Reviews (9)

Greatbook
This book was one of the best books i have ever read. It has a lot of action and mystery.

An Amazing Read
I loved The Last Shot. I was on the edge of my seat the whole time I read it. I also really admire the character, Susan Carol Anderson,she was just so outgoing. She also didn't care about what other people thought. I would recommend this book to anyone who would like to read it.

Middle School Adventure
As a middle school teacher with 18 years of experience, I found Last Shot to be a solid, if somewhat old-fashioned, mystery that should be recommended to all middle school students, most definitely adolescent sports fans, who may be reluctant readers. The plot includes enough suspense and suspicion to captivate the reader, yet is free of harsh profanity and other objectionable material that is so abundant in today's young adult fiction.
Especially refreshing are the two main characters, who will stop at nothing to 'right the wrongs' they've encountered on their unique adventure. They demonstrate intelligence,motivation,and resourcefulness in their mission to out-wit a few loathsome characters in the NCAA arena. Last Shot is an easy read and worth the time.

excellent sports book for teens
This book is full of factual background on the Final Four from the author's experience, which makes it really interesting.I'm buying copies for several teens I know.It's the kind of book that when the teen leaves it lying on the coffee table, dad or mom will wind up engrossed in it.

There are, at this date, two reviews of this book with attacks on the author but no comments on the book.I have no idea what theman is like, but this book is really good either way.The author he could be a total jerk or an angel for all I know -- he's probably just some guy who annoys other people.There are a lot of those.

However, I can say that this book is most likely NOT derived from another author's book on blackmail in the Final Four; both books would be derived from real life scandals of the 50's and 80's.The idea that blackmail or other unethical/illegal techniques would be used in the highly lucrative field of professional sports is not a recent one nor one which need be derived from fiction.One can find both fictional and real-life cases of this going back a lot farther than the past decade.

Great read by Feinstein
As an adult drawn to this book by Fienstein's 'non-fiction' name, I was incredibly surprised how much of a page-turner this was. Mr. Feinstein has performed the difficult task of creating two highly likeable and lifelike characters, while at the same time building a suspenful plot that contains numerous twists and turns the average reader won't be able to predict.

Anyone with teens and pre-teens should be buying this great book as a favor to their young readers.

And by the way, adults will enjoy it too! I certainly did. ... Read more

Book Description

Sixteen-year-old "Slam" Harris is counting on his noteworthy basketball talents to get him out of the inner city and give him a chance to succeed in life, but his coach sees things differently. ... Read more

Reviews (109)

A Slam Dunk Book
Greg Harris, known as Slam is an outstanding seventeen year old basketball player from Harlem. He attends Latimer Arts Magnet High School. Slam's grades are slipping fast, but his basketball skills are what keeps him motivated. His grades are bad enough that Mr. Tate, the principal has a meeting with Slam and his mom about getting a tutor to help bring up his math grades. Slam wants no part of having a tutor.
The book introduces you to Slam's family. They live in an apartment building located in Harlem. Harlem is a poor area to live in. Slam is used to seeing drug dealers and people spaced out on drugs on the streets. It's nothing for Slam to see people sleeping or passed out on the stairwells of the old run down buildings of Harlem. Slam lives with his mom whom he calls moms. She is a caring and loving person. He also lives with his dad who he calls pops. His dad is out of work and is an alcoholic. Derek is Slam's nine year old brother. Slam's grandmother is sick in the hospital. This is hard on Slam's mom. His mom is afraid Slam's grandmother is going to die.
Slam decides to join the school basketball team. Latimer is coming off of their fifth losing season. Slam is surprised only twelve people show up for the tryouts. Coach Nipper and Slam have a disagreement during tryouts. This puts a strain on their relationship right away.
Benny Reese known as Ice is Slam's best friend. Ice attends Carver High School, where he is a star basketball player. Mtisha is Slam's girlfriend. She thinks Ice is dealing drugs because of his sudden increase of money. Mtisha wants Slam to find out if her suppositions are true. Slam doesn't want to believe that Ice is dealing drugs.
Slam knows from seeing other people dealing drugs on the streets that it's an easy way to make cash. He also knows dealing with drugs will put an end to any hopes and dreams for a promising future. Slam dreams of becoming a player in the NBA. He thinks about marrying Mtisha and having a family.
Slam shows some interest in school when he and a girl named Margerie are assigned to do a project together. They are to make a movie of Slam's neighborhood. The film will show what goes on in the life of Greg "Slam" Harris. Slam seems like a real natural with a camera. Even Slam's brother gets into the project.
As you read the book you realize that Slam's bad grades are no his only problem. Slam's major obstacle is his attitude. After a confrontation with Mr. Parrish during class Slam comes close to hitting the teacher. Mr. Goldstein, the assistant coach has a heart to heart talk with Slam, telling Slam he needs to change his attitude toward life. Slam changes his attitude for the better. He finds out that he is not a failure if he excepts help from others.

I thought "Slam" was an excellent book. The story goes into such great detail, that I could put myself in the book. I felt like I was in the crowd watching Slam play basketball. This book introduced me to a teenager's life in Harlem. It made me stop and think how lucky I am not to have the added pressures of the inner city life. Slam was an inspiration to me. He doesn't give into the pressure around him even though he is pushed very hard. My favorite part of the book is when Slam realizes his attitude is his biggest enemy. He started to improve himself as a person. I recommend "Slam" to anyone over the age of 12.

