Biblio Reviews

Written a decade ago,  Geography Club  (2004) spawned a book series and a recent TV movie. An engaging read, I can understand why this debut novel by Brent Hartinger is so successful. After all, it was written at a time when stories featuring gay characters were rare.  Geography Club  is the story of a Russell Middlebrook, a high schooler convinced he is the only gay teen at his high school--until he learns he is not. With his newfound knowledge and company, Russell and his other gay friends are desperate to have a safe space for them to gather and talk to each other. What other way than to create a boring club no other high schooler would be interested in joining than the Geography Club? In the end,  Geography Club  is a story of identity, of people coming together to define and accept who they are. It is also the story of what seems to be the universal high school experience in which reputation creates division lines and the goal is to figure out on whi...

What must living be like for Steve Bartman? On October 14, 2003, Bartman became the most infamous Chicago Cubs fan when he deflected a foul ball in game 6 of the National Championship Series between the Cubs and the Florida Marlins. In the immediate aftermath, security escorted him inside the stadium to watch the rest of the game and later hustled him (in disguise) to a safe place. The next day, Bartman released a statement begging fans for forgiveness and pleading that threats against his loved ones be stopped. In the following weeks, Bartman headlined the news of nearly every sports-related program and planted himself firmly in Cubs lore. After all, the Cubs went on to lose the game and the series. More than a decade later--and still no World Series championship for the Cubs--Bartman has yet to be seen or heard from publicly. Bartman is simply one example of one, along with his friends and family, whose life was altered in ways unimaginable. Yes, in general, life is unpredictable...