Thursday, May 20, 2010

Summer Ball

Summer Ball

By: Mike Lupica

When Danny arrives at Josh Cameron's Right Way Camp, it seems that everything is stacked against him. His opponent from the travel team's national championship game, Rasheed Hill, is a star at the camp, and he's still angry with what he thinks of as Danny's "flop" to get a crucial foul called. Instead of getting assigned to a cabin with his friends, Danny, who's already sensitive about his small size, is placed with younger kids. Right away, Danny makes an enemy of his coach, Ed Powers, who won't even give Danny a chance to prove himself on the court among his bigger, stronger teammates. Lamar Parrish, a flashy, cocky player, taunts Danny at every opportunity, but there are some good things for Danny along the way, too, including new friend Tarik, young camper Zach Fox, and, perhaps best of all, his friend / girlfriend Tess Hewitt, who is spending part of the summer just across Coffee Lake from the camp.The book goes on toward the inevitable championship game, in which Danny and his teammates are matched up against Lamar's squad. Once again, Danny will have to prove himself when it matters most, with the entire camp, his friends, Tess, and his parents all watching.

A sequel to one of my favorite books of all time has Danny at a summer camp for players all over the world. Once again Danny and his friends have to step up and become the top ballers of the camp. Although their friendship never shows on the court, you can tell by the words that Lupica uses that it is there and no matter who wins, they are happy that they get the chance to play the game that they all love. The book is about basketball which is why I love reading it so much.

summary: http://www.kidsreads.com/reviews/0399244875.asp

How to purchase this book: http://www.amazon.com/Summer-Ball-Mike-Lupica/dp/0399244875

Old Yeller



Old Yeller


by: Fred Gipson


With the men gone on a cattle drive, fourteen year old Travis is in charge of looking out for his little brother ,Arliss, and his mother in the dangerous hill country of Texas during the late 1860's. There are many dangers about: bears, wolves, rabid skunks,and the ever-present threat of Indian attacks, but Travis is determined to rise above it all and keep his family safe in his father's absence. One day an old "Yeller" dog shows up and Travis wants to run it off at first, but after the dog first saves his brother's life then his mother's, Travis comes to love the dog. Only to have his heart broken when Old Yeller contracts rabies and is forced to face the sad realities of life.

I like this book because it is all about one of the greatest friendships anyone can ever experience. Even when Travis was mean to the dog and tried to chase him off, Yeller kept on doing whatever he could to make Travis accept him. I personally know how it feels to have a dog that is 100% devoted to making you feel protected and happy. It was so sad to read when Yeller got infected with rabies. I could never imagine having to shoot my dog when i was so young. He knew he had to be brave in the time his dad was gone, and he didn't let his father down.

Summary: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Yeller

About the author: http://www.bookrags.com/wiki/Fred_Gipson







SLAM!

SLAM!

by: Walter Dean Myers

High school student Greg Harris, also known as Slam, struggles with family, culture, and talent. Slam is a great basketball player, and basketball is his top priority; however, he has difficulty being a team player and is searching for his place in school and in his family. He has transferred from Carver, a black and poor school, to Latimer, a white, upper class, high school. As basketball season approaches, Slam thinks his life will improve. However, between failing math and fighting with his coach, Slam cannot seem to keep his game together on or off the court. On the court, he argues with the coach, a superstar attitude, teammate issues, and more. Off the court, he is trying to cope with a dying grandmother, a best friend who is possibly dealing drugs, a love interest, and an alcoholic father. With the help of family, friends, and an assistant coach, Slam begins to get the big picture.

I like this book it talks about a young man that faces problems that some teams face every day of their lives too. It also talks about what he does to solve his problems and gives ideas to other kids on how to solve theirs. The book sends a good central message that life isn't always perfect, but if you work your hardest to make things work, good things will happen.

summary of the book: http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~elbond/slam.htm

about the author: http://www.walterdeanmyers.net/

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Travel Team

Travel Team

by: Mike Lupica

Danny Walker is a 12-year-old basketball prodigy. Although he is very good, he is also very short and because of this minor detail, he was denied a spot on the towns travel team this year.
When his legendary dad, Richie Walker, comes into town, he creates his own travel team for Danny and other kids who didn't make the team to play on. After losing three straight games, his dad gets in a car crash and it is up to Danny and Ty, Danny's best friend who just joined the team, to step-up and be the coaches. After winning enough games, Danny and his team make an amazing playoff run that they will never forget.

I enjoy reading this book because basketball is one of my favorite sports to follow. As a fellow basketball player, I can relate to Danny because I too am shorter than most of the people that i play against. His perseverance, however, will encourage many young readers to push themselves to be better and to never give up. No matter how big the obstacle, Danny over came it, and he will persuade others to overcome them too.

Mike Lupica website: http://www.mikelupicabooks.com/index.html

Brief Summary: http://www.buildingrainbows.com/bookreview/reviewid/27550

Monday, May 17, 2010

The Hatchet


The Hatchet

by: Gary Paulsen

Following a plane crash (in which the pilot had a heart attack and died), 13-year-old Brian Robinson was stranded alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a small hatchet and painful memories of his parents' recent breakup. Facing hunger, wild animals, and harsh weather, Brian gains inspiring survival techniques and at the same time develops and finds himself as a person. Brian wasn't rescued until nearly two months after he had been stranded on the island.

I enjoy reading this book because it is all about adventures and things that happen in nature. It is a good story about a young man that has no choice but to live on his own in the wilderness for nearly two months. Survival and wilderness books have always interested me and this is one of the finest ever written. It is also a good book because he has to dig down deep and grow as a person in order to survive. I believe that children who read this book will really think about themselves as people and where they are headed in the future.

About the author: http://www.randomhouse.com/features/garypaulsen/about.html

Brief Summary: http://www.pinkmonkey.com/booknotes/monkeynotes/pmHatchet04.asp