Digging Deep

May 31, 2019

Gr 4-7-In this fourth volume of the "Hoops" series, 12-year-old Elle is struggling with the fallout of quitting the basketball team. She's trying out the Buddy Club, which focuses on preventing bullying, and is enjoying more free time now that she doesn't have basketball practice. Her best friends, who are all still on the team, feel betrayed by her decision, especially when Elle accepts a temporary position on the volleyball team subbing for a teammate recovering from an injury. Elle reflects on what she can do to ensure playing on the basketball team is better suited to her mental and emotional needs. The series's plot is heavily inspired by the author's life as a professional women's basketball player and an Olympic gold medalist. Play-by-play scenes of practices and games are gripping and aren't bogged down by sports jargon. The writing keeps the story moving and will draw in newly independent readers and hold the attention of those who are dipping into the YA section. VERDICT Donne entices fans of realistic middle grade fiction by infusing this sports story with timely subjects such as bullying and friendship issues. She also uses her experience as an ambassador for both the Special Olympics and for the Global Lyme Alliance to add depth to the plot and characters. Highly recommended for middle grade sports collections.-Samantha Lumetta, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County

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