Review: Her Good Side

 

As a writer of adult romance, Rebekah Weatherspoon moves to YA with this book:

It was REALLY good. Here are 5 things I loved about it:

I really loved how these two teens felt anxious about dating and worked together in their fake relationship.

Grab this one, you'll enjoy it!

Graphic Novel Review: Hoops

Indiana 1975 is the start of a ladies' high school basketball team and the start of a state championship.  Judy has always wanted to play basketball but there was never a ladies' team before. She skips cheerleading practice to try-out. But with only 8 ladies interested, everyone makes the team.

At the first game, they find out there are no uniforms. They don't have a bus. They don't have much of anything. But what they do have is heart. The inequality bugs them. But until they have people watching their game, they're forced to deal with it.

So, they try to fill the seats, but it doesn't quite work. How can they move forward when everyone else is holding them back?

My Thoughts: I loved this graphic novel, I couldn't put it down. I loved the struggle these girls faced - both in basketball and in getting respect. I loved their struggles as a team and how they worked through them and showed up for each other. I loved the funny moments - like seeing the camper for the first time. A very inspiring read full of heart, determination, hard work, and friendship. This book is a great introduction to Title IX and equality. 

Cover Thoughts: Great

Source: My library

Library Recommendations: A must have graphic novel for your school or public library collection!

Children's Basketball Books: A Place to Start

 If you have a kiddo curious about basketball or who just loves the sport. 

Here's a great place to start in books

1. Fiction

2. Fiction written by the pros

3. Biographies - read up on your favorite superstars

4. About the Game

And if you're looking for middle grade books here's a list of Books with Female Main Characters and Middle Grade and YA Books with Male Main Characters

Review: We Are Family

 

Jayden Carr has been training all summer to be ready for Hoop Group--the free afterschool basketball program where his hero, NBA superstar Kendrick King, got his start. But when his beloved coach tells him there's not going to be a Hoop Group this year, Jayden is heartbroken.

And he's not the only one. Coach Beck's daughter, Tamika, was planning to be the first girl ever to start for the squad. Chris King, Kendrick's only nephew, spent the summer bragging that his uncle was coming home just to watch him play. For Anthony Pierson, Hoop Group was supposed to be his way out of trouble. And for Dexter Donyel, all 4'6" of him, Hoop Group was his chance to finally be part of a team, instead of just watching from the stands.

For each kid, Hoop Group was more than just a chance to ball; it was an escape, a dream, a family. Now their prospects seem all but impossible--but then the world hasn't met Jayden, Tamika, Chris, Anthony, and Dex before. Determined to have their shot, the five new friends scrap, hustle, fight, and play hard to save their season to prove that sometimes a chance is all it takes. - Summary from the publisher

My Thoughts: I really liked this book.* I loved Jayden but my heart went out of the Tamika. I adored her characters and how she was determined to make this team happy - even if it meant standing up to her father. I loved Chris's story arc and how he changed. I loved how this team became a team of underdogs but had each other's backs. 

*There was one nitpicking problem and that was the layout. I didn't like how they characters switched POVs in the middle of the chapters. It was sometimes hard to figure out the new character's POV and took me out of the story.

Cover Thoughts: Fantastic - so many little details.

Source: My Library

Library Recommendation: A must have book for school and public libraries.

Review: She Drives Me Crazy

 

Basketball player Scottie Zajac has never liked cheerleader Irene Abraham. Especially after Irene towed her car at a party. So she's less than thrilled when the fender bender in the parking lot happens with Irene.

Even worse, their moms get involved. Neither of the girls can stop the plans their moms put into place. Scottie will drive Irene to and from school until her car is fixed. In their forced time together, they trade snarky comments.

But people take notice of them driving together - especially Scottie's ex girlfriend.  Which makes Scottie hatch a fake dating plan. If it works, her ex might no longer be an ex.

My Thoughts: From the moment I heard about this book, I needed to read it. And I loved it. So many awesome parts: basketball, cheerleading (of course it's a sport), fake dating, enemies to lovers trope, friendship, and of course the romance. I loved the snark and the banter between Scottie and Irene. I loved the sports award drama and how it all turned out. I enjoyed the families of each girl - especially Scottie's sisters. I didn't want to put this book down, it was super good!

