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A review by bickie
Sasquatch in the Paint by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld
4.0
Theo Rollins lives with his police-officer dad in Orange County, California, and is in 8th grade at a mostly Asian and Latino middle school. His best friend since 2nd grade, Brian, is on the Aca-lympics team with him, but Theo has also just joined the basketball team after having grown 8 inches over the summer. Theo is trying hard to learn about basketball (he's not even a fan and has never heard of Dr. J.), and when he joins a pick-up game at the park, he meets a smart, basketball-playing, trash-talking and enigmatic girl, Rain, who seems to be being pursued by two motorcycle riders. When one of them threatens Theo, he wonders whether he should tell his dad. Everything comes to a head on "Black Friday" - Will he get kicked off the Brain Train team? Will he get kicked off the basketball team? Will Motorpsycho kill him?
This book captures adolescent confusion, changes in friendships and self-perception, and typical middle school issues without being preachy or lame. Adults are generally positive role models, and there are positive messages about religious (and other) tolerance. A great book to put into the hands of Kwame Alexander fans or kids who can't get past checking out sports books.
Best for ages 11-14.
This book captures adolescent confusion, changes in friendships and self-perception, and typical middle school issues without being preachy or lame. Adults are generally positive role models, and there are positive messages about religious (and other) tolerance. A great book to put into the hands of Kwame Alexander fans or kids who can't get past checking out sports books.
Best for ages 11-14.