Carpool Diem

Nancy Star
5 Spot (2008)
ISBN 9780446581820
Reviewed by Leslie Granier for Reader Views (1/08)


Annie Fleming leads a hectic life and as a result is not home nearly enough with her twelve-year-old daughter Charlotte.  Her days are planned with detailed schedules and to-do lists (which she is shocked to learn that her family is not following).  After losing her job and having to fire the live-in babysitter, Annie gains an insight into how her priorities seem to be focused on the wrong things.  She then attempts to reconnect with her daughter through soccer, a game that Annie knows nothing about either on or off the field.  She longs for Charlotte's talent to be recognized and will do whatever she can to get her selected for a spot on an elite traveling soccer team run by Winslow West, who is considered by many to be the best soccer coach who has ever lived.

This book contains several humorous situations.  The soccer bulletins written by Coach West contained recaps of previous games and were quite funny to read.  I also found myself laughing at Annie’s inability to understand “soccer language” and her attempts to fit in with the other parents.  Although the author uses humor to entertain the reader, she also sends an important social message.  She exposes the lies and deceit that occur in competitive sports.  It was sad to see people striving for a goal they will never reach simply because those in power refuse to give them the opportunity to succeed.

Nancy Star created some interesting and unique characters whose flaws and quirks are greatly exaggerated to make a point.  Winslow West's megalomania nearly resulted in tragedy because the parents put their children in dangerous situations just to please him.  Annie’s obsession with having every detail of life planned and appropriately scheduled caused her to feel like an outsider in her daughter’s life.  Both examples stress the importance of finding and maintaining balance in one's life.

"Carpool Diem" is a fun and light-hearted book that contains important life lessons for people who are obsessed with winning or being viewed as successful by others.  Be careful what you wish for because it may not be all that you imagined it would.

This book contains several humorous situations.  The soccer bulletins written by Coach West contained recaps of previous games and were quite funny to read.  I also found myself laughing at Annie’s inability to understand “soccer language” and her attempts to fit in with the other parents.  Although the author uses humor to entertain the reader, she also sends an important social message.  She exposes the lies and deceit that occur in competitive sports.  It was sad to see people striving for a goal they will never reach simply because those in power refuse to give them the opportunity to succeed.

Nancy Star created some interesting and unique characters whose flaws and quirks are greatly exaggerated to make a point.  Winslow West's megalomania nearly resulted in tragedy because the parents put their children in dangerous situations just to please him.  Annie’s obsession with having every detail of life planned and appropriately scheduled caused her to feel like an outsider in her daughter’s life.  Both examples stress the importance of finding and maintaining balance in one's life.

"Carpool Diem" is a fun and light-hearted book that contains important life lessons for people who are obsessed with winning or being viewed as successful by others.  Be careful what you wish for because it may not be all that you imagined it would.

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