What is there not to Love about Jordan. She is a very strong, independent lead female character. She has to be in order to be part of a football team. Not only part of the team but the quarterback and captain. So you have to be strong in order to keep your team in line and rule on the football field. Go Jordan!!!
Since I am huge fan of football I loved the idea of Jordan being a star quarterback. She makes waves in the sport ruled by Men. Even though her father doesn't really support her decision being a star NFL quarterback himself she at least has her mother, brother, and team that support her. Not only her team but her Best Friend and Star receiver Sam Henry.
I was happy in the end with how things worked out Jordan, Sam, and Ty. It was great to see that even though her Father wasn't in agreement with her decision in the end he was willing to help her with her future.
I will definitely read more books from this author.
Since I am huge fan of football I loved the idea of Jordan being a star quarterback. She makes waves in the sport ruled by Men. Even though her father doesn't really support her decision being a star NFL quarterback himself she at least has her mother, brother, and team that support her. Not only her team but her Best Friend and Star receiver Sam Henry.
I was happy in the end with how things worked out Jordan, Sam, and Ty. It was great to see that even though her Father wasn't in agreement with her decision in the end he was willing to help her with her future.
I will definitely read more books from this author.
Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Honestly, is every book that claims it is the next Dairy Queen going to end up being a huge disappointment? D.J. Schwenks title as Best Rural Tomboy has still not been usurpedhas hardly been challenged, I think. CHASING JORDAN takes place in a setting where football is big, yes, but I think thats where the similarities end.
CHASING JORDAN was a typical YA dramatic luv story hiding under a sporty exterior. Sure, there was talk of Jordan being Tennessees best quarterback, but all real aspects of state-level varsity sport life soon fell by the wayside, overpowered by the drama of a typical teenage love triangle. Ty never fully developed into a believable character for me. Maybe that had something to do with the outcome of the book, but I dont think that that is a valid reason for having one-dimensional characters: one can write believable, three-dimensional, and sympathetic characters without forcing them to pair up into happily-ever-afters (see: Donna Freitas). I wanted more sport, less typical teen love dramabut teen luv was exactly what I got.
But I think what bothered me the mostand perhaps this is just a me thing, but Ive become incredibly sensitive to these things, and, come on, its 2012was CATCHING JORDANs complete and utter dismissal of possible alternative lifestyles. I hesitate to even use that term alternative, since, like I said, its 2012, and gosh darnit, people can live whatever lifestyles they want! I understand, marginally, that CATCHING JORDAN is set in the American South, but I was so, so disappointed during that stupid Home Ec scene with the fake babies and the students needing to pair up to be husbands and wives, and everyone automatically turning to the only guy in the class, as if being paired up with a female classmate is the end of your social life. What is this, the 1960s? Add to that a story setting in which lots of guys are constantly together, and all they can think about are ditzy cheerleaders. Seriously. Ditzy cheerleaders. In a YA world where cheerleaders can be popular yet real people (again, see: Donna Freitas), this kind of cardboardism is so passé, its not even fun anymore. Its just sad.
CHASING JORDANs main premiseof Jordan learning how to embrace her female desires and fall for a guywas so bland that it allowed me to focus on all the little things about the setup of the story that bothered me and have now made their way into my review. If youre picking this up because you want a simple love triangle story, that works; however, if youre looking for a smart and fun book featuring the sports-related travails of a female athlete, you might do better to look elsewhere.
CHASING JORDAN was a typical YA dramatic luv story hiding under a sporty exterior. Sure, there was talk of Jordan being Tennessees best quarterback, but all real aspects of state-level varsity sport life soon fell by the wayside, overpowered by the drama of a typical teenage love triangle. Ty never fully developed into a believable character for me. Maybe that had something to do with the outcome of the book, but I dont think that that is a valid reason for having one-dimensional characters: one can write believable, three-dimensional, and sympathetic characters without forcing them to pair up into happily-ever-afters (see: Donna Freitas). I wanted more sport, less typical teen love dramabut teen luv was exactly what I got.
But I think what bothered me the mostand perhaps this is just a me thing, but Ive become incredibly sensitive to these things, and, come on, its 2012was CATCHING JORDANs complete and utter dismissal of possible alternative lifestyles. I hesitate to even use that term alternative, since, like I said, its 2012, and gosh darnit, people can live whatever lifestyles they want! I understand, marginally, that CATCHING JORDAN is set in the American South, but I was so, so disappointed during that stupid Home Ec scene with the fake babies and the students needing to pair up to be husbands and wives, and everyone automatically turning to the only guy in the class, as if being paired up with a female classmate is the end of your social life. What is this, the 1960s? Add to that a story setting in which lots of guys are constantly together, and all they can think about are ditzy cheerleaders. Seriously. Ditzy cheerleaders. In a YA world where cheerleaders can be popular yet real people (again, see: Donna Freitas), this kind of cardboardism is so passé, its not even fun anymore. Its just sad.
CHASING JORDANs main premiseof Jordan learning how to embrace her female desires and fall for a guywas so bland that it allowed me to focus on all the little things about the setup of the story that bothered me and have now made their way into my review. If youre picking this up because you want a simple love triangle story, that works; however, if youre looking for a smart and fun book featuring the sports-related travails of a female athlete, you might do better to look elsewhere.
Ever since I heard about this, I wanted to read it. Not only because it represented a strong female lead who was willing to tackle (ha, get it?) some intense issues, but because I felt a personal connection to it. The idea Miranda Kenneally presents (a female football star in a traditionally male role) seems so radical, but I actually had the pleasure of seeing this happen.
When I was in high school, one of my friends tried out for and made starting quarterback of our varsity football team senior year. Unfortunately she tripped and fell down some stairs at home a week before the opening game and broke her ankle, thus benching her for the season. But I remember how awed and excited the school was about her playing, and how protective her male teammates were of her.
I think that was my favorite part of Catching Jordan; watching the way Jordan interacted with her teammates and the way they took up for her. She was their leader on the field, but their sister off. She had amazing relationships with these guys, but each one was unique and Kenneally did a fantastic job of that. I love how awkward and unsure she made Jordan, especially when I came to girly things (like kissing and dresses). I fell hard for Jordan and this entire story. Watching her struggle as she discovered first love and what I meant to be loved was a joy.
I will say that the plot is a little predictable and some of it was borderline cheesy, but every now and then you need a novel like that. Something that is light and fun and fluffy, that just makes you feel good. This is going to be one of my go-to books when I need a fun fix, and one I will happily reread over and over.
When I was in high school, one of my friends tried out for and made starting quarterback of our varsity football team senior year. Unfortunately she tripped and fell down some stairs at home a week before the opening game and broke her ankle, thus benching her for the season. But I remember how awed and excited the school was about her playing, and how protective her male teammates were of her.
I think that was my favorite part of Catching Jordan; watching the way Jordan interacted with her teammates and the way they took up for her. She was their leader on the field, but their sister off. She had amazing relationships with these guys, but each one was unique and Kenneally did a fantastic job of that. I love how awkward and unsure she made Jordan, especially when I came to girly things (like kissing and dresses). I fell hard for Jordan and this entire story. Watching her struggle as she discovered first love and what I meant to be loved was a joy.
I will say that the plot is a little predictable and some of it was borderline cheesy, but every now and then you need a novel like that. Something that is light and fun and fluffy, that just makes you feel good. This is going to be one of my go-to books when I need a fun fix, and one I will happily reread over and over.
