Lupica,
Mike. Game
Changers/Play Makers. Scholastic Press 2013 201p $16.99 ISBN 978-0-545-38183-3 ms/jr (Grades 5-8) Sports VG-BN
Ben and his teammates and best friends
from football season (the first book in the Game Changers series) are
now playing basketball together on a community team. Ben and his friends have just won the football championship and it
looks as if they may win the basketball championship for 11-year-olds -- that is, until Chase, a
newcomer and outstanding ball player, arrives to play on an opposing team. Ben’s quest to be the best basketball player
meets some unexpected challenges --
namely, the injury of best friend Sam in a late-night
pickup game and worrying that a female friend from his early childhood may be interested in
Chase. With plenty of play-by-play basketball action on the courts during close
games, as
well as the retelling of best plays by pro and college players, fans of
basketball will thoroughly enjoy this book. Verbal
sparring
on the court between Chase and Ben provides a moment to subtly teach what sportsmanship is all about. The care and concern of coaches and parents is a nice touch showing that values
can be imparted in casual conversation. Ben’s ability to be self-reflective
about his actions and abilities allows him to mature both as a person and an athlete. Fans will be anxious
to read the next book in the series, which
features baseball.
The bumpy feel of the cover,
resembling a basketball, gives a nice tactile feel. Game
Changers highlights middle-school best friends
who play sports together. Interwoven into the play-by-play sports action are
life lessons presented in a subtle manner. The boys learn about relationships and what it is to be a friend
and leader.
Basketball --Lois
McNicol
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