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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
3.45 stars
This book to me was just okay. It didn't really have anything special, but was enjoyable nonetheless. One thing I did really appreciate about it though, was that, even though the book was centered around basketball, you didn't have to know or care much about the sport to still enjoy the book.
This book to me was just okay. It didn't really have anything special, but was enjoyable nonetheless. One thing I did really appreciate about it though, was that, even though the book was centered around basketball, you didn't have to know or care much about the sport to still enjoy the book.
Can’t wait to tell my students that I not only read a sports book but liked it???
This book earns a solid 4.5 rating from me.
Bunny Thompson and Nasir Blake, two former best friends from the same underprivileged New Jersey community, narrate this dynamite novel that explores what it means to “sell out.” Bunny Thompson’s got “hops;” he’s so good at basketball that it’s a given he’ll end up at a college of his choice. To make this dream a reality, though, Bunny recently left his neighborhood school, Whitman High, and accepted a sponsorship at the all-white, elite St. Sebastian’s private school. Nasir, angry that Bunny didn’t even bother to talk to him about the transfer, now refuses to have anything to do with Bunny, believing his former friend thinks he’s too good for Whitman. To add insult to injury, Bunny is dating a girl Nasir has been crushing on for years. Feeling betrayed, Nasir dedicates himself to helping his loser cousin Wallace and his ailing grandmother avoid being evicted. Wallace, without any real support system, makes some stupid and dangerous mistakes, mistakes that force Nasir to ask Bunny for an unimaginable favor.
This book has so much going for it including authentic guy friendships, exciting sports commentary and a little bit of romance. It provides readers a window into some of the complicated challenges faced by underprivileged and minority teens, including the cultural belief that if you dare to want more for yourself, you’re no longer “one of us.” I can see this book being embraced by readers graduating from Mike Lupica and Tim Green, but also it’s a great title to hand to fans of Nic Stone’s “Dear Martin” and Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give.”
Bunny Thompson and Nasir Blake, two former best friends from the same underprivileged New Jersey community, narrate this dynamite novel that explores what it means to “sell out.” Bunny Thompson’s got “hops;” he’s so good at basketball that it’s a given he’ll end up at a college of his choice. To make this dream a reality, though, Bunny recently left his neighborhood school, Whitman High, and accepted a sponsorship at the all-white, elite St. Sebastian’s private school. Nasir, angry that Bunny didn’t even bother to talk to him about the transfer, now refuses to have anything to do with Bunny, believing his former friend thinks he’s too good for Whitman. To add insult to injury, Bunny is dating a girl Nasir has been crushing on for years. Feeling betrayed, Nasir dedicates himself to helping his loser cousin Wallace and his ailing grandmother avoid being evicted. Wallace, without any real support system, makes some stupid and dangerous mistakes, mistakes that force Nasir to ask Bunny for an unimaginable favor.
This book has so much going for it including authentic guy friendships, exciting sports commentary and a little bit of romance. It provides readers a window into some of the complicated challenges faced by underprivileged and minority teens, including the cultural belief that if you dare to want more for yourself, you’re no longer “one of us.” I can see this book being embraced by readers graduating from Mike Lupica and Tim Green, but also it’s a great title to hand to fans of Nic Stone’s “Dear Martin” and Angie Thomas’ “The Hate U Give.”
Overall, I liked moments in this book, but it felt a little too long. More descriptions of games and action earlier in the book would have made it more exciting.
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
I typically don't like to read novels about sports, but this novel was suggested by one of my students for me to vett for our student led middle school literature class (students aged 10-14).
Each chapter is written in the voice of the two main characters, Nasir and Bunny- childhood friends whose friendship became strained because Bunny transferred to play basketball at a predominately white school out of the neighborhood without telling Nasir. It is an intense story. The basketball descriptions had me engrossed as if I were watching the game live. It is a story about fitting in, revenge, taking responsibility for your actions, making assumptions, forgiveness, loyalty, and the value of seeing yourself reflected in the community.
This is not a classroom read aloud. The amount of profanity made this Christian teacher cringe, there is also underaged drinking in the story as well. In spite of the "French" I could not put it down.
Each chapter is written in the voice of the two main characters, Nasir and Bunny- childhood friends whose friendship became strained because Bunny transferred to play basketball at a predominately white school out of the neighborhood without telling Nasir. It is an intense story. The basketball descriptions had me engrossed as if I were watching the game live. It is a story about fitting in, revenge, taking responsibility for your actions, making assumptions, forgiveness, loyalty, and the value of seeing yourself reflected in the community.
