March Madness
book madness in the library!
books to read when you're not playing...or watching...or ignoring... :)
The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
- fiction. brothers. novel-in-verse (rap). F ALE
- won the Newbery Medal this year!
- sad news...another copy not available ANYWHERE! Put a hold on it here or at the public library.
- two brothers and their love of basketball--and their love for each other
Box Out by John Coy
- fiction. coach/athlete conflict. F COY
- touches on an issue not in most books--prayer in school.
- Liam is finally getting a chance to live his dream, but then has to decide if he's going to go along with something he's pretty sure is not allowed, or if he's going to stand up to what is right.
Night Hoops by Carl Deuker
- fiction. friendship. F DEU
- review: maybe a little slow to start, but really gets going later!
- Nick has a dream to play varsity basketball, and he's going to do everything he can to make that dream come true.
- Obstacles he has to overcome to achieve his dream: his parents getting a divorce, dealing with his angry, basketball-playing neighbor.
Travel Team by Mike Lupica
- fiction. underdog story. F LUP
- Danny loves basketball and works really hard even though he is short. Because of his height, he gets cut from the town's traveling team. His dad, who played for the same team when he was a kid, decides Danny deserves another chance and forms another travel team. Can this new team find success?
Athlete vs. Mathlete by W.C. Mack
- fiction. twin brothers, told from both perspectives. F MAC
- Owen is the basketball playing brother, Russell is the captain of the mathlete team. When the coach recruits Russell to join the basketball team, suddenly the two brothers are in competition.
- not as serious as the other books on this list--funny moments!
Boost by Kathy MacKel
- fiction. sisters. steroids. F MAC
- Savvy is an 8th grader but good enough to try out for the high school team. Her sister is a cheerleader that realizes she's not going to get the position she wanted. When both of them have trouble living up to expectations, they have to figure out how they're going to improve their performances. When steroids are found in Savvy's gym bag, she and her sister have to prove their innocence.
Slam by Walter Dean Myers
- fiction. conquering obstacles in life. F MYE
- classic title (pretty old, but still relevant issues), won awards when it was published
- urban setting--tough environment for main character and issues that go along with that. Can he get past all the challenges in his life to do what he loves?