Check by Cynthia Kadohata Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Conor MacRae's whole life revolves around hockey. Both he and his dad make sacrifices so that Conor can play on an elite hockey team. Even though almost every waking minute involves hockey, loves everything about it. When his dog, Sinbad gets sick with cancer, Conor has to choose between payments to the vet for chemotherapy sessions or hockey lessons.

Once Conor steps back from everyday lessons, he has time to notice things he hasn't noticed before like his dad's crying and somber moods and even the lack time with his mother's Japanese family. Maybe, just maybe he the hockey rink isn't the only place Conor belongs.

The elite athlete will relate to the time spent perfecting the sport but the heart of the story lies with the relationship outside of the rink.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Power Forward (Zayd Salem, Chasing the Dream) by Hena Khan: Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Zayd knows he must practice hard and often to make the gold basketball team, especially since he's smaller than the other guys on the team. Unfortunately, skipping orchestra practice to sharpen his skills does nothing to advance his goals.

When his mother finds out Zayd has traded his violin for basketball, she grounds him for the two weeks leading to try outs. Not only is he not allowed to play basketball, he's not even allowed to talk about it. Even worse, his punishment doesn't end until after try outs, meaning he will have to miss them. Zayd's Pakistani-American family lends support in distinct generational ways but will their firm but loving stance be enough to get him through? In the end, honesty and understanding on both sides endears the reader to Zayd and his family. 

A solid start for the series, Power Forward will have the young reader wondering what happens next.

★★★★☆

Publishing Information:

Publisher: Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (May 8, 2018)

ISBN: 978-1-5344-1198-2

Ages 6-11

This book can be purchased on Amazon

Point Guard (Home Team #3) by Mike Lupica Book Review

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Book received at no charge to facilitate review.

Gus can't wait for the basketball season to get underway. Being from the Dominican Republic, those around him expect him to be a baseball guy but his skills on the basketball court back up his confidence. With his friends Jack and Teddy trying out for the team, Gus looks forward to an awesome season.

Tryouts don't go as planned when his friend Cassie shows up to try out for the boys team. Cassie excels in many sports the 8th grade boys basketball team proves no exception. As Gus grapples with mixed feelings of having to answer to a girl and trying to maintain his friendship with Cassie, he is forced to question his place on the team.

Those who love sports will have no problem relating to the dynamics between the players. Even though the story touches on some side social themes, it does lack depth at times. Otherwise, a solid story.

Rating ★★★★☆

Publishing Information

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Books for Young Readers (April 4, 2017)
ISBN: 9781481410038
Ages: 8-12



This book can be purchased on AMAZON.