This is not a classroom read aloud. The amount of profanity made this Christian teacher cringe, there is also underaged drinking in the story as well. In spite of the "French" I could not put it down.
I didn't think that I would enjoy this very much since it was about basketball and two male characters. Boy, was I wrong. One of the characters is half Filipino, which is awesome! I've been on the search for Filipino characters and this was a good taste. It's written in two perspectives: Bunny's and Nasir's. I was on the edge of my seat reading this because I just wanted everything to work out for everyone. It brought back memories from being an adolescent and just making things worse the more these characters tried to fix their problems. I love the parental figures in this book as well, so much love portrayed in different ways. The friendship between Bunny and Nasir is also very loving. I was able to have vivid visualizations as I was reading this book. It took me a while to get into it, but the ending was insane. Just when you thought everything was going to be okay...
When a character becomes so real you want to sit them down and give them a talking to, the author has the reader hooked. Watching these two young men make choices, some good, some less than optimal and yet through it all have a heart and compassion for each other and for others was inspiring and thought provoking.
***This book review may contain spoilers.***
This story was at a perfect pace. It kept you interested. All the characters were well developed and it brushed upon the controversial but so relevant topics in today's society.
The story is about two best friends. Bunny and Nasir. Bunny transfers to a private prep school to further his basketball future in college but doesn't tell Nasir this. And because of this, Nasir is butt-hurt. Stops talking to Bunny. Not to mention, Bunny is "secretly" dating Nasir's biggest crush. And I say secretly because Bunny and Nasir weren't talking so it's not like Bunny was hiding it on purpose. It also brushed on the topic of dibs. That made me laugh, that whole scenario.
The story is told in two narratives. You got Bunny trying to fit in at his private school filled with "white" kids and Nasir chilling with his cousin Wallace from "the wrong side of the tracks" aka his parents were not a fan of Wallace.
The story showed all the character's struggles and you couldn't help but root for every character...even Wallace. Wallace could have easily switched his bets to Bunny. THAT'S ALL IM SAYING! You could've Wallace. You could've.
Also, I have to say, that betting on high school sports, is that really a thing? Like where do I go to do this? Is this so underground not even I can touch it because I'm such a goody-two shoe? Maybe. Maybe. Because I've never heard of this. Unless you count One Tree Hill and Nathan shaving points scenarios. And that was also fiction.
As you can see from my previous comment, Wallace is f***ing up big time and asks Nasir to bail him out. And Nasir, being the kind and well-meaning cousin, is all like sure. So Bunny and Nasir meet again. Start talking again. Etc.
The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking someone was going to die. In the beginning, both Bunny and Nasir were at a funeral for a mutual friend so I thought it would be some full circle thing. I guess I was right. Something did die. Wallace's future. Bye BOY.
Overall, very well told story. I feel like you either love it or you don't.
My Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
This story was at a perfect pace. It kept you interested. All the characters were well developed and it brushed upon the controversial but so relevant topics in today's society.
The story is about two best friends. Bunny and Nasir. Bunny transfers to a private prep school to further his basketball future in college but doesn't tell Nasir this. And because of this, Nasir is butt-hurt. Stops talking to Bunny. Not to mention, Bunny is "secretly" dating Nasir's biggest crush. And I say secretly because Bunny and Nasir weren't talking so it's not like Bunny was hiding it on purpose. It also brushed on the topic of dibs. That made me laugh, that whole scenario.
The story is told in two narratives. You got Bunny trying to fit in at his private school filled with "white" kids and Nasir chilling with his cousin Wallace from "the wrong side of the tracks" aka his parents were not a fan of Wallace.
The story showed all the character's struggles and you couldn't help but root for every character...even Wallace. Wallace could have easily switched his bets to Bunny. THAT'S ALL IM SAYING! You could've Wallace. You could've.
Also, I have to say, that betting on high school sports, is that really a thing? Like where do I go to do this? Is this so underground not even I can touch it because I'm such a goody-two shoe? Maybe. Maybe. Because I've never heard of this. Unless you count One Tree Hill and Nathan shaving points scenarios. And that was also fiction.
As you can see from my previous comment, Wallace is f***ing up big time and asks Nasir to bail him out. And Nasir, being the kind and well-meaning cousin, is all like sure. So Bunny and Nasir meet again. Start talking again. Etc.
The whole time I was reading this book, I was thinking someone was going to die. In the beginning, both Bunny and Nasir were at a funeral for a mutual friend so I thought it would be some full circle thing. I guess I was right. Something did die. Wallace's future. Bye BOY.
Overall, very well told story. I feel like you either love it or you don't.
My Star Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars
