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A review by tcbueti
A Whole New Ballgame by Phil Bildner
5.0
I thought this did a great, natural job of weaving together lots of threads--ASD best friend, basketball action, classmate in a wheelchair, standardized testing debate/school budgets AND an African American protagonist--with humor and GREAT basketball action.
Rip and Red have their routines, just as friends, and also because Red functions better without too many surprises. So having a new teachers, and Red's aide not coming around as much, and especially the change in the basketball program (playing other schools) could be disastrous. But with Rip's help, everyone figures out a way to help Red be part of the team--and he even helps win a game with his free-throw chops. With lots of practice and game play-by-play (one of Rip's talents) basketball and teamwork are front & center here.
Classroom changes need tweaking, too, but Mr Acevedo, the tattooed and pierced, no worksheets, teacher theater timing, bathtub reading space, Spanish wisdom sharing new teacher and basketball coach is flexible and kind. Rip helps here, too. while also working with a prickly classmate in a wheelchair. His "Nasty" project with her ends up normalizing her experience for the whole class--what's the worst things she rolls through?
So sometimes things that seem impossible aren't, and taking chances can pay off. People can surprise you. Funny, sporty and wise. Illustrated by Tim Probert, who also did PICKLE (which kids often ask about, as in : "Do you have more like PICKLE?"
Rip and Red have their routines, just as friends, and also because Red functions better without too many surprises. So having a new teachers, and Red's aide not coming around as much, and especially the change in the basketball program (playing other schools) could be disastrous. But with Rip's help, everyone figures out a way to help Red be part of the team--and he even helps win a game with his free-throw chops. With lots of practice and game play-by-play (one of Rip's talents) basketball and teamwork are front & center here.
Classroom changes need tweaking, too, but Mr Acevedo, the tattooed and pierced, no worksheets, teacher theater timing, bathtub reading space, Spanish wisdom sharing new teacher and basketball coach is flexible and kind. Rip helps here, too. while also working with a prickly classmate in a wheelchair. His "Nasty" project with her ends up normalizing her experience for the whole class--what's the worst things she rolls through?
So sometimes things that seem impossible aren't, and taking chances can pay off. People can surprise you. Funny, sporty and wise. Illustrated by Tim Probert, who also did PICKLE (which kids often ask about, as in : "Do you have more like PICKLE?"