Alton is an awkward teen that had loose his girlfriend to his best friend. His family relationship is very complicated, his dad just got fired by his company, he has a smart 11 year old sister, and a nosy mom. His blind, wealthy Uncle Lester needed a card turner for playing bridge. It is Alton's perfect opportunity to get his family mentioned to his Uncle's will and also get a job as his "card turner". While Alton had to also compete against the young but possibly insane Toni Castaneda, another young relative, he got attracted by her humorous but crazy personality. Since this book is most likely talking about Bridge games, I wasn't sure if I understand it at first. However, by the end of the story, I felt like Louis Sachar is explaining something else through these Bridge games, so it doesn't really matter. I felt like this book relates to me somehow because it seemed like it is written in my siblings' view since I'm also about the same age as Leslie, Alton's sister. My favorite character in this book is Toni, because I felt like even though she is possibly insane, she is unique in her own way. I think that this book is an inspiration to many people. After reading this book, I learn that Bridge bridges the gap between the young and old,between our great desires and the chaos of the universe. A game of bridge can teach such a huge lesson. You don't know you've been cut in half until you try to walk away.
The Cardturner
By Louis Sachar
| Interest Level | Reading Level | Reading A-Z | ATOS | Word Count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grades 7 - 12 | Grades 3 - 8 | X | 5 | n/a |
The summer after junior year of high school looks bleak for Alton Richards. His girlfriend has dumped him to hook up with his best friend. He has no money and no job. His parents insist that he drive his great-uncle Lester to his bridge club four times a week and be his cardturner -- whatever that means. Alton's uncle is old, blind, very sick, and very rich. But Alton's parents aren't the only ones trying to worm their way into Lester Trapp's good graces. They're in competition with his longtime housekeeper, his alluring young nurse, and the crazy Castaneda family, who seem to have a mysterious influence over him.
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life. Through Alton's wry observations, Louis Sachar explores the disparity between what you know and what you think you know. With his incomparable flair and inventiveness, he examines the elusive differences between perception and reality -- and inspires readers to think and think again.
Alton soon finds himself intrigued by his uncle, by the game of bridge, and especially by the pretty and shy Toni Castaneda. As the summer goes on, he struggles to figure out what it all means, and ultimately to figure out the meaning of his own life. Through Alton's wry observations, Louis Sachar explores the disparity between what you know and what you think you know. With his incomparable flair and inventiveness, he examines the elusive differences between perception and reality -- and inspires readers to think and think again.
Publisher: Random House Inc
Published on 11/10/2011
Binding: Paperback
Book Reviews (2)
It is somehow intresting and funny in many ways...Here is a sort of passage from the book: "I am going to give you 13 letters," Trapp said, "G-b-c-d-i-o-a-o-r-y-t-g-l." "Um,g,b,c..." I said. Trapp replies, "it's not from memory.Its context. I am going to give you the same 13 letters, but in a diffrent order. concentrate real hard now..." "G-i-r-l,b-o-y,c-a-t,d-o-g" do you get it?