Slam!
First of all i think that Walter Dean Myers is a great Author and when i started reading Slam, i thought to myself is this book only going to be about basketball? Then i started really getting into the book when Slam started talking about how much he loves basketball, but how low his grades are. Now days that is the problem with young teenagers, they tend to have problems with bringing their grades up but they have the skills to play sports. If you are that kind of person who really likes reading about drama, then you would like this book so much that it would be hard to put it down. This book will also make you think things more differently. Let's talk about the main character Slam... he has a very strong attitude problem that is the way everyone else sees it, but he knows how to keep it real and chill, but he also has some problems with keeping up with his grades and he thinks he just had enough with the books, but he doesn't give up. Overall, I rated this book the highest because I loved it.

You got slammed on!
Slam is the best book about basketball i have ever read. his basketball skills are just like mine. People underestimate my Skillz but when i get on the court they are put on hushmouf. me and slam have a lot in common.

Be Like Slam & Never Give Up!
"Impossible is nothing!" What a great statement! You can do just about anything in life if you put your mind to it. Through an adventurous world of Slam, he once decided he would give up something he really loved and was good at.

A 17-year-old boy named Greg Harris better known, as "Slam" is a very talented and athletic individual. He lives with his mom, dad, and a younger annoying brother named Derek. He calls his mother mom and his dad pops. He has his dream set on playing in the NBA and marrying his college-bound girlfriend Mtisha. Slam lives somewhat of a rough life, he lives his life making many changes and one of the greatest changes is, changing schools. He moves from Carver to Latimer Arts High School. He has to leave behind all his friends and a team that he once was devoted to. At his new school he has to face many challenges, there he makes new friends and new enemies. He becomes apart of the basketball team at Latimer, it is hard for Slam to really become apart of the team because Slam has a bad attitude and doesn't know how to control his temper. Slam really contributes to his team by helping them win lot of games. His best friend from Carver, Benny Resse, also known as Ice, is also a skilled one on the basketball court. It turns out; Ice and Slam go head to head to win the championship. Ice gets caught up with the wrong crowd andbegins to head in the wrong direction. By Ice going in the wrong direction it really separates the friendship between Slam and Ice.

Through all the battles and conflicts that Slam faced, he still managed to get by and successfully gets what he wanted. Slam never gave up and continued to try hard. Even though the conflicts sometimes pulled him down, he got right back up and continued his journey through life.

By not giving up hope and not giving up you will successfully reach your goal. You may face some obstacles but if you keep trying, then impossible is nothing when you want to reach your goal.

This book is a great read for anyone . "SLAM"teaches the reader to their best and never give up. This book is thriller and adventurous, I recommend this book to anyone, especially sports fanatics.

Slam right in your face
In the book Slam, a 17 year old kid named Greg Harris, known as Slam loved to play basketball. On the court he could do it all. When he had the ball no one could take his game. But he was wrong.
He had to switch schools from Carver to Latimer Arts High School. He made some friends and some enemies. His grades and attitude were not getting him anywhere.
He calls his mother moms and his dad pops. At the beginning I was confused cause I thought he had two moms and two dads. Slam had a friend at Carver named Ice. He finds out his grandma is sick in the hospital and might not make it. Later on in the book she gets better.
He cheats on his girlfriend Mtisha by making out with her best friend. They made up and everything is okay. He finds out that he has to play against his best friend and compete in a game. Slam wins but gets in a fight with him. He gets a 34 on his math test and knows he has to get his grades up or he will not play basketball. He thinks his man Ice is dealing with drugs cause he is been getting lots of money from somewhere.
Slam's math teacher Mr. Parrish starts dissing him right there in class and when he is about to throw a punch his teacher runs to the principal's office. Slam goes the other way and leaves to go to a little restaurant. Mr. Goldstein his assistant coach follows him. Goldy talks to him about his problems and later in the book his attitude goes down a little bit. Slam and this one girl had to make a video tape about anything. So Slam made a tape about everything he saw that week, environment, neibors and friends.
Latimer High School is in the championship game against Carver for their first time in 5 years. This is because of Slam's abilities.
When I read the beginning of the book I did not think I would like it as much as I did after reading it. I would recommend this book to any one who enjoys playing basketball and has an attitude problem.
... Read more

Book Description

Produced in association with the NBA, this fun book teaches basic basketball vocabulary as well as strengthening counting and comprehension skills in an exciting, visually witty format. Children will love learning with their basketball heroes. ... Read more

Reviews (41)

A Captivating and Interesting Novel
This novel by David Klass tells the story of sixteen year old Jimmy Doyle and his journey from a small town in Minnesota to an American Dream Team basketball competition in Italy. At first, Jimmy doesn't want to leave his girlfriend Janey and his widowed mother and two younger sisters when basketball scouts recruit him. At his mother's urging, he flies to Los Angles for the team's training. He discovers that all the other members of the team are black and are some of the most well-known high school basketball players in America. The white boy from Minnesota doesn't quit fit in, but begins to learn about the lives of his black teammates. He develops an especially difficult relationship with Augustus, a tough dude from inner city Los Angeles.

When the Dream Team arrives in Italy, it faces neo-Nazi racism against the predominantly black players. Death threats provide a suspenseful plot as the American team accumulates victories on the court. The climax of the book teaches Jimmy that racism can hurt anyone.

I recommend this fast-paced book to any sports minded teenager who wants to see how people from different backgrounds can become friends and brothers under the skin. The conversation between the teenagers is realistic. Their lives are complicated. Jimmy takes risks in this book and learns that
having guts in dangerous zones can bring not just glory but also a deeper understanding of life.

A Great Mix of Basketball and Adventure
Danger Zone is a very good book. I really enjoyed it because it was about basketball and adventure. The Basketball part was easy for me to understand because I have played basketball in the past and I could relate to it, and the adventure part of the book kept me turning the pages to find out what would happen next. This book was also enjoyable for me because it was full of controversy and that made it very interesting for me to read. The controversy was of race, but David Klass did a great job of integrating basketball into the arguments also.

