Fast Break by Mike Lupica - ESSENTIAL

Lupica, Mike Fast Break, 262 pages.  Philomel, 2015.  $18.  Content: G.

After his mother died and her boyfriend left, 12 year old Jayson tried to keep it together on his own.  When he shoplifted the desperately needed basketball shoes, he was caught and put into foster care.  The Lawton’s are trying as hard as they can to smooth the transition, but a new school, where he has to wear a uniform and a new team where he will be playing against his old friends may be too much for an angry young man to handle.  

Lupica balances the story nicely between Jayson’s personal life and action on the court.  I am so glad he turned his hand to children’s and YA sports novels.  Dive on in with your students!

EL, MS - ESSENTIAL.  Cindy, Library teacher