Gold Dust

by Chris Lynch

If I ran things,. nobody would have names.
We would just have batting averages.
When star rookies Fred Lynn and Jim Rice, the Gold Dust Twins, join the Red Sox in 1975, Richard dreams of following in their footsteps.

Napoleon Charlie Ellis arrives in Boston from the island of Dominica with a firm handshake, a love of cricket and classical music, and no one to call a friend. He needs help. Richard plans to help Napoleon and make him his partner. The two of them will go on to baseball greatness together, the next Gold Dust Twins.

Except what if Napoleon has dreams of his own?

2001 Notable Children's Books (ALA), 2001 Best Books for Young Adults (ALA), Children's Books 2000-NY Public Lib., and Bulletin Blue Ribbon Best of 2000 Award

Genres: Sports, Fiction, Childrens, Historical Fiction, Young Adult, Baseball

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

Chris Lynch is the Printz Honor Award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including KILL SWITCH, ANGRY YOUNG MAN, and INEXCUSABLE, which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He is also the author of FREEWILL, GOLD DUST, ICEMAN, GYPSY DAVY, and SHADOWBOXER, all ALA Best Books for Young Adults; EXTREME ELVIN WHITECHURCH, and ALL THE OLD HAUNTS.

He holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He mentors aspiring writers and continues to work on new literary projects. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.

Reviews

[Brendan D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball is more than a game for seventh grader Richard Moncrief, its life. Its winter in Boston of 1975, and an uneasy time. Rookies Jim Rice and Fred Lynn are waiting for their opening day with the Sox’s. Newspapers call them the Gold Dust Twins. A new kid arrives at Richards’s school. His name is Napoleon and is from the Dominican Republic.
The book Gold Dust by Chris Lynch is a very heartwarming and rugged book. I would rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. I believe that the characters are very tough and strong according to their personalities. This is my first recommendation. The characters in this book are poor and live in a rundown town. They don’t give up. Richard only has his Father and nobody else in his family. He has to cook and clean for his dad. His dad has a job at a local gas station. He supports Richard in school and sports but is a tough time for booth of them. This doesn't change Richards love for baseball. Another character is Richards’s best friend Napoleon. Napoleon has left his mother that he dearly loves and his family in the Dominica Republic. He leaves because his father got a job in Boston. He guts up starts school in Boston. It’s just him and his father. The kids don’t like him there but Richard does. Richard sees an athlete in him. This deep friendship is my next recommendation.
Friendship is key when you are starting at a new school. Napoleon is the new kid and is very different in an angry, cold, baseball city of Boston. He likes cricket, doesn't say wicked and he loves Symphony Hall more than Fenway Park. Richard takes Napoleon under his wing to create him into a baseball player; not a cricket player. Richard is trying to be the next Gold Dust Twins with Napoleon. Richard sees an athlete in Napoleon. They work out in the batting cages in the winter to be ready for spring baseball. They are always together and are basically twins.

When two different kids come together that are totally different and become befriends it is very happy to see. If you like character that are tough and strong but make a heartwarming friend ship than this book is perfect book for you.

[Eli Mecinas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, Gold Dust by Chris Lynch was truly amazing because the book made the character talk. The character said what he felt and what he acted. I like this book because it talked about baseball and the many great things about it. One quote was, "Here is a secret I can share, I don't care a ton about scoring runs or winning games. What I care is hitting a baseball. Baseball is not about teamwork, no matter what anybody says. It is about pitching and catching and hitting a ball. Especially about hitting a ball. And all of those things get done by one guy alone. Baseball is a selfish game. I don't mind that,"(Lynch,1) This quote explains that Richard was saying what he was feeling and acting. This shows that Richard loves baseball and that he can be great whenit comes to baseball. I can infer that he is a great friend because as a rule, people that like to explain things how they look at things are the ones that can express themselves very well. Also, as a rule, people who accept how things are, are the people who can understand the most.

[Adele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly moving and effective children’s book more about racism and friendship than baseball. Richard was an insensitive, selfish, oblivious jerk, and yet somehow still manages to be sympathetic, at least for me. Nicely done.

Note: I see some reviews making the same mistake I did at first of conflating Dominican Republic and Dominica. They are actually two separate islands, not even next to each other, though both in the Caribbean. Napoleon is from Dominica, not Dominican Republic.