The main argument in the story is between Jimmy and Augustus. Both Jimmy and Augustus are on the USA's 17 and under American all star team. Augustus is mad at Jimmy because Jimmy took Augustus' cousin's place on the team and he thinks this is because Jimmy is white and his cousin is black. This fuels many arguments and ends up in an eventual temporary kidnap. The problem is still not solved in the last scene, but everyone seems to be happy and both Jimmy and Augustus are competitive but nice at the same time, which leads to a bumpy, but good ending.

All in all Danger Zone was a very intriguing that kept me wanting to read more and think about the book even when I wasn't reading it. This book is great for sports fans, thriller fans, or anyone else who likes to read. I would recommend it to anyone.

Small town Hero, Big Lessons learned
This book is about a small town hero named Jimmy Doyle, when the time is right, can do amazing things with a basketball. This is why he is selected to play for an American High School Dream Team. He will get the chance to travel around Europe. There is just one problem. In the town that he grew up in, there wasn't a lot of racial balance. He had only see a few African Americans in his lifetime, so coming to Los Angeles was a big step for him. He had to deal with his teammates who were predominately black. He has to deal with prejudices people thinking he is only there because he is white. He has some rough times with an LA native standout Augustus LeMay. Through out the book I think it is very interesting and wise that Jimmy tries to learn from Augustus. I think if more people try what Jimmy did, we wouldn't have half the problems we have in society today. Jimmy also get his first confrontation with racism when they travel to Germany and encounter some Skin Heads. This is probably a very tough experience for Jimmy because he has never been in this situation. I think people can learn a lot about this book, it teaches very good lessons. You learn some about the lifestyles people have growing up in large cities. Overall I believe this is probably one of the best books that I have read. I have now read it multiple times and recommend it to all of my friends.

Racism
A Reviewby Ian

Jimmy Doyle is a high school basketball player from Minnesota that is chosen to play on an All-American team that will travel to Italy to play in a tournament. Jimmy is soon to find out that not all of Jimmy's teammates want him on the team, mainly because he is white. Jimmy must endure racism and death threats from people around the world. Jimmy and his teammates must overcome racism to achieve their goals.

I like how this book keeps you on the edge of your seat. You always want to know what happens next in the story, and how Jimmy handles certain situations. I also admire the main character in the story, Jimmy. Not only is he a good basketball player, but he does a good job handling all of the racism and death threats he receives. Another thing I like about this book is how the team must overcome hostility from an entire country to achieve their goals and win. The team does a good job of sticking together to overcome many things, and not letting racism get the best of them.

I would definitely recommend this book to anybody who enjoys basketball, and suspense. I always wanted to know what was going to happen to Jimmy next. I think it is a really good book and it kept me on the edge of my seat the entire time.

Livin' on the Edge
A Review by Stefan

Jimmy Doyle, a seventeen year old from Minnesota, is a supremely skilled basketball player. When two scouts from Los Angeles, California come to talk to Jimmy Doyle about playing in an All National seventeen and under team, he accepts but only after being talked into it by his mother and his girlfriend. The team he plays for actually then goes to play in Europe where all the seventeen and under teams play for the world championship. Along the way, Jimmy makes some good friends, a few enemies while dealing with fear, doubt and concentration.

One thing that I love about Danger Zone is that David Klass portrays Jimmy in his home town of Granham, Minnesota as being the hometown basketball "hero". "Doyle, Doyle, Doyle went the sound of the bleachers as we walked onto the court for the second half". The second thing I like about Danger Zone is the realness it gives me from the coaches despite it being a fictional story. "'Okay, all you get your butts over here,' he shouted. 'Anybody who wises off will be running wind sprints till their legs fall off.'" The third thing I absolutely love about Danger Zone is the way Los Angeles is portrayed with such realism and nothing is held back. (With gangs and violence and such) "'You got the PG-13's, the 18th Street East, West, North and South. They don't like blacks too much. We get out of this car and inside five minutes we got guns to our heads.'"

To every basketball player or fan who has every wondered what its like to be one of the greats in the world at a sport like basketball, this is our book. If you're a kid or an adult who love books about basketball and the realism that lies within basketball, then this book is for you. This is an extremely interesting and intense book and it will keep you on the edge of your seat one hundred and ten percent of the time! ... Read more

Book Description

Marcus Robinson is psyched!Tomorrow, his class is going on a fieldtrip to a professional basketball arena to meet the one and only JasonCarter, Marcus's hero. Marcus usually ignores everything except forbasketball, but this time he studies for hours to win the math contest- for the prize of being the official Jason Carter greeter! But whenJason tells Marcus some things he didn't expect to hear aboutprofessional basketball, Marcus is confused. He thought that allhe'd ever need in life was basketball. Thanks to Jason, Marcus is aboutto learn the meaning of a real slam dunk. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

well written tale aimed at elementary school children
Twins Marcus and Mia as well as other students at their school look forward to meeting superstar basketball player Jason Carter just before a pro game.Both enjoy playing the game and Marcus, who is a math whiz, hopes to be as good as his hero Jason.His sister wants to be a reporter and is writing an article on the visit with Jason.The kids have good time while Jason encourages them to understand that there is more to life than sports as he was a chemistry major in college.

