The word moot is an archaic term meaning "argue, debate, discuss." In early English history, a moot was a meeting to discuss local affairs. Moot comes from the Old English gemot, meaning "meeting."
Monday, April 24, 2006
Travel Team
Travel Team by Mike Lupica, 2004
I am becoming a solid Mike Lupica fan. I have never seen him on ESPN and I do not read sports writers usually but I may start in this case. I think Travel Team and Heat are two of the best books I have read this year.
Danny Walker loves basketball. Danny understands the game to the very core. He understands that a key to the game is getting the ball to the shooters. Danny is a great passer. Danny is also the shortest player on court.
For the first time in his life, Danny has not made "the" team. The coach of the travel team is looking to repeat the town's run to the national championship and is selecting players by size not ability.
Danny is devastated and thinking of giving up on basketball when his mostly absent father, Richie Walker, turns up. His dad was a professional NBA ball player and the player who led the town's travel team to televised glory in the national championship years before. Richie's career is over due to an injury but he sees a way to have a second chance with his son and at life when he starts a team made up of the other 'also ran' kids.
Lupica creates realistic, full-rounded characters. His descriptions of the action makes you feel as if you are running down the court looking for the pass along with the characters. This book will strike a chord with kids and grownups as it reminds us that playing is supposed to be fun. Hard work, smart players and heart are what make a team.
Lupica's books would be great to promote to Matt Christopher and Dan Gutman readers. The poignant stories resonate with heart and give readers a front row seat to terrific sports action.
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4 comments:
This was one of those books that I read specifically because it would be a 'boy book.' Not, I must note, that I've any interest whatsoever in sports books. I was impressed. Having many sports obsessed friends, I have been trapped in situations where the only available reading material is "Sports Illustrated." There is actually some VERY well written articles in that mag. I was totally shocked. ;)
Hey Camille,
Thanks for a great review! MotherReader and I both linked to it, because we're also reviewing sports books this week. Happy Reading!
Lupica is one of those authors on my "must read" list now. He is terrific! Thanks for the link.
i dont like reading, its a good book.... but reading.......not what i like
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