[Shannon Makowichuk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gold Dust by Chris Lynch is a great story that is full of snap, crackle and pop, when two unlikely friends meet and agree to disagree about most things. It’s a story that challenges you to see things from two very different perspectives. It’s really makes you think about how different we can be even though we are the same age and live and go to school in the same area.

This book is set in Boston in 1975 where Red Sox fans were eagerly waiting for Fred Lynn and Jim Rice, known as the Gold Dust Twins to join the team. The anticipation had all Red Sox fans excited but nobody was quite as excited as Richard Riley Moncrief. Richard lived and breathed baseball and his goal was to live out his dream as a fan and as a future Gold Dust twin, but he needed a partner. He thought he found one in a new kid named Napoleon Charles Ellis who could hardly even play baseball. Richard and Napoleon were completely different, from their cultural backgrounds to the things they really cared about but they still remained friends even though they are different. Richard and Napoleon were different in where they came from and how they spent their time and even the food and ice cream they ate. Richard was sure he could convince Napoleon to love baseball as much as he did until Napoleon finally sang a different tune and decided to do what he loved.

Chris Lynch wrote this book for any teenage boy who has ever loved baseball so much that it is all they think can think about. I also think it’s a great book for anyone who enjoys sports history, but I do feel the author could have added a little more baseball history into this story.
Overall, I think this story reminds us that we can have different hobbies and interests and come from different backgrounds and still be friends . It’s a good reminder that not everyone is the same and that we should always take time to listen more than we talk so we can hear what people aren’t saying!

[Matt Shoemaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Baseball is much more than a game to Richard. He eats, sleeps, and lives baseball. Although only being in the seventh grade, Richard aspires to be the gold dust twins of the 1975 Boston Red Sox World Series Champions. Richard befriends a new student at school, Napoleon. Richard teaches the game of baseball to Napoleon who played cricket and has just come from the Dominican Republic. Richard takes Napoleon under his wing and creates a great baseball player. Richard has to persuade Napoleon to practice baseball, because Napoleon has is heart set on cricket and classical music. Once Richard breaks through, he sees an outstanding athlete in Napoleon. Richard and Napoleon are so dedicated to the game of baseball they even practice the batting cage in the brutally cold winter of Boston. Richard and Napoleon are so dedicated to the game they set aside color differences to reach their dream.
I liked this book because it demonstrates great friendship of two culturally different people from two different places coming together to work on a similar dream. This book shows we can beat segregation. we can put peoples differences aside to focus on the common goal.
This book inspires me to never give up on my dreams. Even though there will always be hardships and road blocks, with hard work and dedication you can reach your dream.
I recommend this book to people who like the overcoming of segregation and differences with friendship to reach their dreams.

[Watson Wildcats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gold Dust, by Chris Lynch, looked good to me when I went in the sports section in the library. The reason I picked this specific book is because I love baseball, and so I grabbed it and thought it would be a good book to read.
This book is set in Boston, Massachusetts, with a young boy named Napoleon and his friend Richard. Napoleon and Richard love baseball and love the Boston Red Sox. The story is about how they both love the Gold Dust twins. The Gold Dust twins names are Fred Lynn and Jim Rice, and the reason they’re called the Gold Dust twins is because they are the best known rookies on the same team.
The theme of this book is to never give up at what you’re doing and give it your best. Napoleon was the best because he would give it all his effort and lead his team to winning.
Napoleon told Richard how he could do good in baseball and to not give up. When Napoleon told his team he stinks at baseball, but he realizes he’s the best. Lastly, Napoleon kept leading his team again and again into winning games.

I rate my book 4 out of 5 because it was boring in the beginning then it got better when he started to play baseball games, meet new friends and have fun.







Spoilers Ahead
At the end of the book, Napoleon gets so good at baseball they give him a scholarship to go to a new Catholic school.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why is this not better known? It reads like a Newbery Honor title, but more enjoyable than many. It's beautifully written, with fascinating characters, covering themes important to children. The only problem I see is that the historical context isn't explained. Bussing? Who understands that now, without a history lesson?

Read this book, but first know that Richard is white, and so is Fred Lynn, and so are the Ward 17 kids that get bussed to this parochial (Catholic, not public) school. Napoleon (from Dominica, not any of the other places mentioned in other reviews), and so is Jim Rice. Napoleon is from a 'higher class' family, with a more comfortable income. It's easy for Richard to not pay attention to racism or anything but baseball because he's white in Boston in 1975.