THE REAL SLAM DUNK is a well written tale aimed at elementary school children.Young readers will appreciate Marcus as he worries that Mia is taller than him and how to behave when he meets his hero.The story line makes no apologies in that it emphasizes education is more important of a dream although it is okay to want to be a famous wealthy basketball player.This reviewer kept thinking of Mrs. Reagan's unrealistic "Just say no" campaign as Jason preached having dreams outside the hardwood floor.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Book Description

Reviews (28)

Taking Sides book review
This novel is about this boy named Lincoln who needs to change different schools. The school he has to change is Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. The characters are: Lincoln, James, Monica, Mom, Roy, Coach Yesutis, Tony, Mr. Kimball, Mrs. Contras. The setting is: about Lincoln and his mother that are living in a barrio that are kind of junky neighborhood. Then, they move to San Francisco in the suburbs. Then they moved because they got robbed.

During one part of the book, Lincoln meets this girl Monica. Lincoln has a crush on her. Monica has told Lincoln that she used to play for the girls' team. I liked it when Monica and Lincoln had a connection, and they played basketball together.

It was difficult to understand why Roy liked Lincoln's mom. I didn't enjoy when Lincoln lied to Monica about going to a different church. Monica got mad. I also didn't like when someone broke in his house.

I recommend this book to others because you get to learn about Lincoln's life and how hard it is for his family. You can see how it is for his family and how easy it is for us. You probably don't get robbed every day like Lincoln and his mom.

Taking Sides Book Report
Taking side is about a boy named Lincoln who once lived in Barrio but moved to a nicer neighborhood called Sycamore becasue of a robbery in his house, which his stero and t.v. were stolen. He change schools from Franklin Jr. High to Columbus Jr. High. Lincoln was tall, not thin, black hair(like chunk of charcoal). In the story he has a nickname Linc. Lincoln was on the 1st string in basketball for his 8th grade team and good friends w/ James. His parents are split up and he is having a hard time finding friend because he just moved from a school that people don't really like. I would definately recommend this book to others who like to read a good book.

Audio Book Review for Ms. O
The story deals with moving, cultural differences and basketball. The main charactar is Lincoln Mendoza or as what his friends say, Linc. He moves from the bario to a white suburb because a burgler
took a tv. He used to play basketball for his oldschool(Columbus) and now plays for his new school(Franklin)and they have to play each other. He is becomes stressed out because he is playing against his old school and some of his old friends. As the game nears he gets into an arguement with one of his friends. On the night of the game he plays and loses. He doesn't mind because he made up with his friend that he argued with. I liked this book because the characters speak their native language, Spanish. It kept the feeling of a Hispanic-American community authentic.

Taking Sides
This novel is about Lincoln who goes to a new school. Lincoln likes to play basketball. He lives in a nice neighborhood called Sycamore. Lincoln and Tony are both friends.
I liked it when Lincoln and Tony were going to the barrio. I like that part when Lincoln's house got broken into. Lincoln was the basketball practice.
I did not like that part when Lincoln and Tony were arguing. I did not like that part when Tony left the Thrift shop. I also did not like that part when Lincoln hurt his knee.
YES! I would like other people to read a book because it's so much fun. There are Spanish words in the book. They like to read about the 2 boys playing basketball.

Taking Sides
I read a book called Taking Sides, written by Gary Soto. It's about Lincoln and Tony being best friends and Lincoln had a girl friend named Vicky. At this new school he liked somebody named Monica. Lincoln likes playing basketball.

I liked the part when Franklin beat Columbus in basketball. I like the part when Roy told a story about Coach Yesutis getting beat up by Franky Penada. I liked the part when Monica and Lincoln played basketball. I liked the part when Lincoln called Monica on the phone, because it is obvious that Lincoln liked Monica.

I didn't like it when Tony was hurting Lincoln's feelings at the thrift shop. The parts I didn't like are Tony's attitude. The dislike I didn't like was Coach Yesutis was yelling at Lincoln. The other part I didn't like was when James insulted Monica saying she's full Mexican.

I would recommend this book to others because if you know Spanish it will be easier for you. I would recommend this book, Taking Sides, because you can learn some Spanish words. I would recommend this book because it tells about basketball. I would also recommend this book because it shows relationship to Monica and Lincoln. ... Read more

Reviews (48)

"HOOPS"
Hoops Walter Dean Myers

When was the last time you read a great Walter Dean Myers book? He is a great author for teenaged readers. He writes about what teenagers go through in life. One example would be drugs. Another would be friends and the things they make you do. All of these things are talked about in this book. It's not directly said, but the author hints about these things. Other books that Walter Dean Myers has wrote like The Contender and Slam are other great books. If u read theses books you would notice that this is all compared to a teenage life.
The novel Hoops is a great book for kids that love basketball and kids that live in the ghetto. I think they would like it because it's realistic fiction and they will realize that they are not alone.
Almost everyone gets along with seventeen year-old Lonnie Jackson. He enjoys basketball and is the captain of his high school's basketball team. He is so good that if he keeps it up he could make it to the NBA. His coach Cal believes Lonnie could go all the way, but like any other kid, especially a kid from the ghetto, he struggles.
Someone is paying to keep Lonnie off the court. He has haters after him because they know he might go big and they are just jealous. Well, Lonnie is trying to find out the culprit, but he's running out of time.
This book was very good. I think I relate to the book and that's really what attached me to it. This book made me feel good. I felt that for the first time I had picked a book that I enjoyed. I think it's interesting that this author lived in the ghetto and has seen the things that have happened. I relate to the author because I think that all of his books, especially Hoops, relates to his life and the things he has been through. I don't think an author makes a book or a novel without reason. I think that there's always a reason for a book.

~...

