
Title: The Ring
Author: Bobbie Pyron
Publisher: WestSide Books
Number of Pages: 254
Date Released: September 28, 2009
Synopsis From Back of Book:
Plagued by slipping grades and a budding criminal record, Mardie’s heading down a path of self-destruction she can’t seem to avoid. Unlike her perfect older brother Michael, who does everything right according to their father, Mardie can’t meet those high expectations. But when she discovers a girls’ boxing club at the gym, Mardie’s drawn in by the fighters’ fearlessness and strength. Having already lost her parents’ trust and shunned by her boyfriend and even her best friend, the ring is the only place left where no one judges her. Angry and hurt by the state of her life, Mardie can’t wait to start throwing punches. But her wise and patient trainer, Kitty, a former boxer who’s coached her share of troubled teen girls in the ring, shows Mardie that boxing isn’t just about fighting—it’s also about strategy and mental discipline—the things that make a fighter into a winner. Mardie begins to apply the lessons she’s learned in the ring to her battles at school and especially at home, where she finds she’s not the only one struggling for acceptance. And, as she trains for her upcoming championship bouts, Mardie hopes to find a way to make her parents proud. Filled with exciting sports action, The Ring is an inspiring story of a girl learning to believe in herself.
Review: I was hesitant upon picking up this book to read, because I was intimidated by the boxing in it. I am not really into sports books, but this novel was totally not what I expected. I found my self so wrapped up in the characters that I was able to connect with them. Bobbie Pyron is a master of characterization and giving her characters a voice that teens can relate to. She definitely wrote this book with the mindset of a teenager and not an adult, which I undoubtedly appreciated. She even gave a nod to one of my favorite novels To Kill a Mockingbird! You know how sometimes you see a movie that makes you want to take action or change yourself for the better. This book was like that for me it was very inspirational. Sure the main character Mardie goes through a lot but she finds a way to cope and not give up and make her life great. She finds an outlet for her pain. That same outlet makes her feel comfortable for the first time in her body and she actually likes what she sees in the mirror.
Mardie Wolfe is struggling with holding her life together. She likes to go out and party and fit into the it crowd. She has a totally hot and popular boyfriend, which immediately launches her into popularity, for every girl wants to be her. After being caught stealing and drinking too many times she is sentenced to 100 hour of public service among other things. She chooses to serve it at The New Horizons Center a place that helps people with mental disabilities. She is given the duty of helping out in the stables and what she sees from a girl named Hannah with Cerebral Palsy changes her look on life and inspires her to do more. When Mardie has to go to the gym with her step mom so she can go to her class and watch Mardie. While at the gym Mardie wanders around and sees a group of girls in a boxing class and is totally mesmerized. She soon starts taking the class while her aunt is at her class and she learns that the principles of boxing can apply to life as well. Soon Mardie is competing in competitions, but she can’t please her father. She misses her real mother and her brother is mad at her. How will Mardie ever put the pieces together?
I love love loved this book! It was totally unexpected and amazing. It had a beautiful message and it inspired to make more out of life and if I don’t like my life how it is to change it. I hands down recommend this to everyone. Heck if I see someone in a bookstore looking for a book I will probably go and show it to them. It was just so gut wrenching and wonderful. So if your reading this sprint to your local library to check it out or make a dash to the nearest book store to pick it up. I feel this book is being overlooked by too many people so spread the word about it.
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