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blairewithane's review
4.0
Great for a kid that loves sports, but you probably have to have a kid that is into basketball to really get into this book. Has a cast of diverse characters including the main two. Rip is African American and his mom is a school principal and red is a white boy with autism. The two best friends come into 5th grade to find a new teacher and style of learning. Shows kids how to become friends with those they may think are different and to explore new things. Message is positive if sometimes very blunt and gets hammered home over and over.
theartolater's review
4.0
Sports and friendship books in the middle grade/chapter realm can be a crapshoot in a lot of ways as they try to balance out the sports with the lessons on friendship and on childhood responsibility. Rip and Red, the two characters in this new series, try to approach the genre in a different way here as they struggle not only with basketball, but school budgets, strange teachers, and issues like handicaps and autism.
On one hand, this is very much a "throw a lot of stuff out there" type of read, but it's done well enough to forgive the sort of thing adult readers see and the kids do not. In putting a lot of different things of value front and center, it does elevate the rest as a result, and ends up being a book both that highlights friendship and sports, and the series becomes something a lot of kids in this age looking for books like this, especially reluctant boy readers, will enjoy. Absolutely worth a look.
On one hand, this is very much a "throw a lot of stuff out there" type of read, but it's done well enough to forgive the sort of thing adult readers see and the kids do not. In putting a lot of different things of value front and center, it does elevate the rest as a result, and ends up being a book both that highlights friendship and sports, and the series becomes something a lot of kids in this age looking for books like this, especially reluctant boy readers, will enjoy. Absolutely worth a look.
wordnerd153's review
5.0
I stayed up past my bedtime two nights in a row to devour this funny and touching book. Love the diverse characters and wish more teachers were like Mr. A. Can't wait to read the sequel!
valerie07's review
4.0
4.5* I love rip and red they are just so sweet and so wholesome. this book was just over all in general a great read and I can’t wait to read the second book!!
kwjonesie79's review
4.0
My last book off the SSYRA 2017 list! I didn't think that this one would appeal to me personally, but I actually got really into it. The book is long for kids, but the chapters are short and it really sticks to the important plot highlights & character details rather than getting mired down in irrelevant info so it is still an achievable read. Loved the diversity in this book. And I got a little attached to Mr. Acevedo, who at first I didn't like because he was a little too unprofessional for me, but as a school system rebel myself, I loved his "do what's best for kids, not scores" attitude. I don't think it would be a very exciting read-aloud, but it's a great chapter book to get sports lovers reading.
ki4eva's review against another edition
4.0
Loved all the different characters and I wish their were more English teachers like this.
voya_k's review
5.0
I don't run across a lot of books for school-age kids that reflect a modern school experience and classroom, but this one does. A boy book, a diverse book, a reluctant reader friendly book, a book against testing, a book for kindness. And, kids will actually like it. Hats off to Phil Bildner!
angelina41's review
3.0
The plot wasn't especially interesting. Mr. Acevedo didn't always sound like a teacher sounds when they're talking to 5th graders. I really felt the authorial intrusion there.
Overall, I think kids who like basketball would enjoy reading it.
Overall, I think kids who like basketball would enjoy reading it.
barberchicago_books's review against another edition
5.0
These characters are in my heart forevermore. I can't wait to share them with my students.