Apparently Napoleon is the only African-American in this school... I need to refresh my memory on the Bussing era to understand why.... and of course your child will need to learn that history, too.

Given that, I do recommend this LFL find to "fanatics" of any sport or game, and to families who want to learn about history of the 1970s.

[Cecilia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This definitely went in a different direction than I expected. The book takes place in 1975, and Napoleon Charlie Ellis just moved to Boston from Dominica. He befriends Richard, who is only serious about baseball and nothing else. Thats all his mind goes to and pretty much can't see anything else. Richard is pretty ignorant to things going on around him, especially when it comes to race issues. He wants to push it all under the rug, ignore it all. Napoleon won't let that happen. I like how the book tackles race relations and explains it in a way a kid can understand. We see how things are presented through both Richard and Napoleon, seeing the city of Boston and the school they attend in two very different lights.

[Kathy Karch · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is a tremendous amount of force and power in this quiet, understated book. Was Chris Lynch a big baseball fan growing up? I suspect he was. I know I was. I clung to that game as an outlet from dark things in my childhood, and just like the main character here, it offered me a way to forget everything else and focus on the perfect moment of ball connecting with bat or glove.

The one word I'd use to describe this story is: authentic. It felt authentic. So many authors attempt to tackle difficult and emotionally complex times in the lives of children and adolescents and miss the mark (sometimes by a wide margin and sometimes by just an inch or so). Lynch pitched the emotional journey of his characters right down the middle. Perfect.

If you're looking for high drama and action and big, flashy confrontations you'll have to look elsewhere. But if you're looking for a book that will remind you of the complexity and depth of childhood and growing up in an imperfect world, this is the book for you.

[Charley Harpole · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book takes place during 1975. R¬¬ichard is only is the seventh grade but his life’s pinnacle is baseball and is a huge fan of the Boston Red Sox. It is not long before Richard meets, Napoleon Charlie Ellis, a new student from Dominica who love cricket and classical music. A new goal enters into Richard’s mind and that is to become the next Gold Dust Twins by following in footsteps of the star Sox rookies Fred Lynn and Jim Rice. Problems arise with his plan. For one, Napoleon’s heart is not with Richard’s. He would rather listen to music and other culture events that Richard does not understand. Also, Napoleon has to face racial problems that he is not use to. Richard slowly has to face these problems that are controlling their relationship.

This story is about Napoleon but it is Richard who is the narrator which I think was kind of cool. The book is geared towards athletes who are serious about sports which I am not. I did not enjoy reading this book. I thought it was kind of boring but I did like learning of the racial problems that Napoleon faced. After all, he just moved from Colombia where blacks are not separated and a “inferior” race. This book just did not appeal to me but it would appeal to others.

[Gatlin Owen · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is good

[Gabby Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book because it was one of the required authors and I love baseball. I figured that if I was required to read a book, it might as well be about something I enjoy. This book is about two boys, Richard and Napoleon, who become friends through strange circumstances. Richard absolutely loves baseball, while Napoleon is proper and would rather play cricket or do something involving music. Richard loves baseball spends the entire time trying to get Napoleon to want to be a pro-baseball player with him. Napoleon just doesn't bite.

This book was interesting. There were controversial subjects in it while being smooth and entertaining. I enjoyed watching two very different people come together and enjoy spending time together, learning from each other. I would hand this book to a lot of people, but most likely, someone who likes the Red Sox. It isn't enough to simply like baseball, because if someone hates the Red Sox team, they will not want to read this book. I found this out as I was reading it and told a friend that they talked about the Red Sox in it, they instantly made a face.

Warnings:
Racism: 3

[Nancy Chaffin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Napoleon Charlie Ellis moved from Dominca to Boston with his father and formed an unlikely friendship with baseball fanatic, Richard Riley Moncreif. Napoleon was very different from everyone and he developed a solid chip on his shoulder as he faced prejudice and racism with his peers. Richard was convinced that the answer to all of the problems of the universe was baseball. After seeing Napoleon’s athletic ability, Richard dreamed that, together, they would become the next “Gold Dust Twins.” They played every day. Unfortunately Richard’s dream was not Napoleon’s dream and, as Napoleon’s talents and dreams were revealed, so was the truth of their friendship.

