ivan's journeys to the state championship. Alfred C. Martino, a wrestling fan, brings the excitement of their matches into the story. Both characters have depth and devotion to the people they love, even though their commitment to wrestling sometimes eats away at their relationships. Reading this book will make you think twice about the dumb jock stereotype.    --- Reviewed by Carlie Webber

A must read!

Afred's direct story telling style and the sincerity of his voice take me back to my High School years. Anyone who played H.S. sports, had friends who played sports or witnessed families disintigrating will find this book very accurate. I read it in a few days and though cliched, did have a hard time putting it down. It most definitely took me back to some of my H.S experiences. His portrayal of a young man with a family in crisis is a poignant story within a story.

Surprisingly, a really good book

This book is really quite good. Its characterization of the two "champs" and their dilemas, family situations, hopes and fears, really do transcend simply the sport of wrestling. This book, then, is not merely a wrestling story. It is a story of hopes and dreams and the good and the bad that happens to all of us and how we deal with it. The only little problem I had with it was the ending, which I am not going to reveal here. After waiting and eagerly reading, I had hoped for some more conclusiveness---read the book and you will see what I mean. However, all in all, the book is well written and a joy to read! A job well done by the Author!!!!

Great wrestling book!

I snapped this book up after I saw it mentioned in Amateur Wrestling News.I read it over three nights and really enjoyed it.My older brothers wrestled and one was 4th at the states years ago,losing to the eventual champion in a close match.It's amazing how the matches stay with wrestlers after many years. This was a great read and I couldn't wait to resume reading after work each night.The 2 wrestlers,Ivan & Bobby are very interesting characters.You find yourself rooting for both but knowing only one can win.Besides wrestling, each boy is dealing with other stressful situations in their life.Personally I liked Ivan better and found myself rooting for him to prevail. I also liked how the book showed the weight cutting and sacrifices wrestlers endure.I consider it the toughest sport there is.I recommend you pick this one up.I was thankful I did.