Rivals by Tommy Greenwald. 320 p. Amulet Books/ Abrams, March 23, 2021. 9781419748271.
Happy Wednesday TMS Readers! I hope that you're settling in nicely to your new method of instruction. For me, each day seems to be presenting fewer challenges. Waiting on Wednesday features a new book coming in 2021 by one of my favorite authors. Back in 2011, Tommy Greenwald made his MG debut with a hilarious book called, Charlie Joe Jackeson's Guide to Not Reading. it was the story of Charlie Joe and how he actually made it to sixth grade without ever finishing a book. But, in sixth grade, his strategies are failing him. This illustrated novel features a charming slacker, short chapters and a fast pace. It was followed by four or so more books in the series.
Rivals releases on March 23, 2021 and here's the publisher synopsis: "From the author of the award-winning Game Changer comes a new novel about two student-athletes searching for stardom, a young reporter searching for the truth, and a crosstown basketball rivalry that goes too far."
While you're waiting for Rivals to release, you can read the Charlie Joe Jackson series and Game Changer, a story told in texts, news articles and bedside conversations about a young football player who is in a coma.
(Game Changers #2) 201 p. Scholastic Press, February, 2013. 9780545381833. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)
"Just like that, it was basketball season." Within two weeks of winning the football championship, Ben finds himself facing a new rival at a pre-season basketball scrimmage. Chase Braggs seems to have all the moves and, what's more, seems to anticipate all of Ben's moves. Ben can respect that and is determined to work on his skills to get better, but Chase is cocky and confident and likes to strut his stuff. Ben lets this get under his skin, especially when Chase sets his sights on Lily, Ben's best friend.
Book #2 in this middle grade series can stand alone but Lupica's many middle grade fans will not want to miss any of it. Ben is a likable sixth grader and a consummate competitor. He's quite self-aware and analytical about most aspects of his life, but most especially the three sports he loves, football, basketball and baseball (#3, Heavy Hitters, due out in February, 2014). The dialogue flows smoothly and the sports action is brisk. Two small quibbles: First, Ben and Lily's friendship/ conversations sound a bit too old, like old married couple old. Second, Ben's a bit small for his age and the player on the cover and in the interior shots does not appear to be a small eleven-year-old. He's a bit too big, a bit too bulky for eleven.