Cover Thoughts: Perfection

Source: My library

Library Recommendation: Grab this sports romance for your teen collections! Highly Recommended.

Book Lists: More Basketball Books

 

Yesterday I talked about Big Shots and middle grade basketball books with female leads.

Today I have a middle grade boys list and a YA boys list.

Check them out:

Middle Grade:

Not pictured on Middle Grade:

Standford Wong Flunks Big Time by Lisa Lee

Power Forward by Hena Khan

YA:

Not pictured on the YA:

books by Carl Deuker
Hooper by Geoff Herbach

Box Out by John Coy

Sixth Man by John Feinstein

* and yes, I know there is one big author missing from the YA and middle grade list, but due to their behavior, I'm not highlighting them on this blog.

Nonfiction Review: NBA Playoffs

My team, the Celtics, might be out of the playoffs, but I still like seeing a great playoff game.

And reading about basketball. So I picked up this book, new to my library, and read it.

It was pretty good. I had one problem with the book:

The birth of the superteam didn't begin with James, Wade, and Bosh - it began with these three:

Photo Credit: The Boston Globe

The rest of the book had amazing photographs, great information, and lots of knowledge about the beginning years.

Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your school and public libraries; it's perfect for your basketball loving readers. 

Middle Grade Review: Lizzy Legend

Lizzy's the best basketball player in her grade; she takes after her father. She's always working on her skills. When she finally makes the boy's team, she proud of herself.

But one day she answers a strange call. At first she thinks it's just another bill collector, but it turns out Lizzy's given a wish. She wishes never to miss a basketball shot again. Nothing but net - every single time.

That's when everything changes...

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book - I'm always interested in sports books, especially ones with girl main characters. I enjoyed how Lizzy made her way to the top. I loved her relationship with Toby, he added some humor to the story. I liked Lizzy's attitude - even though every shot would go in, she still worked on her skills. I liked the format of the book - interviews mixed in with the story. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library
Library Recommendation: Grab this one for your sporty readers.

Review: This Way Home

Elijah's a god on the basketball court. During the summer before his senior year of high school, he's determined to win the three on three tournament with his two best friends. Together, they can out play anyone.

When Michael comes to them with  new shoes, Dylan and Elijah can't believe their good fortune - especially when Michael swears they come without ties.

Elijah wants to win and he wants that prize money. But at what cost? Between avoiding the gangs of Baltimore and leaving this city behind through basketball, Elijah has plans for the future. Right now his plans include winning and holding down his summer job.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book - read it in one sitting. I loved the basketball scenes - it made me want to go shoot hoops. 

I really liked the banter between the three friends. I loved the moments between Banks and Elijah. 

That ending really surprised me - I didn't see it coming. It made me sad, but it also made me think about the entire book. Part of me wanted to go back and read it again.

Cover Thoughts: It's hard to see the basketball on the book - I wish it was easier to see.
Source: My Library

Final Thoughts: Teens will dig this book

March Madness: Basketball Books

March Madness hits this week - score big with these books

 Slam Dunk: A great book that with have basketball fans checking out and arguing over the lists. Perfect for conversation starters. Perfect for fans of the game. Great for reluctant readers.

HORSE: A fun basketball game that leaves two friends boasting about how they will shoot the most amazing shot ever.

Salt in his Shoes: a picture book about basketball legend Michael Jordan

Basketball Belles: The history of women's basketball

STAT: Amar'e loves playing basketball with his friends but when a bunch of older bullies try to take their court, he has to come up with a plan to regain control of the court. 

Travel Team: When Danny's cut from the team for being too small, his father and ex-NBA player helps him create a second travel team.

Crossover:  Josh has basketball in his blood, but his twin brother stopped playing. Josh isn't sure how to connect with his brother anymore. This novel in verse is as fast paced as a good basketball game. 

Miracle on 49th Street: Think the movie the Game Plan but with an older girl and a NBA star instead of football. 

Basketball Books I haven't read:

What are you favorite books about basketball?