Tuesday, April 1, 2014

Catching Jordan by Miranda Kenneally Review



"ONE OF THE BOYS

What girl doesn't want to be surrounded by gorgeous jocks day in and day out? Jordan Woods isn't just surrounded by hot guys, though-she leads them as the captain and quarterback of her high school football team. They all see her as one of the guys and that's just fine. As long as she gets her athletic scholarship to a powerhouse university.

But everything she's ever worked for is threatened when Ty Green moves to her school. Not only is he an amazing QB, but he's also amazingly hot. And for the first time, Jordan's feeling vulnerable. Can she keep her head in the game while her heart's on the line?" 

Friends turned boyfriend/girlfriend/lovers. That's how this story is going to end. I'm even telling you this right up front. Of course, you will figure out who is the friend (and no, it's not Ty because Ty is a donkey's butt) eventually. 

One of the main topics about this book is sexism. I'm not kidding. I mean, Jordan is the girl who plays football as a Quarterback and weighs a hundred and seventy pounds. But many people think football should remain a "boy's sport" and never a girl's game. There's some debates and scenes that implies sexism. In one scene, Jordan is used as a poster girl (or a symbol) and never plays football. She hated it. It's not that bad. The boys/jocks on the football team like her and they respect her enough to protect her like a sister. It's when other people make fun of Jordan when the football team turn into lethal wolves. I mean, every single one. They obviously (and endearingly) love Jordan. Some in different ways than others.

Okay, Jordan totally defeats the odds. Even though she probably the most unique person in the entire universe (no, she isn't), I have no problem empathizing with her. I really like her, but sometimes she just needs to open her eyes a little more. It's obvious that someone other than Ty likes her. But I guess, that's the point of the book. In the end, Jordan has to find the strength to open her eyes.

Shall I add the fact that she's weird? She sleeps with her best friend (no sex) in the same bed. She plays football as the QB. Her father is a famous football player in his forties and ignores her (sexism, according to Jordan. I can't help but agree, but still, father is weird so that affects Jordan). She weighs one hundred seventy pounds and manages to look very skinny in the book cover. Yeah...publishers will seriously have to fix that. One hundred seventy pounds doesn't look like that skinny girl on this book cover. I mean, seriously. Be realistic. 

What's great about Catching Jordan other than its criticism on sexism and support on feminism (Go, girls!) is that it's all about choices. The best of the world may not be the best for you. For example, take Princeton or Duke University. They may be Ivy Leagues, but they might not be the best for you. Catching Jordan is somewhat about accepting that there are some places where you don't belong. Like a certain man's arm, if you are willing to look at it that way.

Ty Green, as mentioned before, is a donkey's butt. He may be handsome. He may be cute. He may be the Prince Charming of this book or the Fitzwilliam Darcy, but he is totally not the one. Catching Jordan sends another message. Not all handsome men are "the one."

Rating: Four out of Five

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