I really enjoyed this book. I think it correctly portrays the gulf that can exist between people of different races, cultures, and talents. The story provides a model to measure the relationships in our lives. Are we willing to explore another person's passions? Can we expand our own vision to include experiences and life view's that are unique from our own? Will we?

[Bethany Eliason Martinez · Rating 2 out of 5]

Unfortunately, I wasn't really impressed with this novel. It did not speak to me like the other books I have read. Mostly because of the main topic, which was baseball and that is not a sport I really like. I have no interest in it whatsoever. I also was not really impressed with Richard, the main character. It did not seem like he really changed at the end to me. Yes, he did realize that other people have different dreams than him and he cannot force his dreams on them, but I still got the impression that he would do the exact same thing again. Just because he loved baseball so much.

I did like how Chris Lynch added the racism issues that were going on during that time. It opened my eyes to what people like Napolean have gone through.

But mostly, as a girl who does not really like sports, I thought the book was boring and dry. But I think young boys around 12-14 who are really into sports would like it. The characters are easy to relate to.

Warning: Does contain some racist themes.
Violence: 1
Language: 0
Sex: 0
Drugs: 0

[Cory Hernandez · Rating 3 out of 5]

As an avid baseball fan, I must admit that I was extremely excited to read this book. I can totally relate to the main character in that all I wanted to do when I was younger was eat, sleep, and breathe baseball. Even now that I’m older, I find that most of the television that I watch has to do with baseball. With that being said, if you like baseball, I think this would be a fun read for you. It’s a fairly quick read and would do best in the hands of someone in the age range of ten to fourteen.
It’s placed in the 1970’s in Boston, Massachusetts and is about two young boys that have a very difference look about what baseball is about. One loves the sport and one is only playing it because he wants to have friends. That being the case, the book explores the two boys’ perspectives on life and what’s truly important to them.

Scale 1-5

Violence: 1.5. Baseball violence, meaning a boy gets beaned; that’s about it.

Language: 1. I can’t really remember, but I know that if there is any language that it is minimal and unnoticed.

Sex: 0. Nothing

Drugs/Alcohol: 0. Nothing

[Wyatt · Rating 3 out of 5]

My book "Gold Dust" should definitely go to this "computer." My book is showing how people enjoyed the sport baseball and how conflict between people made them better at what they loved. This book is also showing how segregation is affecting their sport and is making some people get more fans than others. My book is able to show the importance of sports very well and can even show why people are so big into sports. the main character Richard is a baseball pro wannabe, he is doing everything in his power to be the best at his school. A new kid came to town and Richard is trying to get him into baseball because he thinks he could easily go pro with him. There is just one problem, color Richard’s friend is black so getting respect is very had for him to do. With my book showing how people enjoyed sports and how conflicts were created and solved this book deserves to be in the computer. This book is very good and exciting, you should definitely read it.

[Gphatty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was rather surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. Not because of the baseball themes, or even the Boston ones -- any real Bostonian would be better able to judge either of those aspects. No, I was really won over by the voice of Richard -- very authentic, confused baseball fanatic. I definitely don't really know folks like that, but it seemed both realistic and kind of heart-breaking. (I'm a sucker for stories about men/boys that can't really express their emotions.)

In addition, I'm not even sure if this story has a satisfying ending -- something I'm normally a stickler for in children's literature -- but in this case, it felt right to me. No real resolution; no lessons learned; and, most damning from my P.O.V. -- no real story arc.

But I loved reading every chapter, and from someone who hates boy-stories and historical fiction, that has to count for something.

[Brianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

While reading this book, it was not my first choice for this author. I thought that maybe I'd get into it because I love baseball and that's what it was about. Well, sadly, I can't say that I could. I think it was just because I've read so many books lately and many of them have been pretty intense and now I read a tween book that can't seem to catch my interest.

On a more positive side, this book is well written, I can see all the different details that Chris Lynch put into it. However, I got confused while reading sometimes because I couldn't always follow the characters thoughts. This may not have been my favorite book, but I definitely want to read another Chris Lynch book that is targeted for older ages so I can see how I feel abou it.

Warnings? Some racism and violence. Overall, good book for children interested in baseball, but not for everyone.

