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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
This book was great and I feel like it was in my opinion MY kind of book and I really loved it. It spoke to me and I really liked the dynamics between the characters but it’s not perfect but I did enjoy the book a lot so 4.8
It’s 2:52 am goodnight
It’s 2:52 am goodnight
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
really enjoyed it. quick read. didn't necessarily understand all of the b-ball jargon, but got the gist and the excitement and passion of it.
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nick is the focus of his sports-obsessed father. So obsessed that Nick’s parents are divorcing. Trent’s older brother is a criminal. Even dragged Trent into some of his stupid plans. At least Nick has a basketball court in his backyard to distract his mind from the family. And it works, until Trent shows up and wants to play.
I am very glad one of our wonderful teachers suggested purchasing books by Carl Deuker. They are a great middle school reads. I really enjoyed the book. I am not a big reader of books about sports, but this was so much more.
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was really good. Out of all the books I have read this semester, this one is by far my favorite. The book is about basketball and the main character Nick who is in love with the sport. Nick is a sophomore in high school who also has an older brother who plays basketball. Nick's brother doesn't like basketball though and just wants to play in the band. Nick's dad wants his son to play basketball and train every day because of his height and strength. Throughout the book, Nick gets jealous because his dad only cares about his brother even though he doesn't like the sport and he does. Towards the middle of the book, Nick starts training every day without his dad caring about him, because he moved out because of a fight with the move. Overall the book was very good and I enjoyed the different characters throughout, it's just hard to explain everything in not very many words and do a project at the same time.
While I really enjoy reading YA fiction, some books I read ONLY as an attempt to find something my boys (reluctant readers) might enjoy. This book was one of those. I started it and immediately felt it would be a good fit for my 13-year old basketball boy. It had an easy, conversationalist tone to the writing. I felt there were quite a few parallels that my son could connect with. I went ahead and finished the book and I liked it, and look forward to hearing from him what he thinks.
There is a LOT of basketball talk, descriptions of plays and movements that if you are NOT into basketball, will probably get annoying.
My 4-star review is more as a parent, recommending the book than me "really liking it" although it really was pretty decent. Just a little too simple in the writing for my taste at the moment. Comparable to other 3-star books on this MY list.
There is a LOT of basketball talk, descriptions of plays and movements that if you are NOT into basketball, will probably get annoying.
My 4-star review is more as a parent, recommending the book than me "really liking it" although it really was pretty decent. Just a little too simple in the writing for my taste at the moment. Comparable to other 3-star books on this MY list.
I'm currently reading a Carl Deuker book to my older boys and I'm really interested in it, so I thought I'd read another one of his books that my boys have loved. The writing is fast-paced and interesting, but there is a lot of basketball description in this one, so kids who aren't into basketball may not like it. Deuker describes some real issues that teenagers have to deal with, but kept it really clean, at least in this one.
A review from my old blog...
I have to admit that the cover art turned me off slightly to the book. I know better, though, than to judge a book by the cover. Some books that I know are not worth my time to read have such great covers that I want to read despite knowing what's inside. That is beside the point though.
I really liked this book. I have always loved sports even though the only sport that I played fairly decently was softball. This book tells the story of Nick Abbott, an aspiring basketball player with many different things pulling him in various directions: his parents' divorce, his father's desire to see him become an exceptional basketball player after giving up on Scott... Nick's older brother, a neighbor he wanted nothing to do with and various other things.
Nick, a fairly talented player, does not achieve immediate success. Instead he has to go back to the beginning and learn things the hard way. He had to learn teamwork and various other positive lessons. Although life doesn't always end up with championships Deuker creates a fairly realistic story that doesn't gloss over the ugly side of life.
I definitely recommend this book.
I have to admit that the cover art turned me off slightly to the book. I know better, though, than to judge a book by the cover. Some books that I know are not worth my time to read have such great covers that I want to read despite knowing what's inside. That is beside the point though.
I really liked this book. I have always loved sports even though the only sport that I played fairly decently was softball. This book tells the story of Nick Abbott, an aspiring basketball player with many different things pulling him in various directions: his parents' divorce, his father's desire to see him become an exceptional basketball player after giving up on Scott... Nick's older brother, a neighbor he wanted nothing to do with and various other things.
Nick, a fairly talented player, does not achieve immediate success. Instead he has to go back to the beginning and learn things the hard way. He had to learn teamwork and various other positive lessons. Although life doesn't always end up with championships Deuker creates a fairly realistic story that doesn't gloss over the ugly side of life.
I definitely recommend this book.