We Ride Upon Sticks: A Novel (Alex Award Winner)

By Quan Barry

In the town of Danvers, Massachusetts, home of the original 1692 witch trials, the 1989 Danvers Falcons will do anything to make it to the state finals—even if it means tapping into some devilishly dark powers.

Against a background of irresistible 1980s iconography, Quan Barry expertly weaves together the individual and collective progress of this enchanted team as they storm their way through an unforgettable season.
 
Helmed by good-girl captain Abby Putnam (a descendant of the infamous Salem accuser Ann Putnam) and her co-captain Jen Fiorenza (whose bleached blond “Claw” sees and knows all), the Falcons prove to be wily, original, and bold, flaunting society’s stale notions of femininity. Through the crucible of team sport and, more importantly, friendship, this comic tour de female force chronicles Barry’s glorious cast of characters as they charge past every obstacle on the path to finding their glorious true selves.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
• Release date: Mar 3, 2020
• ISBN: 9781524748104

Reviews for We Ride Upon Sticks

[sriddell_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a fun book!

A high school field hockey team in their senior year wants to go all the way to "states" to win the championship. The only problem is their long losing streak. Then they find an answer - witchcraft.

This book is seriously cute, and the witchcraft isn't so much real witchcraft as pure mischief.

The best part for me is the story takes place in the 80's. This group was in high school a few years later than I was, but for once I "get" all the music and pop culture references. So few books aimed at Gen X'ers, it's refreshing to see a coming of age type book that isn't just another rehash of the same old Baby Boomer broken record.

Some of my favorite parts:
- "The only thing bigger than their hair was their outfits."
- The giant bangs look - referred to as The Claw in the book - made me laugh out loud. I had a junior claw myself around this time.
- An Emilio Estevez notebook plays a major role in the book. And I have to admit to a minor crush on Emilio back in the day.

The book finishes with a where are they now chapter, which takes place on Labor Day weekend, 2019. Really ends the book on a wonderful note.

[electrascaife · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

It's the fall of 1989 and the Danvers High School Field Hockey team, despite having a history of losing much more than they win, want so badly to go all the way to states this year. So these Salem-adjacent girls, true to their ancestral natures, make a pact with the Devil (aka Emilio Estevez on the cover of a notebook) and suddenly their lives will never be the same.I loved this novel, with its clever plot and unforgettable characters. The magic is there and important but also subtle, and it takes an easy backseat to these amazing high school girls, with their massive hair and love for Janet Jackson. I was a freshman in 1989 and these characters brought so many memories rushing back - they're true to their age and the late 80s. Highly recommended!

[bragan_8 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's 1989, and the high school field hockey team from Danvers, Massachusetts, a stone's throw from the site of the Salem witch trials, has very little hope of a winning season. That is, until the girls indulge in some witchcraft of their own by signing a pledge to the forces of darkness in the pages of a notebook with a picture of Emilio Estevez on the cover.This book got a lot of buzz last year. I remember talking to a couple of people who'd really liked it, and saying that I'd heard it was good but wasn't sure if it was something I actually wanted to read, because stories about sports are a big turnoff for me. "Don't worry," everyone said. "It's not really a novel about field hockey at all. It's about things like growing up, and friendship." And it turns out, they're right, it is about those things. But I fear those who recommended it to me still dramatically underestimated how hard it is not only for me to care about sports, but to care about people caring about sports. And, whatever else it's about, this is also a story about people who care about their team enough to sell their souls to Emilio Estevez over it. Which is an entertaining sentence to write, admittedly. But I still had a hard time getting into it. And it wasn't just the sports angle. The narrative style is sort of clever, but it didn't necessarily work for me all that well, as it kept me feeling oddly detached from all the characters as individuals. Indeed, I had a surprising amount of trouble keeping track of who was who much of the time. The supposed supernatural elements did interest me, but they turned out not to be quite what I was expecting, and most of the actual witchiness is kind of vague and mostly off-screen. Ultimately, it is much more about these kids' high school experience than anything else, and, well... Look, I was a high school girl in 1989, too, and I didn't enjoy the experience enough that I have any real interest in reminiscing about it.All of which is to say that my first impulse, apparently, was correct, and I just wasn't the right audience for this one. Which I genuinely feel bad about, because there is a lot here that's good. There's some offbeat humor, some thoughtfulness, some heart, and in among all the weirdness, the time and the place and the experience of being a teenager all feel quite realistic. I can absolutely see why people liked it. In some respects, I liked it, too. But never quite the way I wanted to.

