"Pinned" follows the wrestling season of two boys, one from tony Short Hills (where Martino grew up) and the other from a fictional more urban town, who eventually compete for the New Jersey high school state championship. Martino uses wrestling as a backdrop to explore the relationships of these boys to their families, girlfriends, teammates and coaches.
"I don't think boys read enough," said Martino, who wrestled in high school. "I wrote 'Pinned' to depict the sport of wrestling in a realistic light, with a story that would be of interest to readers, particularly teenage boys."The book has gotten good reviews. School Library Journal wrote, "The portrayal of the dedication required and the varied motivations of student athletes is certainly on target. Many teens will identify with the boys' struggles both on and off the mat."
Martino, a New Jersey native, spent time in Los Angeles before returning to Jersey City, primarily because of its proximity to New York City. "With my business [Listen and Live Audio in East Hanover], it helps being accessible to Manhattan," he said.
Martino has been taken by the charm of Jersey City, so much so that he recently invested in two condos in the area. "This city has a number of desirable neighborhoods, but I think Hamilton Park is the nicest," he said. "My two dogs, Daisy and Sara, love it. The only drawback is that the commute to my business is a long one. Still, it's nice to come back to Jersey City at the end of the day."
The book was published by Harcourt Inc. An unabridged audiobook version was also published. Next book Martino's next book, also set in New Jersey, will touch upon the topic of rape and sports. "In our society, athletes get away with a lot more than they should," said Martino. "This problem has been around a long time, but it's getting much worse now." "Pinned" is available through Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, and at all major book stores.
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