Detroit

December 1, 2015
Grades 7-10 Isaiah knows he is a great basketball player, and playing varsity as a freshman at Detroit Catholic is a big deal. He was born to play, and his father, who once played in the NBA, has relentlessly coached him since he was a child. But Isaiah comes from the comfortable suburb of Auburn Hills, not the inner city, like his teammates. The death of a teammate and experience of being teased for not being tough or black enough serve as catalysts for Isaiah to reflect on who he is and what he wants. Meanwhile, his parents are growing apart, and his struggle to understand why threatens to affect his position on the team. Part of the high/low Hoop City series, this book uses its urban America setting to look at dreams and goals, relationships and compromise, and the down-and-dirty realities of high-stakes high-school ball in the face of privilege. Balancing game action with introspection, this is perfect for reluctant readers who love sports, though strong language may deter more sensitive readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)