[mutantpudding · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I really loved the writing in this and the diverse stories about the team that the author told. There were a few things I was not fond of but overall really enjoyed it!

[c.archer · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A super fun read.

[bruyere_c · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Funny, nostalgic, empowering!

[bell7_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's 1989, and though the Danvers High field hockey team has had losing seasons the past several years, this group of seniors is ready to turn that around - and they may just be willing to resort to witchcraft to do it. Writing their notes to the "Darkness" in Emilio Estevez notebook and wearing blue sock armbands, they begin to win. What will it take to get all the way to States this year?This is a really fun exploration of team and friendship and all the highs and lows of high school, with a little bit of possible magic thrown in. There are references to the 1692 witchcraft titles - one of the characters, Abby, is said to be a descendant of one of the main accusers, Ann Putnam - and lots of '80s nostalgia. The writing in first person plural, but also focusing on each of the players in turn, took a little getting used to, but was the right choice for this story. Though the story flags in parts, the ending was really satisfying and left a smile on my face.

[reader1009-863136 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

audiobook - adult fiction (humor, dark magic, social commentary set in 1989 Massachusetts)

fun premise, but probably about 10 hours too long; you are basically following each member of the field hockey team through school--stuff happens, more stuff happens, more stuff happens, more stuff happens until finally (16 hours later), it ends. Feels more like an extended exercise in recreating the time period--fine if you're feeling nostalgic, but the story lacks a compelling enough arc to sustain it for that long of a journey.

Still, the writing was funny and enjoyable, and positively reflected the author's diverse background. I would read more from this author, but wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular title (though many others did enjoy it and do recommend it, so you might feel entirely differently).

[eas7788 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I liked this book so much I bought a hard copy after listening to it because I want to reread it. I am totally the target audience -- seniors on a field hockey team in 1989 in Massachusetts. And to make second-person PLURAL not only work but become the only way the story could be told ...! It got me with its multi-character focus (hello, Westing Game), its diversity of race and culture and sexuality and gender identity, its slipstreaming in and out of magic and history. And sports -- don't forget it is all about succeeding at sports (fuck you, Lance Bourjaily). I can quibble with how some plot twists landed, especially Girl Corey's, but Barry lifts up and loves all her characters, and the note about the coach being based on her real coach had me tearing up.

[bnbookgirl · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved it. Kept me thoroughly entertained on a long car ride. Fantastic characters.

[misslissa23 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I won an advanced copy of this book and I’m so glad I did! It was fun to read, I laughed at nearly everything. The late 80’s early 90’s era of big hair, teen-bop, and sexuality, combined with witty humor made this book such a joy. I knew nothing about field hockey going into it, would have never wanted to read a “sports” book, but this was that/wasn’t that and was everything and more! I can’t say anything more without giving it away but I really loved this story!

[ridgewaygirl · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel is about a high school field hockey team in Danvers, Massachussetts at the end of the eighties. Their team's record is one of unbroken defeat until at a summer training camp, with the help of the dark arts and a notebook with Emilio Estevez on the cover, they turn things around and, along the way, change things in their own lives. Of course, such bargains never come without a hidden cost. I didn't want to read this book. Between the cover and the mention of witches, I had the idea that this was some sort of loosely disguised Harry Potter quidditch fan fiction which, I am happy to report that it is very much not. What is in this novel is a story of a team working together, with a lot of eighties nostalgia and references to the witches of Salem. There's a theme of how important conformity was and how much better it is for teenagers who don't fit tidily within their assigned boxes today. This is the kind of book that will leave you either reaching for your boxed set of John Hughes movies or breathing a deep sign of relief that that decade is long gone.