A definite must read for anyone who loves basketball.
Hoops by Walter Dean Myers is a fantastic read. This is the first Myers book that I have read and it makes me want to read another. This is not just for people who enjoy basketball but for anyone who has ever had a difficult decision to make. Lonnie Jackson is a seventeen-year-old boy who lives in Harlem, New York. He is your typical teenager, his mom gets on his nerves, he has a job working at a hotel,he has a girl who he cares about but can't exactly tell her, and he gets into some mischief. One thing sets him aside though, that is his love for basketball and his skills. These skills help lead his team into a tournament where his coach, and friend,Cal gets involved in some gambling. He sits Lonnie out because he is supposedly injured. Does Cal keep Lonnie on the bench and lose or does he put him in and have a better chance of winning? Read Hoops and find out.

Hoops Summary
The book is about a teenager named Lonnie Jackson that wants to make it into the NBA. I didn't find the book too interesting until the final game. (which is in the last 1 or 2 chapters)I don't think someone should read the book unless they know a lot of basketball terms. I also think that boys will probably like this book more than girls. Simply, because it deals with a BOY that wants to make it to the NBA. I didn't enjoy this book too well, but maybe you will! Good luck reading!

Hoops Summary
Seventeen-year-old Lonnie Jackson is a star basketball player that dreams about making it into the NBA. There is an important game that he must play in and it will decide if he makes it into the NBA, but the pressure is high because some bettors want Lonnie to blow the game on purpose. Will Lonnie make it to the NBA or will he give in to the pressure? You'll have to read this action packed book to find out!

the best book ever
im not done reading it yet, but its an awesome book. its about lonnie jackson a street baller from harlem who playesin this tournament. at first he dont wanna play becausehis coach is a wino. but then he learns to like him. anyway i recommened this book ... Read more

Book Description

When former Richmond High School basketball legend Ken Carter agrees to take over his alma mater's floundering team, he has the players sign a contract that demands good grades, perfect class attendance, and suits on game days. With Coach Carter at the helm, the Oilers' record soon stands at 12 and 0. But when the coach learns that some members of his team are cutting class and failing academically, he locks them out of the gym, incurring the wrath of the players, the school, and the community. Coach Carter's determination to adhere to his convictions puts his philosophy and his players' trust to the ultimate test.

Book Description

Reverse spin, triple pump, reverse dribble, stutter step with twist to the left, stutter into jumper, blind pass. These are me. The moves make the man.The moves make me.

Jerome foxworthy -- the Jayfox to his friends -- likes to think he can handle anything. He handled growing up without a father. He handled being the first black kid in school. And he sure can handle a basketball.

Then Jerome meets bix Rivers -- mysterious and moody, but a great athlete. So Jerome decides to teach bix his game. He can tell that bix has the talent. All he's got to do is learn the right moves....

Reviews (31)

The Moves Make The Man
The Moves Make The Man is about a young African American boy named Jerome who is sent to an all white school . There he meets an athletic a Caucasian boy named Bix. They become good friends, and they teach each other different things life.
I liked this book because it felt like the characters are real. I also liked it because there are some funny parts but there are also some sad parts to. Their friendship helps them through each others hard times. This books theme is basketball but it's mostly about friendship. So I would highly recommend this book..

Just Voice
Just Voice
(This review is written by the voice of the main character.)

"Swish!" "I scored the game winning point against you Bix, you lose!" "I am the man you stink I rock, you little prissy girl!" This is some action that you will read in the book. It is about me Jay Fox, a black kid, and Bix, a white kid. Bix's mom is crazy and his dad could care less about Bix. I was there to help him out. He helped me out too. I learned new things about white people and what they think of us. The Moves Make The Man by Bruce Brooksis a wonderful book. If you are looking for an adventure and excitement, this is the book for you! He does an amazing job describing everything. It is almost like you are in the book. Playing basketball against me or Bix. It has some language that is not suitable for children under nine years of age. It is for children at the age of ten and up. If you are athletic and play a sport with your best friend (like me) this book will be highly suitable for you and your best friend. This book has everything you need adventure, excitement, and it also has really sad parts. It changes your mood from sad to happy in one page! Sometimes it's confusing but makes out to be a really good book and it ties it all up in the end of the book. I now have a good person to play basketball against. Now, I have shown him how to play basketball not "bounceball!" This is a great book. I bet there will be a second book!

The moves make the man
Jerome Foxworthy and Bix River become best friends when Jerome teaches Bix how to play basketball. However, the book is not only about basketball. Knowing how to play basketball is a metaphor on how to face life's challenges. For example, Bix had to deal with his father's death and his mother being in the mental hospital. I enjoyed how the relationship between these two teenagers grew not only because they were practicing how to play basketball correctly, but also more importantly how they tried to apply what they learned on the court to what problems they were facing off the court. For those who enjoy reading about sports and about the mysteries of life, they will truly find this book satisfying.

I will play my game beneath the spin light
This is the greatest book ever written. Danny and Ben friends till death, and after. There are no moves you truly make alone. Strength and honor my friend. This is the official book of the nome.

Metaphor For Life
The Moves Make The Man is a book that I enjoyed. The book had a lot of good details about the main characters. The author helps the reader feel the same things that the characters are feeling. Bruce Brooks made the characters seem unique and he makes them seem different from each other. I liked the way Bruce Brooks made two different people become best friends. I could relate to some of the scenes in the book because I find myself different from my friends. Bruce Brooks makes the reader feel like the main character by having the Jerome Foxworthy (the main character), narrate the book. I found that I could relate to some quotes in the book. " Reverse spin, triple pump, reverse dribble, stutter step with a twist to the left, stutter into jumper, blind pass. These are me. The moves make the man , the moves make me.". I can relate to the quote because I love football and it is not exactly a sport like basketball but the moves in football are moves that make me. Playing football is one of my favorite things to do and football makes me who I am. After reading the book, I found it to be a great book because Bruce Brooks makes you feel like you are Jerome Foxworthy and he writes quotes that are important. Bruce Brooks makes you think about how your life is compared to the characters in the book.

