Heart Of The Hide

'Heart of the Hide' - A Grand Slam for All Readers

This is an absolutely fabulous book on many levels. The author portrays the complexity of what it's like to be a typical baseball-loving boy, who just happens to have a handicap. It's upbeat, sensitive and deals with situations we've all faced in our lives without becoming pedantic or moralistic. The main character evolves throughout every page, and young readers will be able to identify with the issues he encounters both on and off the field. Plus, it's fun to read, especially if you have kids (or are a kid) and love baseball!

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

What a great book

It has baseball, some good laughs and some sad moments but what stands out is the way nicky learns a lesson in lying to all that love him can hurt. What a great story for all.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

FANTASTIC!

This is truly a book you cannot put down once you start it. It is a wonderful heart warming story about growing up in a small knit family community. The book is written in a way where you become fully immersed with the characters and can't wait to keep reading on. It illustrates very clearly some of lifes lessons and the importance of telling the truth and is a book you will find yourself continually reflecting upon. I cannot wait until the sequel to this comes out and see what transpires next with the gang. A great summer read!

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A book for all ages

As a coach and a teacher I found this to be an excellent book about growing up and making important choices in life. I enjoyed the fact that it revolved around my favorite sport ,baseball. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a heartwarming story about growing up and having the courage to overcome serious handicaps.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

perfect

a perfect book in every aspect. teaches you not to give up on life, or to give up on yourself. very funny, but sad in some parts as well. a good book for anybody, even if you've never played baseball in your life.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Keeps You Wanting More

It's just a warm and wonderful read. As an adult myself, I had no problem fitting into the life of Nicky. It's a book about the lessons of life. Hats off to the author. Can't wait for the next one.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

WoW!!!

As the busy mother of three, I must confess that I haven't read an entire book (for fun) in a very long time. I not only finished Heart of the Hide but I couldn't put it down. I would recommend it to young adults and parents alike, especially if you are a baseball fan. Even without a love for baseball it is an incredible story. The characters seem so real that you can't wait to find out what happens next.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Highly Recommended - FUN, FUN, FUN!!!

Heart of the Hide is a GREAT book!!! A fun loving story about growing up with all the hills and bumps of a teenager. Lots of lessons to learn, lots of great adventures and Fun!!! What anyone should know about this book is that it is FICTION - that means NOT TRUE!! So anyone reading reviews from people who don't know the difference, keep that in mind!
I totally recommend this book for All ages. My whole family read this book and would recommend getting it for your whole family as well.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Great baseball and all around reading for the whole family!!

Not only am I from West Haven, but I am also family to the characters of Gennaro and Jerry and this book brought back so many memories for the entire town. This book speaks on several important issues, but it all come back to the love for the sport. Do not be distracted by bad reviews based on family members of characters that tried to take away from the children, but look at this as a book that can bring back memories of your own childhood. The struggles the characters face are moving and you just can't put the book down. Your children to your grandmother will find happiness and knowledge from this GREAT read.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Extraordinary Creative Genius

'Heart of the Hide' is a powerfully captivating story which brilliantly blends real life and fiction. It is obvious that the author, Lou Petrucci, not only enjoys and understands the game of baseball, but has baseball in his soul as he masterfully conveys life's lessons through West Haven's own Nicky Palmieri, his friends and his family. I must warn you, once you begin to read 'Heart of the Hide', you will find it difficult to put the book down. Nicky Palmieri learns about life, about death, about friendship, about pain, and about love. Mostly, Nicky learns to deal with and overcome many of life's unfair challenges with the love and support of his family and closest friends. As you complete each gripping chapter and anxiously begin the next, you will embrace Nicky, share some of life's joys and sorrows, as you certainly sense the author's own strong passion for the great game of baseball. Readers will enjoy a virtual tour of West Haven, Connecticut, and will easily relate with the Palmieri family, their son Nicky, and his friends from the Kelsey Avenue Crew. I would highly recommend this book to anyone - young or old - whether or not you enjoy baseball. With each chapter I read, I found myself warmly reflecting on my own youth, the sandlot, my own childhood experiences, and the friends along the way that I will remember forever.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

wonderful

i was never really interested in school, it was never fun for me until in sixth grade i had mr.lou pertrucci with his up beat energy and his different learning techniques i enjoyed school everyday and learned how to write which i now love more then anything! mr petrucci taught different then any teacher i know and its exactly how hes writes his books! he keeps you entertained, so entertained that you cant put the book down until its done! it was an amazing book from an amazing writer and i know that theres much more to come from him! i highly reccomend this book to anyone young and old, youll laugh youll cry and i promise you will really enjoy it!

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

AMAZING

I thought the book was absolutely amazing and I would recommend it to both young and old readers. The novel is well written and heartwarming. The characters are well developed. ' Nicky', the main character made me both laugh and cry as he struggled with growing up and the challenges of life and death. The author makes you feel like you want to stand up and cheer for the Kelsey team. Great Book.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

It'll make you laugh and cry

Picked up this book on a rainy Sunday and couldn't put it down. It's described as a young adult reader, but I recommend it for everyone. I originally picked it up as a baseball fan and was quickly surprised that it had many other dimensions. I look forward to any other book this author puts out.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

from the Heart!

Heart of the Hide is an awesome read for all ages. I laughed, cried and rooted for the Kelsey Ave Crew right to the end. It's a story about baseball, friendship and overcoming many obstacles in the life of a 12 year old. I gave it to my 11 year old the minute I finished.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Despicable

While I do agree that this book could possibly be a huge help to many children, I am also sure that this book is a horrible depiction of my deceased Grandfather. The Author had absolutely no permission to use my Grandfather's name or likeness in his book. In fact, he makes my Grandfather out to be a VILLAIN.
My Grandfather - Robert Schotta was an amazing family man. Other than his wife and children his greatest pleasure came from making the town of West Haven greater than it ever was. Without him, the miles of boardwalk, up kept beaches and many parks would never have been.
My Grandfather grew up in the town of West Haven in a time that it was customary to graduate from high school and automatically enlist. He was the Quarterback for West Haven High, and married his High School sweet heart - the captain of the Cheer Leading Squad. He fought in Korea as a Fighting Tiger and returned home safely to father 4 children. In the midst of all of this, West Haven was always his constant. His love for his home town is what drove him to become the Director of Parks and Recreation. When my Grandfather passed he was given high honors by the town of West Haven; his flag flew at Bradley Rock, half massed and he was given an engraved rock at Noise field. He was respected, loved and honored by his peers.
While I understand that in this day in age it is very hard to grasp the concept that a good man only had good intentions for his town and family... it does not give an author any right to use his name/likeness in a deceptive way. To actually portray him as a villain is despicable.
I urge all readers to cast this book aside and stand up for good and honest principles.
Please, do not let my Grandfather's memory be tarnished in any way by this author.

0 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

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