Slump

September 15, 2014
Derrick "D-Bow" Bowen returns for his sophomore year at Indianapolis' Marion East and this second volume in the D-Bow's High School Hoops series. Having just been edged out by archrivals Hamilton Academy last year at Regionals, this year Derrick and his teammates plan to beat them-and then some. But the season starts badly. Key senior Devin injures his ankle, and the bench just can't compensate. Moreover, even though Derrick's got good looks, he just can't seem to sink that rock. He's got troubles off the court, too: Jasmine is tired of basketball talk, and even though she seems to like making out as much as Derrick does, she's not ready to take things further. And money continues to be tight in the Bowen household, a nagging problem that becomes a crisis when his father is sidelined by a car accident. As in series opener Next (2013), Waltman balances blazing hoops action against Derrick's emotional growth. He and Coach Bolden continue to butt heads, but this year Derrick is better able to trust him; their developing relationship is complex and gratifying. Also nuanced is Derrick's emerging sexuality; he learns quickly that losing his virginity comes with complications. Waltman leaves some threads dangling for future volumes: Best friend Wes is struggling with his own issues, and likable, layabout Uncle Kid's shenanigans prompt unease. With its deft balance of play-by-play action and off-the-court drama, this series scores. (Fiction. 12-18)

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November 1, 2014

Gr 8 Up-In this follow-up to Next (Cinco Puntos, 2013), basketball star D-Bow enters his sophomore year, and the dreaded slump that goes with it. Girl problems and concerns about his dad's health keep him distracted, making it difficult for him to take the leadership position that his status as starting point guard would typically demand. In the end, D-Bow makes good decisions and learns how to be a team player. While the protagonist makes typical teen mistakes, he listens to the adults in his life and learns from his errors. His relationship with his coaches is particularly well drawn. A confusing title for anyone who hasn't read the first installment, fans already engaged in D-Bow's story will find the same strong characters and fast-paced basketball action they enjoyed in the first book. Readers will be left wondering what will await D-Bow in his junior year, as he begins to be recruited by colleges. This series will be a great addition to any collection that needs more YA sports-themed books. Fans of Paul Volponi and Kwame Alexander's Crossover (Houghton Harcourt, 2014) will appreciate this series entry.-Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH

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