[Mason · Rating 2 out of 5]

The end of the book was a surprise. Napoleon turned out to be a very good singer. He also told Richard that he never liked playing baseball. That part of the story really hit me with surprise. The author made it seemed like Napoleon loved baseball through out the book. Then he announced that he was going to a private school just for singing. I thought that the author made both of the surprises to fast. I think that if he spaced them out it would be better. I think that because the story got a little confusing. It was talking about how he was going to a singing school. Then he announces that he didn't really like baseball. Then with out waiting for a response he gets on a bus to go to the school and the story ends.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book didn't really catch my attention and spur me on to continue it, like most books do. It dives right into the main character's love of baseball, but if you don't catch onto the boy's enthusiasm, you're pretty much left in the dust.

The main character's believability stems mainly from his complete devotion to baseball. It will make you laugh, seeing just how crazy he is about the sport and tries to convince everyone around him that he should love it just as much as he hdoes.

I'd promote the book to a teen who is interested in baseball, but not to teens in general.

VOYA codes: 3Q, 3P, M.

[Jennifer Curtin · Rating 3 out of 5]

EDLI 200 Reading Requirement: Middle Grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Reading Level:4-6

It is impossible not to love a book about baseball and a boy obsessed with it. Set in Boston in 1974, for 7th grade Richard, there is nothing more important in life than baseball and the Red Sox. The arrival of Napolean in Richard's life brings both hope and complexity. Napolean adds a layer of unexpected tension, a tension that Richard wishes would go away so he could just focus on baseball. Richard and Napolean form a bond that proves the true test of friendship requires much more than the shared love of America's most beloved game.

[Alyssa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very boy book. It is a fast read as well so that helped me a lot. I think this book was really good. I liked it a lot. It talked a lot about baseball, which I enjoyed because thanks to my dad and his baseball movies, I was able to understand the terminology of baseball really easy. I liked it a lot.

Language: There were very minor language, if any at all. It's kids in middle school

Sex: no sex was mentioned from what I understood in the book. Remember it is about kids in middle school.

Violence: some bullying takes place and the setting is also set in the time of the "cheerleaders" and integration so some, but little violence

Drugs: Nope. Not from what I read

[Crystal Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was mainly lighthearted, but showed the hardships of racism. Through most of the book, Richard is oblivious to the racism going on all around him, but Napoleon, (from Dominica) is not. Richard tries to share his love of baseball with Napoleon, and does not realize for a long time that Napoleon loves something else more. The ending is a little sad, but satisfying.

Warnings: Racism, violence.

[Kailee Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I actually really did not like this book. It was boring! Because I've been reading novels that deal with real issues and teens can relate to, this "tween" book did not catch my interest. I didn't even really love the writing style. Maybe I need to try another Chris Lynch, but I'm not a fan right now. The only warning: There is some racial discrimination. I might recommend this book to a younger male young adult...but it really bored me.

[Maureen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book. While it claims a place as historical fiction based on the fact that it takes place during the Boston busing crisis, it's much more about friendship, race, baseball and thinking. A great book to introduce students to big themes! There's a fabulous description of Fenway Park,perfect as a writing model. In AR rating it's a 4.6 level worth 7.0 points. I think the thought processes and dialogue make it more challenging.

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when a kid who lives and breathes baseball becomes friends with a kid from the islands whose love is cricket? And what happens when the kid from the islands is faced with the fear and anger that was part of the Boston school bussing? These are only
some of the cultural difficulties these two kids face as their friendship grows.

And will their friendship flourish? That is what Chris Lynch asks in this
very readable, great book for guys, YA novel.

[Seth Weingart · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like this book because it was realistic to life in Boston. Napoleon comes to Boston from the Dominican Republic during an era of racism. It is hard for him to get along with the other students. I like how Richard makes it possible to allow Napoleon to become his friend and show him his love of baseball.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Race relations in the 70's in a Catholic school where desegragation has just occurred w/ a baseball theme. "Gold Dust" twins refers to Fred Lynn & Jim Rice. Those who love baseball will like this book.

[Justin Grove · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought it was a good book. I liked when Richard told Napolean he was doing good. I really thought that that meant they were friends. I'm glad Napolean's dad spoke. It must've been kind of awkward, but cool. At first I didn't know that it was until Richard said that.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read it in the spring or summer, but make sure there is a nearby batting cage you can go to.