[gpangel_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

We Ride Upon Sticks Quan Barry is a 2020 Pantheon Books publication. Field, Field, Field- Hockey, Hockey, Hockey Danvers, Massachusetts has a dark history dating back to the 1692 witch trials. Centuries later, in 1989, a high school field hockey team on a losing streak, channels the elements of witchcraft to turn things around for them. To accomplish this, they sign their names in a notebook featuring the likeness of Emilio Estevez on the cover, and tying strips of old sweat socks around their arms. Sure enough, their luck begins to change- but is the witchcraft truly responsible? ’Reasonable’ was one of those words, like ‘beauty’. It was all in the eye of the beholderI think I can credit Book Riot for putting this book on my radar, initially. It is not the type of book I typically read, as it is categorized as a YA, paranormal fantasy. The ratings were so good, and the premise so intriguing, I had to check it out. If you don’t speak up, you get what you getThe first striking thing about this book is the way in which it is written. There is one narrator for the entire team. One review I read referred to it as a ‘group-think’ narration- which is the best description of the writing style I found. The downside, coupled with an ENORMOUS cast of characters, makes it hard to connect emotionally to anyone in the story. The nostalgia is the next big thing that makes this story both fun, and a bit shocking, due to the absolute truths we were all bound to at that time. It was fun to revisit the cheesy eighties pop culture – some of which I’d forgotten all about. It was also a little unnerving to see how little attention was paid to subtle or even overt racism, classism, sexism or abuse. The wit and humor also stand out and I caught myself more than once stifling a guffaw. Anyone who knows anything about the eighties will remember the big hair- which is featured prominently in the book- with ‘the claw’ almost becoming a character all its own. The antics of the teenagers are riveting, as they travel down a path where one is never quite sure if they were helped along by a paranormal nudge, or if by a false confidence in that power. That will be up to you to decide… Overall, this book is an odd combination of whimsy, humor, and suspense, encompassing a myriad of serious topics all centered on identity. I didn’t always like the direction of every single thread, and the large cast was a bit of a challenge, but I loved the imaginative presentation and found the book to be darkly fun and wildly entertaining.

[booklove2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

What a trip into 1989 this is. Barry's writing is as colorful as the KoolAid rainbow, as snappy as a snap bracelet, as fun as, well, much of anything of the 80s. Rich with references too. This is a great story of a (mostly) girls field hockey team in Massachusetts and a bit of witchiness. I love the camaraderie of team spirit here and just this big group of FRIENDS that reminds you of the chaos of friends from school. I guess there usually isn't a book featuring an entire team, so that's different. I also appreciated that the book never really contained a play-by-play of field hockey and never got bogged down in boring sports terms (exactly enough!) so this was just the book I wanted . It's very funny on every page. So funny, fresh and unique.

[kitlovestea · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I really loved this book. It was funny, heartwarming, and just the right amount of bizarre, while still feeling very true to the experience of being a teenager. I can't say I know what it was like being one in the '80s, but it nailed the experience of everything seeming so huge and important, and the thrill of taking the first steps to become who you're going to be. The narrative style is definitely not for everyone, but I really loved the way the story was told like it was from the collective memory of the team. The hive mind thing was pretty cool and the story had just enough weird magical elements to keep me off balance but hooked.

Definitely recommended for anyone who enjoys slice of life or girl gang stories with a magical twist.

