Safe at Second

by Scott Johnson

Book Overview

Todd Bannister has it all: a fastball made for the majors, scouts lining up at his door, a beautiful girlfriend, and his best friend Paulie--his number one fan. It seems nothing can stop the bright... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0399233652
• ISBN13: 9780399233654
• Release Date: June 1999
• Publisher: Philomel Books
• Length: 245 Pages
• Weight: 0.92 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 10 to 14 years
• Grade Range: Grades 5 to 9

Customer Reviews

Stepping Up to the Plate for Todd

Todd Bannister, star pitcher of Edgeville High's baseball team has it all. Agents and scouts court him; he has a bright future in baseball, so it seems. Todd's career is sidelined when he is hit in the eye by a baseball. The eye trauma is so extensive that he loses the eye and, he believes his future in baseball. His friend Paulie won't let him give up. He sticks by Todd through thick and thin, even when Todd's depression leads him into making rash decisions such as drinking at unsupervised parties. Todd loses his abrasive girlfriend Melissa during his long convalescence and the pair re-evaluate their relationship. Todd has plenty of time to think. Baseball was the focus of his life and Paulie's, too. Paulie is the satellite who revolves around Todd; it is in fact Todd's encouragement (and trickery) that got Paulie on the baseball team. An avid Tabletop fan and baseball statistician, Paulie's relationship with Todd appears to be only focussed on one thing - baseball. As Todd recovers mentally and physically from his traumatic injury and psychological repercussions, he encourages Paulie to be more than his personal go-fer. Paulie also copes with some major decision making and evaluation. This is an excellent book that attests to the power of friendship; the love of baseball; team cooperation and taking that team cooperation off the diamond and far beyond. This is an author to watch out for!

Safe at Second

I recently had a choice to read any book I wanted for my class. The book just happened to be Safe at Second. When I first started reading the book, I figured it was going to be just another book about baseball. Something that was boring and wouldn't keep me peeled to the pages. But I was very wrong. Scott Johnson did a fantastic job of twisting things to make them seem unreal, yet very likely. Safe at Second taught me to re-think some things in my life. It also increased my interest in baseball. There isn't many books that I would finish reading in one day! The content and real-life scenarios helped me to relate to the things Todd and Paulie were going through. I could understand both sides clearly, and that made the story all the more interesting. When Todd lost his eye, you could feel the intense moments he went through. You could see how it affected him and Paulie. You could see how he was changed. Todd's story takes you through a tragedy that can be overcome, yet sometimes too devastating to go through. Paulie is also changed by the tragedy. He gets to see who he really is, even if it means changing his ways. Safe at Second made me appreciate the things that I have in my own life. After reading the book, I had more respect for things I owned and the people around me. I learned from the characters in the book that life is more than just what you want, its what you get. But if you give your all, no matter what the outcome will be positive. This book is not one for a specific age group. I would recommend this book for anyone of any age. Whether you are in 3rd grade or in college, Safe at Second will surely keep you on the edge.

A GREAT READ FOR BASEBALL LOVERS BOY OR GIRL

This was a great book. I usually hate having to read but I was staying up half the night to finish the book. This is a great book for anyone that loves baseball. And I loved the way Todd was comitted to get back in the game after he had tried. The way the people in the book think is like real life.

THIS IS THE BEST BOOK EVER.

Do you like baseball? If you answered yes or no to that question, this would be a great book for you. It begins with two best friends playing ball on their high school team- Todd, a superstar, and Paulie, one who isn't so good but makes up for it with his knowledge of the game. Todd has been featured in Sports Illustrated, ten year olds come and ask him for his autograph, and scouts line up at his front door, and his best friend Paulie is his biggest fan.But then Todd gets hit in the eye by a line drive. The doctors have to amputate, and now Todd has to deal with the fact that he's not a superstar anymore. Throughout the book, Todd has his ups and downs- acting deliriously happy and then sobbing because he knows he'll never make it to the majors. Will he be able to cope? Will Paulie let him give up his dream?THis book has everything- it was the only book that ever made me laugh at loud, and the only book that had me sobbing. It's filled with vivd pictures, and all the characters have distinct personalities. I've read this book 6 times, and it never ceases to amaze me.

An amazing well done coming of age drama.

I loved this book. It is the perfect antidote for coming of age stories like VARSITY BLUES. Each choice the writer made was very interesting and kept me guessing as to where the story was headed until the very end.