Box Out
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Sophomore Liam Bergstrom just joined the varsity basketball team. His teammates made varsity because they're good. Liam's here because he's tall and Coach needs a guy who can grab rebounds. It's the chance Liam's been waiting for, but already he's playing catch-up. The other guys know what Coach expects, and they're willing to do things Coach's way, no matter what. So when Liam questions the team's practice of praying together before games, he's suddenly the odd man out. Now Liam has to find the guts to stand up for what he believes in—and take his game to a whole new level.PRAISE FOR BOX OUT: "The author of Crackback (2005) crafts an equally perceptive, triumphant tale—this one centered on a high school hoops player searching for, and finding, his own road. . . . plenty of breathlessly compelling game action, too." —Booklist, starred review "The message that one must choose one's own road is certainly worthy, and the combination of basketball action, Liam's thoughtful responses to off-court issues, and the involvement—and final game—between the boys and girls will appeal to many hoops fans." — School Library Journal "Simple, present-tense prose, lively basketball action and the moral tenor of the novel make this a solid choice for sports fans." — Kirkus ReviewsKLIATTLiam, a high school sophomore, is thrilled when he's asked to join the varsity basketball team to replace an injured player. The tough coach values Liam for his height, so he can grab the rebounds: to box out means to put yourself between a player and the basket to get the rebound. But Liam starts to feel boxed in when Coach's insistence on praying before games in his public school makes him uncomfortable. When talking to the coach doesn't help, Liam ends up having a lawyer's letter sent to make the prayers cease. Liam feels good about doing the right thing, but the consequences are rough, and he ends up quitting the team. Meanwhile his girlfriend, who's away in France for the semester, breaks up with him by e-mail. When Liam is asked to practice with the girls' team with his new friend Darius, the girls' coach helps Liam realize he has his own road to follow, and that he can rebound from the difficulties he's been facing. Lots of on-the-court action adds to the appeal of this coming-of-age tale by the author of Crackback, with its clear message of standing up for yourself and what you believe in. Liam and his friends and family are sympathetic characters, and YAs, particularly sports fans and reluctant readers, will be able to appreciate his dilemmas. Reviewer: Paula Rohrlick