[dreesie-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I requested this book solely because it was on the Camp ToB longlist back in...May? I was completely unfamiliar with it.And it was excellent. The tone is very much like Bunny (from last year's Camp ToB). The topic, though, is very different. The story revolves around the Danvers, MA, varsity field hockey team in the 1989 season. The team has always been weak, and this year they are doing everything they can to win. And they do win. And they learn a lot about themselves in the process.It sounds a little hokey, but it's so good! Witchcraft, black magic, and a whole lot of 80s references make this book both funny and interesting. I was wondering how it would end, and Barry did a great job of wrapping it up and pulling the story forward.The author was on a late 80s Danvers field hockey team, so I imagine some of this (certainly the coach per the book itself) is based in truth. But how much?

[leisjenn · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

So I had the chance to read the advance copy for New York Comic Con and then sit and talk with some of my fellow book lovers and discuss our thoughts.My personal feelings about the book after reading it was that it was okay. I liked the concept of it but didn't really love the execution. It took me a bit longer than usually to get through it. I don't know if it was me or the book but there was nothing really compelling me to keep reading other than to get it done before Comic Con (and the fact that I ain't no quitter!) There just seemed to be a lot going on with character development and not much with the actual plot or conflict of the book. And yes I understand it was about a field hockey team but fleshing out a well rounded and developed story for each of the players is a lot and doesn't leave much room for conflict and a central plot. Every time it seemed one was getting introduced, the next chapter we just moved on to another characters. Too many mini stories going on at once. My biggest critique was that while it was titled as a line from Arthur Millers' The Crucible I would have liked to see more connections to it. There were a few points like the town, the name of one of the main characters being Abby Putnam and being related to the one from the Witch Trials, and one of the characters even acted out in school's production of the show but the book could have taken it a step further and do it a lot sooner. It took until literally half way through the book to have the team repeating one of the most important the actions from the play (won't spoil what). Personally I would have liked more connection given its name.I think I did enjoy it more after I had the book group at the panel. Hearing other people talk about what they noticed in it made me think it had a lot more meaning than I originally saw. But I still do stand by my earlier critiques, and I think a lot of others did agree with me on these points. Overall though it was a fun read and can't wait to see any changes they might make when the book is published in March.

[amandanan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

High school girls turning to Emilio Estevez to win states in field hockey? No brainer.

[nancyjean19 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A fun read that paints a vivid picture of what it was like to be a teenager in the 1980s, which is mostly what makes it fun. I think it would have worked a bit better as YA, by which I mean maybe it needed more crushes? For a book about teenagers, it lacked a certain intensity. The characters were concerned about their identities, but there were so many characters that I didn’t feel like it engaged with any of them that deeply. Still, it was enjoyable and would make a great tv show on the CW.

[violetbramble · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is possibly my favorite book of the year so far. Maybe it will just be my favorite Covid-19 book. I definitely needed a fun and engaging, but sorta light, read to get me through these days.Set in Danvers, Mass - home of the Salem Witch Trials - in 1989. The Danvers Falcons Women's Varsity Field Hockey team is determined to have a winning season, including becoming State Champions. At summer field hockey camp they were losing every game. One night the team goalie, Mel, performed a ritual involving an Emilio Estevez notebook. After that she was able to stop any ball that came at her net. One by one the 10 girls and 1 boy that make up the team visit Mel, they sign their name in the book of Emilio and have a piece of blue tube sock tied around their upper arm. When the season starts the Falcons win every game. To keep their winning streak going the 11 team members routinely write their confessions in Emilio and perform rituals and sacrifices to Emilio. As the season goes on the rituals and sacrifices become more consequential and dangerous. When the team wins the championship was it because of Emilio or their faith in themselves? Each character has a chapter where their story is told; their history, family life, what they want from the team, and the rituals and sacrifices they perform in order to keep winning. The book ends with a chapter set in 2020 where we find out what happened to each team member. Highly recommended.

