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samiann's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mstolz's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
4.5
mjp_reads's review against another edition
4.0
Great read for sports fiction fans and those that like Lepich and Tim Green.
hermoine7's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
This book is a great book for kids and adults! You learn about disabilities and sports, especially wheelchair basketball. It’s about not giving up, being a team, and standing up for yourself! Great lessons in it.
the_fabric_of_words's review
5.0
Carlos was his basketball team's top scorer, but he's not great when it comes to passing to his teammates, so when he's in an accident that kills his parents and has to use a wheelchair, he thinks his basketball days are over.
Until his Aunt Rosie and Uncle Augie introduce him to wheelchair basketball in a run-down gym the team nicknames the "Rat Palace" after a rat missing a leg steals a bite from Carlos' donut.
Carlos and his teammates battle not just to make it to the state finals, but to keep the Rat Palace, which the mayor is determined to tear down.
I won't say how the kids do it, but there's a bully who changes his stripes and helps lead the charge, so to speak.
This was a fun read, and I finally -- after four years of watching middle school and frosh basketball -- read an explanation of "boxing out" that I understood!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Until his Aunt Rosie and Uncle Augie introduce him to wheelchair basketball in a run-down gym the team nicknames the "Rat Palace" after a rat missing a leg steals a bite from Carlos' donut.
Carlos and his teammates battle not just to make it to the state finals, but to keep the Rat Palace, which the mayor is determined to tear down.
I won't say how the kids do it, but there's a bully who changes his stripes and helps lead the charge, so to speak.
This was a fun read, and I finally -- after four years of watching middle school and frosh basketball -- read an explanation of "boxing out" that I understood!
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
jennybeastie's review against another edition
5.0
Jam-packed, exciting story focused on a wheelchair basketball team that is fighting to become a strong team and save their community gym. Tons of issues in here -- from the various personal stories of the kids on the teams (losing parents, dealing with chronic illness, foster system) to the backstory of the notorious school bully (DV) to the loving family that Carlos, the main character, has created with his aunt and uncle following the death of his parents in the same accident that paralyzed him. Diverse kids, diverse stories, a little old fashioned sleuthing, some spectacular teamwork, and fascinating game play-by-plays. A lot of heart in this book, and what I loved is that while those back stories give the characters appeal and life, the book is ultimately about sports kids playing sports, and the author never forgets that or trivializes it.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss.
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