Book Title: Summer Ball
Author Name: Mike Lupica
Reviewed by: Liam Duffy
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Number of pages: 241 pages
What's the basic storyline?
Danny Walker is the son of a former NBA basketball player. He loves playing basketball, but he has a height disadvantage. He goes away to Right Way basketball camp during the summer where he is the smallest kid testing his skills against some of the best young basketball players in the country. Among other things, he has to deal with a control freak coach, an argument with his friend Tess, and the question of whether or not he will have to give up basketball for good.
Were the characters believable? What made them believable or unbelievable?
I thought the characters in this book were believable, mostly because of the way that they spoke, which was natural, the way that kids really speak to one another.
Would you recommend this book to kids? Why or why not?
I would recommend this book to other kids because it is a very engrossing story. Also, it seems like the problems the main character faced could actually happen.
What's not-so-great about the book?
The worst thing about the book is that it uses basketball terminology, such as "dribble drive" and "double or triple," which I think would be difficult for a non-sports lover to understand.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), how would you rate this book? Explain.
I would give this book a 9 out of 10 because it had an interesting plot with characters that most kids could relate to, whether they are sports lovers or not.
