Carl Deuker's Official Website


PRAISE FOR PAINTING THE BLACK


"An excellent sports story, with a lot more to it than just the game of baseball."--VOYA

"An exciting and moving novel. . . resonant and inspiring."--Kirkus Review

* "It ain't pretty, but it's real."--Bulliten, starred review

"A well-crafted sports novel that delivers."--School Library Journal

"The well-written sports scenes will draw readers, but it is Ryan's moral courage that will linger when the reading is done."--Booklist

An ALA Best book for the Young Adults

A New York City Library Book for the Teen Age

A Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Winner

READER REVIEW


"I have only read one of your amazing books, however, I hope to read more. The awesome book I read was 'Painting the Black.' This excited me because I am super crazy about baseball. 'Painting the Black' is so great I looked forward to reading time in school."--Jeremy, California

PAINTING THE BLACK

To buy Painting the Black, please click here.
On-line booksellers
AMAZON.COM READER RATING: 4.5 STARS

SUMMARY


In his senior year of high school, late-bloomer Ryan Ward has just begun to feel the magic of baseball: the magic of catching a wicked slider, of throwing a runner out, of training hard and pushing his limits. But when one of his teammates clearly pushes the limits too far, Ryan is faced with a heartbreaking dilemma: He must choose between his love for the game and his integrity.

EXCERPT


"Who did it Ryan?"
"I told you. I don't know."
"No idea at all."
"None," I said.
He ran his fingertips over his lips. "You did a good thing, Ryan, saving that grl. A very good thing. Don't undo it by lying. The police have been called. A detective will be talking to you. Think about what you're going to say. This wasn't somebody's homework that got copied. This was a criminal assault."

For more information, click a link below.

Fiction
Deception on and off the field. A football story, and much more.
Young Adult Fiction
Bigger, Faster, Stronger--that's what Mick Johnson needs to become if he's to fulfill his dream of becoming a star running back not just in high school, but in college and beyond. But how does a person keep getting bigger, stronger, and faster?
A dramatic and accurate portrayal of the game of baseball and life.
For Ryan giving up baseball now would mean getting off the most exciting ride of his life.
Baseball, the loss of a parent, the temptations, of adolescence.
Joe Faust is ashamed of only two things. First, that he goes to a private school. Second, that he sold his soul to the devil.
Mystery/Thriller
Chance knows what he's doing is risky, but it's only for a short time. Nothing can really go wrong . . . or can it?
Young Adult Fiction -- Winner of the 1993 Golden Sower Award.
A life on the brink. . . A basketball season to remember.
Short Stories

Links to book "trailer," bookstores and reviews.

Secret Garden Bookstore, Seattle.
Order from Secret Garden, an independent bookstore in my neighborhood, and you will receive an AUTOGRAPHED copy.
Click here to see a short movie (trailer) made by Jamie Stone for RUNNER. Thank you, Jamie, and good luck with your film career. Thanks, Lucy D. for showing this to me.
On-line booksellers
University of Washington Bookstore.
Richie's Picks--a review of Gym Candy
Teens Read Too
(review of Gym Candy)
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