The Moves Make The Man is a book with a lot of information about the characters. Bruce Brooks makes the narrator of the book describe other characters by their physical appearance and the way they act. Bruce Brooks has a unique writing style and he shows it on the book. He would write about a suburban area and add a little mix of urban to it. The author has the narrator talk about his experiences with a friend he met. The book has the narrator sneak into his friend's house and has him tell the story of how they met and what they did together. Jerome, the narrator is portrayed as a kid with a lot of self confidence, but he just prefers to keep it to himself. Some quotes in the book foreshadow events that are about to happen. In one part of the book, there is a happy moment between Jerome, his brothers, and their mother. They were playing games that involved an old elevator but it also foreshadowed that the elevator was going to have an affect on them. Their mother ended up being involved in the accident with an elevator. Bruce Brooks describes how old the elevator is and had me foreshadow the events. Bruce Brooks also has a way of having readers predict what is going to happen next because the scenes are described in a way as if something big is going to happen next. For example, when Jerome tries out for the basketball team, he has to beat two other boys for a spot. The coach doesn't like Jerome so I wondered if the coach was going to switch around the rules and give the two other boys an advantage on Jerome. The author also makes the reader think at the end of the book. Bix, Jerome's friend ran away and he sends Jerome a blank postcard of the Capitol in Washington D.C.. Jerome knows it is a sign of something but he doesn't know what. Bruce Brooks makes me want to read more at the end because he writes sentences that makes me think. The book brings up questions in my mind such as "Where's Bix?" , "When will Bix tell Jerome where he is?" or "Will Bix come back?". The questions are mostly about Bix because Bruce Brooks ends the book without Bix and Jerome together. Bruce Brooks also uses basketball moves as metaphors and he relates the basketball moves such as faking to people's feelings. ... Read more

Book Description

A gripping new novel by the author of such successful sports fiction as Painting the Black and On the Devil's Court. ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Night Hoops by Carl Deuker, is an awesome book!
'Night Hoops' by Carl Deuker is an awesome book! This is the kind of book that you don't want to put down and you find that you are reading late into the night, which I did a couple of times!

I like this book for many reasons, not just because I like sports and books bout sports, but how it related to me and many other people in the world. This book taught me that just because someone may look bad, live in a dirty house or neighborhood, or just be plain old mean, doesn't mean you have to hate him/her, but that you could become friends with him/her. I liked the way that Nick Abbot and Trent Dawson became friends; it was a very different way of becoming friends. At a glance, Nick and Trent may not seem to have much in common, but if you look closer at their lives, it becomes obvious that they are going through pretty much the same thing, family problems. Nick's parents are divorced and Trent's single mom constantly has a different boyfriend and a brother that is constantly in trouble with the law.

To sum it up this book is about two high school sophomores, their passion for basketball and their life problems.

Night Hoops
I think that the book Night Hoops by Carl Deuker is an outstanding book! This Book was very captivating, and kept me up until 2 A.M reading. It kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

This book is great for anyone to read who is 12 and over. . This book is about two ninth grade boys named Nick Abbott and Trent Dawson. They are on the same basketball team. It is about their love for basketball and their problems in life. Both of the boys are going through hard times. For example, Nick's parents are divorced and Trent and his older brother is in trouble very often. Also Trent's mom seems to have a new boyfriend all the time. The fact that Trent and Nick became friends was very odd. Trent and Nick were very different because Trent was a bad kid and nick was good. However their love of basketball brought them together. It was their friendship and the game that got them through tough times together. I think Carl Deuker is trying to teach the value of friendship and teamwork with this book. I thought that this book was excellent, it is Especially interesting to people who like sports books of any kind and I highly recommend it to anyone.

Night hoops
I liked night hoops and thought it was a great book. I really liked the way the characters were developed. I especially liked the way trent was developed. I like the description the author gave on the scenes. The plot was well thought up. It was a good book and I would give it 9 out of 10 stars.

Night Hoops Book Review
Night Hoops Book Review

Night Hoops is a good compelling story about a kid named Nick and his rivals Trent, but then both of them make the Bothell basketball team. When the team starts out the season they didn't have a good start, but once Nick and Trent slowly become friends the season starts coming together.
In the over-all rating I give it a five star rating. I really got interested in the book it kept me up late into the night reading. It really kept me interested and I never wanted to stop but unfortunately I had to.

Night Hoops
The book I am going to review is Night Hoops by Carl Deuker. The genre of this book is Action-Adventure, which makes it cool because it keeps you waiting. The story takes place ina small suburb of Seattle when a kid named Nick Abbott trys out for the Bothell High Varsity Basketball team. Nick's year hasn't been the best, his parent are going through a divorce and then he has to deal with his trouble-making neighbor Trent Dawson. Nick's wish cmes true when he makes the team, but Trent also made it. Will Nick and Trent be able to work as a team or not and become Champions. Read this book to find out. ... Read more

Book Description

Michael Jordan.

The mere mention of the name conjures up visions of basketball played at its absolute best. But as a child, Michael almost gave up on his hoop dreams, all because he feared he'd never grow tall enough to play the game that would one day make him famous. That's when his mother and father stepped in and shared the invaluable lesson of what really goes into the making of a champion -- patience, determination, and hard work.

Deloris Jordan, mother of the basketball phenomenon, teams up with his sister Roslyn to tell this heartwarming and inspirational story that only the members of the Jordan family could tell. It's a tale about faith and hope and how any family working together can help a child make his or her dreams come true. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Excellent teaching tool that entertains as well!
One might imagine that legendary basketball star Michael Jordan was born with a boatload of confidence. That was not the case. "Salt in His Shoes", written by Jordan's mother Deloris and sister Rosalyn, tells an early chapter in the life of the athlete as he struggles to come to terms with his lack of height. Playing when he could with older brothers Larry and Ronnie, Michael is intimidated by a much taller boy named Mark. Every time that he plays against Mark's team, the Jordan boys lose.

