Long Shot

July 1, 2002
Gr 3-6 -This is an engaging basketball tale even though there is little playing action. Nick loves the game, and he and his best friend and teammate, Kia, were on the all-city team last season. The story revolves around the tryouts for this year's lineup. At the first session, their coach announces that he is retiring and will be replaced by Len Barkley, a former college star athlete whose ankle injury ended his brief pro-ball career. The new, perfectionist coach browbeats and humiliates the kids, especially his own son. When at last he selects 12 members for the team, they all walk out of the gym, led by his son and then Nick. Chastened, the coach visits Nick at home to apologize for his bad behavior, with plans to visit the rest of the team as well. Nick's mom and dad are characterized as concerned and realistic parents who let their son decide about playing for Coach Barkley. The transformation of the coach is a little abrupt and unrealistic, but the comfortable friendship between Nick and Kia is reason enough to add this title to sports-fiction shelves. The way it puts sports participation in proper perspective is another. The black-and-white drawings scattered throughout are of average quality. -Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha, WI

Copyright 2002 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.