Title: The Cardturner
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0-385-73662-6
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 315
Quick Review: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I Read It: I saw a brief review in a magazine, focusing on the card playing rather than the story.
Where I Obtained the Book: Got it at my local library.
Synopsis: Alton's great-uncle Trapp is blind, rich, and a great bridge player. When he needs a new cardturner-someone to help him play-Alton's parents make him take the job. At first, Alton is unsure of his uncle and confused by bridge. But slowly, Alton starts to understand both his uncle and the cards being played. He's helped by shy, pretty Toni, the girl that Trapp taught to play bridge. Trapp's goal is to make it to the national bridge championships. When that becomes impossible, it'll be up to Alton and Toni to play for Trapp.
Review: One of the goals of this book is to introduce the game of Bridge to the masses, especially youth. Now if reading this book you feel the desire to learn the game then it is a success. For me, complete success. I even went as far as learning where my local Bridge club was (Thursday afternoon at the senior citizen center – during work hours unfortunately). I ended up playing Hearts on my computer, not quite the same but some similarities.
The narrative overlaying the card playing was quite good as well. A cute love story spanning generations and the grave. Sachar also delves into family, motivations, and the true nature of jealousy. A quick and delightful read.
Author Biography: Louis Sachar, March 20, 1954 - Louis Sachar was born March 20, 1954, in East Meadow, New York. At the age of nine, his family moved to Tustin, California. Sachar attended the University of California, at Berkeley. During his senior year there, he helped out at Hillside Elementary School. It was his experience there that led to his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, written in 1976. After college, he worked for a while in a sweater warehouse in Norwalk, Connecticut, and wrote at night. Then he went to law school, and his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, was accepted for publication during his first week of school. After graduating from Berkeley, Sachar attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, graduating in 1980. He worked part-time as a lawyer for eight years as I continued to write children's books, becoming a full-time writer in 1989 Sideways Stories from Wayside School was named a 1979 Children's Choice Book by a joint committee of the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council. He has also won state awards which were voted upon by children. Sachar is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Authors Guild
Other Reviews:
New York Times
Guardian
Book Page
Author: Louis Sachar
Publisher: Delacorte Press
ISBN: 978-0-385-73662-6
Copyright: 2010
Pages: 315
Quick Review: 4 stars (out of 5)
Why I Read It: I saw a brief review in a magazine, focusing on the card playing rather than the story.
Where I Obtained the Book: Got it at my local library.
Synopsis: Alton's great-uncle Trapp is blind, rich, and a great bridge player. When he needs a new cardturner-someone to help him play-Alton's parents make him take the job. At first, Alton is unsure of his uncle and confused by bridge. But slowly, Alton starts to understand both his uncle and the cards being played. He's helped by shy, pretty Toni, the girl that Trapp taught to play bridge. Trapp's goal is to make it to the national bridge championships. When that becomes impossible, it'll be up to Alton and Toni to play for Trapp.
Review: One of the goals of this book is to introduce the game of Bridge to the masses, especially youth. Now if reading this book you feel the desire to learn the game then it is a success. For me, complete success. I even went as far as learning where my local Bridge club was (Thursday afternoon at the senior citizen center – during work hours unfortunately). I ended up playing Hearts on my computer, not quite the same but some similarities.
The narrative overlaying the card playing was quite good as well. A cute love story spanning generations and the grave. Sachar also delves into family, motivations, and the true nature of jealousy. A quick and delightful read.
Author Biography: Louis Sachar, March 20, 1954 - Louis Sachar was born March 20, 1954, in East Meadow, New York. At the age of nine, his family moved to Tustin, California. Sachar attended the University of California, at Berkeley. During his senior year there, he helped out at Hillside Elementary School. It was his experience there that led to his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, written in 1976. After college, he worked for a while in a sweater warehouse in Norwalk, Connecticut, and wrote at night. Then he went to law school, and his first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, was accepted for publication during his first week of school. After graduating from Berkeley, Sachar attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, graduating in 1980. He worked part-time as a lawyer for eight years as I continued to write children's books, becoming a full-time writer in 1989 Sideways Stories from Wayside School was named a 1979 Children's Choice Book by a joint committee of the International Reading Association and the Children's Book Council. He has also won state awards which were voted upon by children. Sachar is a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Authors Guild
Other Reviews:
New York Times
Guardian
Book Page
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