Michael goes home complaining to his mother, wishing that he could be a little taller. Mother tells him that all she has to do is pray and put salt in his shoes. Michael's young mind wonders how the salt can cause him to grow, but he figures that his mother's skill with raising luscious flowers must be attributed to something. Every night he goes to sleep while Mother sprinkles her "magic" into his shoes. However, the boy's growth is slow in coming and he feels more depressed.

Michael's father comforts the boy and tells him that it's not how tall he is but how he uses his skills. This little burst of inspiration is just enough. The next time the Jordan boys tackle Mark's team, they are victorious with Michael scoring the winning points.

Being fans of Michael Jordan can relate to this tale from his early days. It is well documented that Jordan had a strong relationship with his father; however, the book reveals the powerful bond that he also had with his mother. The story shows a nuclear family featuring both parents and siblings, all of them concerned about Michael. This will prove to be an invaluable tool in stressing familial relationships.

Hard Work, Determination, and Michael Jordan Magic...
This book has it all. Kadir Nelson's illustrations immediately capture your attention. The cover is representative of the size and quality of pictures throughout the book. I've used this book in my classroom. Kids love it. Both boys and girls enjoy the story of the young Michael Jordan. They relate to going up against the big kid and wanting to change physically (in this case to become taller). Some kids even admit to putting salt in their shoes. The family support in this story provides the direction he needs to accomplish his goal of becoming a great basketball player and becoming the playground hero. Great message, great story, great illustrations. Everyone needs to realize the importance of hard work, determination, and believing in a little Michael Jordan magic. We want to encourage our kids to reach for the stars, and this book helps do that.

Salt in his shoes
There once was a kid that just wanted to play baskerball with his older bothers but there is a taller kid at the basketball park. That all was picked on him and told him he cant play bastekball because he was to short. So Micheal asked his mom how can he grow faster. She told him to put salt in shoes every night before he goes to bed. so he does for two mouths and doesnt grow. so his dad has a talk with him. Then he goes and playes and the game.

Salt In His Shoes ~ Deloris Jordan
I like this book's interesting way on how to teach a child to chase his dreams. Most children think it is impossible to reach for your dreams, but this book shows an interesting way to make a child pursue their dream. When you tell a children to do something they may not want to do it. But when you take a different approach, the request might have an effect on the child. Showing a chilren how to acccomplish his/her dreams is better then talking to them about it.

This story shows a little boy who loves to play basketball, how to make himself a better player. When you explain to a child how to overcome their enemies, and set a goal for them they are more likely to accomplish it. Yosu cannot accomplish your child's dream, but you can show them a good path to take. Kids always need an extra push to understand how something work. To achieve your goals all you need is practice, persistance, and determination.

Wonderful Book
This is a wonderful book. I purchased it for my 8 year old nephew and he absolutely enjoys it. He reads it all the time especially before his basketball games. Its wonderful and inspirings and lets kids know with hard work their dreams can come to fruition. ... Read more

Book Description

Andre Anderson is an African American teenager with a bright future. He loves to play basketball. He loves to hang out with his friends. He loves to laugh. Andre has skills, brains, and heart. He also has a dream. Then he is viciously attacked. Now everything he ever believed about the world has been called into question. Even his deadly jump shot. How can a man get up when he has been unjustly beaten down? Andre is about to find out. Andre is The Hoopster. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

An Awakening!!!!!!
The Hoopster captured my enthusiasm from the first page!!!the imagery used by Mr. Sitomer almost literally placed you on the court with Andre and made you feel his sourroundings...I was able to relate to the characters really well.i felt like shawn, andre, and i were like the three musketeers or something.More importantly, The Hoopster relates a very important message to its readers and shows that one can conquer all obstacles, regardless of fierceness, with a little perseverence.... i look forward to reading more of Mr. Sitomer's work in the future!!!

A Book for this Generation
After I read the first chapter of The Hoopster I had to finish it. The story line is amazing and the clear images of the story will leave you stunned. The morals of the book will trigger your heart and at the same time tickle your funny bone with the all laughter you'll have. Overall I read it, enjoyed it, shared it and it has become a book I am very proud to own.

A Definite "Must Read"!!!!!

The Hoopster is an exciting book that deals with many aspects of teen life in High School and at home.The plot is extraordinary, unique, and it grasps your attention from the moment you pick up the book.Mr. Sitomer does a great job of making the book appeal to the youth of our day.All in all, this book is a "must read."If you haven't read this book, you are truly missing out!!!

Enlightening and Entertaining !!
First, I must say it is rare that I am so captivated by a book that I can hardly set it down. From start to finish I was enthralled and fascinated by the story. It deals with real life issues that I can relate to like Peer Pressure and Racism. I highly recommend this book and from my own experience you won't want to put it down. :)

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wow, this book was far beyond excellent, I am left short of words. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about the evils of racism. I can really relate with the book in that America is still struggling with prejudice and bigotry. Read the book and experience it for yourself. ... Read more

Book Description

In "It’s Just The Beginning" NBA Denver Nuggets star forward Carmelo Anthony opens the door to his inner and outer life journey. From the streets of Baltimore to winning a NCAA championship his freshman year in college, Carmelo has packed an amazing range of experiences into his first two decades of life.

