August 2012
Photo © Alfred C. Martino.
Alfred was born and raised in Short Hills (NJ) and graduated from Millburn High School, where he was captain of the school's wrestling team and a member of the soccer team. He is a graduate of Duke University and The Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. He currently lives in Jersey City. When he isn't writing, he is working as the president and founder of Listen & Live Audio, an audiobook publishing company.
Alfred C. Martino is the author of Over the End Line and Pinned, his debut novel, which was a YALSA 'Best Books For Young Adults' nominee, Jr. Library Guild selection, Quills Award nominee, and a Kirkus Reviews 'Book of pecial Note' selection. His latest novel, Perfected by Girls, is about a sophomore girl, Melinda Radford, trying to make her way in life and high school while competing in the demanding sport of amateur wrestling.
"The protagonist has an authentic voice, and readers will empathize with her isolation throughout the school day. Some may gloss over the detailed wrestling descriptions, but the romance and other aspects of Melinda's life will strike a chord with girls, even those who don't participate in athletics."
—School Library Journal
"The novel is a solid portrait of a teenage girl trying to be herself when everyone else seems to be deciding her life for her. Though wrestling is the heart of the tale, Martino wisely resists heavy-handed and inspirational sports metaphors, letting Mel's actions speak for themselves. There's always a need for more sports stories for girls, and this is a solid addition to the genre."
—Kirkus Reviews
Perfected by Girls by
Life isn't easy for Melinda Radford. Her parents have forbid her from seeing a new out-of-town boyfriend, her grandmother insists she give up a fun job at the mall for a dreary office internship, and she¿s the lone girl on the Ashton High wrestling team¿dealing with opponents who refuse to compete against her, a few who want to crush her, and an infuriating older brother who¿s the varsity team captain and always flirting with her best friend, Jade. Just when it seems things can't get any more complicated, an off-handed comment to a newspaper reporter puts Mel at odds with her teammates, her brother and, worst of all, her coach. But through a strange twist of tragedy and fate, Mel is given an unexpected opportunity to accomplish something no girl in her school's history has ever done, and to redeem herself in the eyes of many. How will she handle it all? Can she handle it all?
Over the End Line by
Kyle Saint-Claire is everything Jonny Fehey wishes to be: a star on and off the soccer field, a brain, and one of Millburn High’s most popular students. Jonny unhappily accepts his lesser social status--but then he scores the go-ahead goal in the county soccer championship and everything changes. Jonny is invited to victory party with the in crowd, and alcohol flows freely as toasts are raised in his honor. But in his moment of glory, a classmate is raped and Jonny's world begins to unravel. Through years of friendship, Kyle and Jonny have always stood up for each another, but suddenly their friendship is tested. All their training together, pain, and dedication become meaningless; Jonny’s preconceived notions are shattered; and someone is out for revenge. Exciting sports action combines with an undercurrent of evil in a suspenseful tale of pride cometh before the fall--and an ending that Jonny never saw coming.
Pinned by
Ivan Korske and Bobby Zane couldn't be more different--they come from different backgrounds, different lifestyles, and they have very different values and ways of looking at the world and dealing with people. Yet they both have the drive, determination, and commitment to self-sacrifice necessary to become a champion. In the end, though, only one will stand in the center of the mat with his arms raised in victory. Has each boy prepared enough? Sacrificed enough? Does each want to win enough? All the training, pain, running, and cutting weight ultimately comes down to a few short minutes on a wrestling mat--leaving one boy the victor, the other devastated.
