Throwing Stones

by Kristi Collier

Can Andy live up to his brother's basketball legacy? When Andy Soaring's older brother, Pete, died in World War I, Andy's life changed forever. Now, five years later, Andy is fourteen and beginning to feel the weight of his brother's legacy, especially when he holds Pete's basketball in his hands. Andy dreams of leading his high-school team to the Indiana state tournament, as his brother did before him. If only Andy could be a basketball star, maybe he could ease his parents' sadness, and, more important, feel like he truly belongs to his family. But when Andy lets pride get in the way--over a girl, no less--all bets are off. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition, this stunning novel tells of one boy's search for answers--and the perfect free throw.

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

Reviews

[Brooke J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throwing Stones is about a boy named Andy, who lives in a small town in Indiana called Pierre. Andy is a freshman in high school and believes that he can carry the school's basketball team to a state victory, like his older brother Pete, who died in the war. One night Andy and his best friend Ham sneak out to the carnival, where they meet a boy named Benny. He challenges Andy to a shootout and it ends up being tied. They shoot for hours and neither of them ever misses shot. When it comes to school time Andy starts to get feeling for Ham's brother Annaliese. He tries to prove that he is better than Benny so he tries to ride her untamed horse. He ends up falling off and breaks his arm. He then ends up missing almost the entire basketball season and Benny steals his spotlight. I thought this book was pretty good, except for the fact that it is kind of confusing in some parts, because it takes place a long time ago.

[Jacque P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was a really good book. If you are one of those people how like the Criminal Mines movies or mystery, then you will love this book. When I first read it, I thought it was just a sad story about a boy how lost his brother in War. But it is so not. I literally was holding my breath in while I was reading because some parts are so intense it almost feels like you are the victim.

One thing I love about this book is the authors word description. I love how it almost made me feel like I was part of this movie and that I was Andy making these decisions and facing my dreams. I definitely encourage people to read this book, but I highly recommend it reading two times. For a few reasons, one, at the end, it reveals the answer to the whole story and why this happen and why he said this. So to completely understand this book, you have to reread it again so you understand all the little clues that the author gives you. Unfortunately, I had a very short amount of time to read this so I only read it once. But for people who love to read and have a lot of free time, I highly suggest this book.

I think the author did a really good job with the little clues and even the details that he puts into it. While reading this book there is one thing you have to keep in your mind. This book sets in the year 1920’s so it was kind of hard for me to read because I was thinking it was set in 2000’s but its not. And there are a lot of changes from then to now with money and how things worked. Also I feel like this book teaches you a little bit about history. Mainly just some things that were invented in the 1920’s and how alcohol was banned. They talk a lot about bootleggers and how they made sheds in the woods to make alcohol. But this book is really good. I honestly would read it again if I had the time because this book is just so shocking at the end, it makes you remember what happen and all the clues that the author gives you.

[Rigo R · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such an amazing book, it was well written, and was written in Historical Fiction. This book was very touching because this took place right after World War I and this kid named Andrew Soaring is trying to keep his dead brother's basketball legacy alive. He is in High School and is going through very hard times with being a farmer and now questioning a lot of things. If you like intense, touching, action, and humor, this is a great book I would recommend to you. I also could not put this book down because it is one of my favorite books so far.

[Emily D. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the setting of 1920’s Indiana with the farms and lime quarries, and I learned some history about the beginnings of basketball from this historical fiction. I was disappointed in the main character through much of the story but I love how he grew and learned and became braver.

[Hellokitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

The novel that I read was "Throwing Stones" which was written by Kristi Collier. The novel was about a boy named Andy whose brother died in World War I, Now Andy is fourteen and now he wants to take on his brothers legacy so he starts to play basketball to follow in his brothers footsteps. His all-time dream in the novel was to lead his High School's basketball team to victory in the big tournament, the same as his brother did. He thought that if he becomes a basketball star he could relieve his parents sadness and he maybe can feel like he belongs in his familoy because that's what his brother did. But once he meets this girl he lets his pride get in the way and all the bets are off. Once he makes that perfect free throw his dreams is complete and he lives under his brother's name.
The author's purpose in writing this book was to entertain and send a message out to the reader, to say when your mind is set out on something you want to achieve you can do it just keep you heart out strong on it. So the author did achieve her purpose in the novel, the character that I could relate to in the story is Andy because he feels just like I feel at times that he doesn't belong so I can relate to him. I enjoyed this book a lot the author painted an imagery in my head, she used descriptive words, and often did a lot of use of figurative language. I would reccommend this book to mature teens and not anyone who can't handle a book like this.

[West Region,]

Throwing Stones by Kristi Collier

Andy wants nothing more than to make the varsity team, outshine his brother, and be a hero to his father. And he is good, really good at shooting baskets. But when school starts, there’s Ben; both are freshmen, both have starting positions on the same varsity basketball team, and both like the same girl.

Unfortunately, Andy’s dream of being a small-town hero is threatened when he is sidelined by an injury. When he starts writing a high-school sports column for the local paper, Andy has a chance to go after Ben in the worst way because Andy is as good at throwing stones as he is at throwing a basketball. And it won’t be hard, because Ben is an outsider, a “carnie”—someone everyone regards with suspicion.

Will Andy hit the target and bring down his rival? To find out, read Throwing Stones by Kristi Collier.

Grades 5-9. AHG-0732. Fiction—Coming of age.
Carolyn D. Reed, 1/15/08

[Dy'talzha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing ! It was because it felt as if I was in the book with the characters as the moments were happening. Plus the fact that I like basketball the only thing that was weird in the book that the rules from the 1800s , they were a little confusing . But I'm glad in the end Bennie and Andy were friends. Also I like that the author had went step by step on how Andy was processing in the book . From when he broke his arm , to when he caught the sheriff with the alcohol. The book was a good one!

[Graysen Drezek]

It was a great book. I kinda didn't like how he broke his arm and couldn't play, but then when he came back he wasn't that good. After he gained back his greatness on the court it was good. It was also sad when he told us that his brother died in the army. It said he was also a great basketball player himself. I lked how he got in the free throw contest and almost one. Overall i would rate this book as a 10.O

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

The first person account of Andy Soaring’s Freshman year playing basketball, living on a farm near a quarry, competing with his brother and still grieving for his older brother, Pete, who had died during WWI as a soldier but of influenza. Themes of family, grief, teamwork, honesty, basketball, scholarship, friends, and community.

[Trevor Waggoner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book I would recommend this book to anybody. his book talks about a young boy that lives in a small town in Indiana. This book would be good for anyone that has watched or played basketball this would be a good book for them. This book is written by Kristi Collier. The climax of this book is one of the best climax I have read.

[Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was so good I could read it and it would still be fun to read.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for the middle school boy. Set in 1920s, small town Indiana. Unique perspective.

[Donovan Prease · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recommend Throwing Stones by Kristi Collier because of how well written the book was and it keeps you entertained.