Carmelo’s path has not always been easy. In fact, it’s been a steep climb out of some hard places. Carmelo talks about how he overcame these trials in order to achieve key goals and find personal fulfillment. ... Read more

Reviews (39)

The Million Dollar Shot
The Million Dollar Shot is about a boy named Eddie. He lives with his mom in a poor trailer park, but one day Eddie sends a poem into a contest hoping to win. One day he gets selected to shoot for 1 million dollars in New York City. He did shoot it and he got 1 million dollars! The ending is very good, but I won't tell you what it was... you'll have to find out yourself. This book is quite funny and entertaining. This book would've gotten 5 stars but it wasn't very long, if it was longer it would've been a spectacular book! No matter what, this book has got to be read!!

A Great Book
Are you looking for a wonderous book too read? You should read "The Million Dollar Shot". The book is about a boy who shoots a basket for a Million Dollars. During the story he meets a girl that looks like a boy. The girl and Eddie would meet together at a basketball hoop close to their houses. They would talk and play H-O-R-S-E. When he hears that there was a shot for a million dollars he wrote a poem and sent it in. When he got a letter in the mail he was amased he had won the contest. I think the book was amasing. It had a lot of detail. If you like sports and you like basketball. You'll like this book. If you want to find out if he made the shot or not read this book and find out. It is a mystery.

it was an okay book
Recommendation:
I recommend this book to people that are teenagers. This is a book that is funny ''I looked at Annie. She rolled her eyes. 'You are living proof that white people have no rhythm." When Eddie writes his poem, he didn't know how to rhyme. One thing I did not like is that for a character in the story to get into the contest, he/she must write a poem to win the contest." All you had to do to enter the contest was send in ten finkle box tops and an original poem about finkles." Therefore this book was a good book. that I recommend to anybody but mostly teenagers.

Good Book, Very Interesting!
Eddie Ball has to make this shot in front of a lot of fans.

I would feel very nervous trying to make the shot. Is he going to make it? You'll have to read the book to find out!!!

reader from Wisconsin

A Great Book
This book is about how Eddie Ball wins the poetry contest and one million dollars for sinking a foul shot at the NBA finals. But George Finkle, the owner of Finkle Foods, doesn't want Eddie to win. Finkle Foods makes candy that gives people cancer. I liked this book because it mixes sports, friendship and money. ... Read more

Book Description

Twelve-year-old Danny Walker may be the smallest kid on thebasketball court--but don't tell him that. Because no one plays with more heart or court sense. But none of that matters when he is cut from his local travelteam, the very same team his father led to national prominence as a boy. Danny'sfather, still smarting from his own troubles, knows Danny isn't the only kid whowas cut for the wrong reason, and together, this washed-up former player and abunch of never-say-die kids prove that the heart simply cannot be measured.

Travel Team is an inspirational tale in the tradition of The Bad News Bears andHoosiers. It will leave readers of all ages cheering. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Harlem Beat Harlem Beat 5
This book is great. This is the first one I read in the whole series and it got me hooked on Harlem Beat. If you like basketball street or league you should raed the book. If any of you think this book is for wimps you are wrong there are some punks in this book.

it's ok
i guess its ok. if you like the series, this one is as good as the others, if you don't you might want to look at a friends copy before you decide to buy it. overall the manga's ok, im not particularly fond of it, but it's just an opinion. ... Read more

Book Description

When James is finally allowed to play basketball on the main court with the older boys, he has to prove he can hold his own. It's Skins against Shirts, and James is guarding Marcus, the biggest Shirt of them all. Marcus is all muscle, but James has skill and determination on his side. In the end, there's much more than the game point riding on James's last shot. John Coy's energetic prose captures the intensity and emotion of the competition, while Leslie Jean-Bart's photo collages convey the gritty pace of the game. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Count it!
John Coy's ``Strong to the Hoop'' is exactly that -- a book that drives hard and scores with a story of playground hopes, doubts and triumphs, combined with vibrant photo-based visuals.It's the story of James, an undersized kid who suddenly finds himself called to play ball with theneighborhood big boys. By the time the teams reach game point, James haslearned a lot about the game and himself, and while his triumph may besmall it is also inspiring.``Strong to the Hoop'' is also alive withsounds that get the reader in the game -- a bouncing ball in the opening,the heavy breathing and terse ``woofing'' between players on the court,even the ripping of a shirt.And though it involves boys, it's not onlyfor boys. Girls now have plenty of sports opportunities, and know well thechallenges of the game (not to mention the countless opportunities todiscover new strengths and prove oneself among the big kids).``Strong tothe Hoop'' will appeal to boys and girls who enjoy the the test.

Adisclaimer, sort of: I know John Coy personally but if you have any doubtthat his work is terrific check out ''Night Driving'' -- and the NY Timesreviews of it. It's not just me. ... Read more

Book Description

In "Choose Your Course" NBA All-Star veteran Vince Carter shares his true life stories.From a music-filled childhood to winning an Olympic gold medal, Vince emphasizes the importance of knowing where you are going and working to get there.

Vince’s life highlights balance and diversity.He’s played many sports — soccer, football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and track. He’s also pursued interests beyond sports — leading his high school marching band, graduating from college while playing in the NBA, and starting the Embassy of Hope Foundation. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

great great book
yo vince this is mike boutros from North Arlington New Jersey i am your bigggggggest fan i purchest every shoes you put out every magazine you been on the cover of and i have two of your jerseys yo man the book was fantastick i am also a drum-major in highschool this year i also played the same sports like you did because i want to grow up and be just like you man you are my idole i love what you are doing to the community i purchest your book the day it came out i wish i was at the NBA store when you were there i visit your website all the time anyway e-mail me when got the chance ps. congragulations on you book later vince aka the greatest player in the nba peace ... Read more