Just in Time for Baseball Season: Tanker 10 by Jonathan Curelop
Put me in Coach! If there’s anything you know about me, you know that I love to champion the underdog. That’s why I was happy to discover Tanker 10 by Jonathan Curelop! Here’s a book for the fellas although, really it’s a coming of age story that will appeal to anyone who’s ever been excluded, left out, bullied, or felt inadequate.
So, just about anyone really.
Tanker 10 (published by Book Case Engine) opens in Brockton, Mass., in 1976, where bashful and overweight 10-year-old Jimmy just wants to read his books and toss the ball with his best friend, Ben. Unfortunately, Jimmy is an entertaining victim for his older brother, Cliff, and his buddies. When Jimmy tries to stand up to Cliff, the verbal abuse turns physical and an accident sends Jimmy to the hospital with an injury that changes the trajectory of his life.
Tanker 10” depicts the story of Jimmy during his pre-teen and teenage years as he struggles to mend his physical and psychological injuries. Finding salvation through baseball, he dedicates himself to a strict regimen, taking him from intramurals baseball to Little League. By the time he reaches high school, Jimmy is no longer the fat kid throwing a ball against a wall but an up-and-coming right fielder on the freshman baseball team. Yet despite his successful recovery, Jimmy remains ill at ease with himself. He longs for emotional and physical intimacy and grapples with finding his place in his family, among his friends, and with his brother, Cliff.
I know, sounds great right? You don’t have to like sports or baseball to understand how much it hurts to be a teenager. Especially one with an abusive older sibling.
Grab this book today for the sporty guy in your life!
Is it mere coincidence that the author has a wife named Pamela? Hmmmmm. Is it me? I don’t know…But I do know that bullying is not nice and I’m glad that Curelop was able to overcome these very crappy circumstances. I hope our Jimmy does too.
Check it out and follow Curelop on Twitter: @JCurelop and tell him PammyPam sent you!
