SO I'M FIFTY: sports

Monday, December 9, 2013

MMGM: Double Dribble by W.C. Mack

Published: November 5, 2013
ISBN: 1619631296
Genre: Middle grade, contemporary
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA, children
Themes: friendship, basketball/sports, family, self-discovery, twins, team
Add it on: Goodreads, / Amazon / Barnes And Noble/ *Indie Bound*

About The Book: One month ago, academic whiz Russell Evans never thought he'd be a basketball superstar. But now he's playing on the seventh-grade team alongside his fraternal twin, Owen, and they're tearing up the court. The Pioneers are on a winning streak, and Russ and Owen are getting along better than ever. Until the Matthews twins (Mitch and Marcus) show up. These twins are a triple threat: practically basketball pros, academic geniuses, and . . . identical. Things heat up on the court and in the classroom as these brothers are poised to rule the school.

Now Russ and Owen are fighting for the spotlight, and sabotage seems like their only hope. But when Marcus suffers an injury and Mitch falters during a big game without him, it becomes clear that the Matthews are powerless when separated. Will Russ and Owen take advantage? Or do they have other plans in mind?

First Line: The Woodland Wildcats were going down!

What Others Are Saying: "In this follow-up to Athlete vs. Mathlete (2013), fraternal twins Russell and Owen Evans are the foundation of their seventh-grade basketball team.[...] They subsequently intimidate and wow their new classmates. Owen and Russell’s ability to operate individually is contrasted with the insular world Mitch and Marcus have created for themselves. The author gives the Matthews twins a bit of a pass in terms of how their attitude initially sets the Evans twins against them, but, in the end, all the boys must work out a satisfactory way to coexist as teammates. The basketball action—usually seen through the eyes of Owen—is well paced and will appeal to athletes and mathletes alike." —Booklist

"Although hardly an insightful examination of brotherly problems, ample basketball play-by-play makes this a more attractive offering for reluctant readers." —Kirkus Reviews

Bloggers Weigh In:

Bring On The Books

The Artolater

Ms. Yingling Reads

What I Thought: This is actually the second in the series, the first called, Athlete vs. Mathlete is about the twins and their struggle to find their place and get along. Double Dribble picks up where the first book left off. It isn't necessary to read the first to understand the second. I love the POV change every chapter and Mack has done an excellent job of differentiating the voice. I appreciated that her characters aren't stereotypical jocks or good students. This is fast moving, full of lively conversations and interior dialogue. Boys and girls will appreciate the details and challenges these middle grade students experience.

About The Author: W.C. Mack

Website

Blog

Who: W. C. Mack was born in Vancouver, B.C. and now lives in Portland, Oregon. Always a Canucks fan, she has also been known to cheer for the Portland Winterhawks.

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Celebrating Teen Read Week: Dive by Hannah Safren

In support of ALA's Teen Read Week I'll be highlighting a new TEEN read each day! Don't miss one!

Published: April 12th 2013
ISBN: 1938912284
Genre: YA
Publisher: Write Bloody Publishing
Themes: baseball, friends, family, coping, change
Add it on: Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes And Noble/ *Indie Bound*

About The Book: The empowering story of one female athlete's incredible discovery of what it means to truly feel alive. Based on Reba Tutt's heart-wrenching life and fight, Dive details the painful, yet empowering process of healing. The murder of Reba's older sister, Ari, fuels painful flashbacks and unstitches eight years of Reba's healing. With just two months to go before graduation, Reba is consumed by the past, lost in the present and hesitant for the future. With the support of her boyfriend, Pittsburgh basketball player Ronald Ramon, the guidance of her father, and the need to keep her final promise to her mother, Reba learns what it means to accept and persevere through life's many challenges.

First Line: That winter I didn't know if I'd make it.

Quotable Quote: "Surviving is simple. It's nothing more than breathing, moving, eating, and sleeping. Living, however, requires far more than just being alive; it requires feeling alive. It requires a sense of fearlessness and an urge to grow- not just because the days pass, but for a reason, for a purpose." (Chapter 13)

What Other's Are Saying: "I couldn't see the main problem here. Well, yes I know Reba Tutt was trying to move one, but that was just it. I remember couple days ago my lecture said that the main character can't build the story by itself, supporting characters are important. But in this story, the supporting characters had nothing to do with the main topic. So the story is just all about Reba Tutt. In each chapter, Reba brought out a piece of her journals. This is what I liked the most, the journal! There are so many inspiring words on them." —Awesome Nerd

Plays for the Pittsburg Panthers

What I Thought: This was a wonderful non-fiction about overcoming obstacles. I loved how Reba used her sports to relieve her stress and give her something to focus on. It would have been easy for her to just give-up and succumb to her sadness. Even though the story is a bit thin on character and plot development, the journal entries are enough to propel this to a great read for teens. Especially, anyone facing adversity. The message: Life is more than just surviving.