Fourteen-year-old John creates alternative realities in his mind as he tries to deal with his mother’s abusive boyfriend, his crush on a beautiful, but shallow classmate and other problems at school.

Liz says:

“Right from the start, John catches the reader off guard as he directs his thoughts toward his mother. It’s almost as if this is told from a 4th person narration. This is a gripping story of mental and physical abuse and there are some harrowing scenes. It’s an amazing story with an amazing ending.”

When he joins a predominantly African American “Teen Dream Team” that will be representing the United States in an international basketball tournament in Rome, Jimmy Doyle makes some unexpected discoveries about prejudice, racism, and politics.

Liz says:

“Boys absolutely love this book and so do I. There are lots of great basketball scenes and many poignant moments. Jimmy and the other characters are believable and the story moves quickly. I would not recommend this before 6th grade.”

When he joins a predominantly African American “Teen Dream Team” that will be representing the United States in an international basketball tournament in Rome, Jimmy Doyle makes some unexpected discoveries about prejudice, racism, and politics.

Liz says:

“Boys absolutely love this book and so do I. There are lots of great basketball scenes and many poignant moments. Jimmy and the other characters are believable and the story moves quickly.”