[ecataldi-1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Phenomenal! This book is a mix of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Now and Then. I adored every second of it! A bunch of high school seniors sign their name to the devil's book (i.e. an Emilio Estevez spiral notebook) in return for having the best field hockey season of their lives. They are going to the state championships come hell or high water! It's 1989 and this motley crew of teenage girls (and Boy Cory) is living high on life. Now that they're toying around with "witchcraft" their game and their friendship has never been better. They're really meshing as a team and they have their black book of Emilio to thank for it. Told back and forth between the characters this story of identity, friendship, sexuality, school smarts, witchcraft, and field hockey is hilarious and unforgettable. Descriptions don't do it justice. I adored every character and their idiosyncrasies. From Jen and her claw (bangs aquanetted to high heaven) to Sue Yoon and her kool aid hair to Little Smitty's beloved rabbit - this story is one for the ages. Read it already!

[gingersnap000 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This novel has a sentimental value to me; My daughter attended Danvers High during the time period that this book explores. For those readers who are not aware of the history of Danvers, MA, it is the town where the actual witch hysteria of 1692 happened. Danvers was at the time of the hysteria part of Salem, MA called Salem Village. The author mixes the history of the town with the Davers High Field Hockey team quest for the State Championship. It is a very humorous novel about teens coming of age, good versus evil and the power of team spirit. The actual team was a majority of white girls with no boy but yes, a girl born in Vietnam who was adopted and an Asian girl also adopted. The girls in the books are just a compilation of different players. If you were born in the early 1970's you will truly appreciate all the cultural references of the era. This novel has great character development with each chapter is dedicated to a Senior team member. You will come to understand why the team spirit is important to the storyline. I will be totally surprised if this book is not made into a movie or Netflix series.

[brangwinn · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This funny novel follows a girl’s field hockey team as they strive to reach the state finals. Set in the outskirts of Salem, with the one of the team leaders being a relative of the famous Salem accuser Ann Putnam, you know there’s going to be a little witchcraft. Set in the 1980’s, it is filled with lots of memories, from hair to the description of the team members, including Boy Cory who thought joining a woman’s sport would help him get into college. Funny you bet. I graduated way before the 1980’s but high school humor and friendships remain the same.

[ozzer_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

WE RIDE UPON STICKS is not just another rags-to-riches sports story. Instead it is an enjoyable exploration of what it is like for a group of talented young women to believe in themselves. In this case, the Danvers High School girls field hockey team sets out to become the 1989 Massachusetts State champions. What this team lacks in athletic accomplishments, it more than makes up for in imagination. They become convinced that witchcraft, some smelly blue tube socks, and Emilio Esteves will deliver the success they seek. Indeed, witches are people for whom their town, formerly known as Salem Village, is well acquainted.Barry takes on a well-travelled theme in this novel—the power of faith. Cervantes tackled it in “Don Quixote” and Chekhov summed it up with the sentiment, “Man is what he believes.” Two-time Olympic champion, Gail Devers, aptly captured its importance for athletes when she said “Understand to achieve anything requires faith and belief in yourself, vision, hard work, determination and dedication. Remember all things are possible for those who believe.” Whether real or imagined, faith in a cause and teamwork can carry people a long way toward achieving impossible goals. Was it witchcraft or hard work and teamwork that propelled these young women to success? Barry seems to suggest it may have been the latter.Barry’s focus is not so much on the games they play, as on the young women (and one guy) who do the playing. Each is a unique and fully realized character and Barry relates their stories with grace and humor—especially humor. Along the way, she captures just about all of teenage culture, including angst, self-doubt, raging hormones, parental struggles, identity, etc., etc. Barry is especially adept at evoking the times, especially the popular songs they listen to and the flawed adults they manipulate (coaches, cops and teachers). The title of the novel is particularly inspired because it evokes the sticks, they “ride” into battle while chanting “field, field, field” “hockey, hockey, hockey” as well as the brooms the Salem witches “rode.” Enjoy the journey.

[bostonbibliophile · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

delightful coming of age story set in a note-perfect 1990s danvers massachusetts.