Great read for sports fiction fans and those that like Lepich and Tim Green. ( )

Jam-packed, exciting story focused on a wheelchair basketball team that is fighting to become a strong team and save their community gym. Tons of issues in here -- from the various personal stories of the kids on the teams (losing parents, dealing with chronic illness, foster system) to the backstory of the notorious school bully (DV) to the loving family that Carlos, the main character, has created with his aunt and uncle following the death of his parents in the same accident that paralyzed him. Diverse kids, diverse stories, a little old fashioned sleuthing, some spectacular teamwork, and fascinating game play-by-plays. A lot of heart in this book, and what I loved is that while those back stories give the characters appeal and life, the book is ultimately about sports kids playing sports, and the author never forgets that or trivializes it.

Advanced reader's copy provided by Edelweiss. ( )

Carlos used to be a star basketball player, but that was before the accident that killed his parents and put him in a wheelchair. When his aunt takes him to a wheelchair basketball league, he's at first reluctant to get involved and discouraged by his inability to immediately "bounce back" to his original skill. But with the tough love of his coach and the encouragement of his new teammates, his life starts to change.

Carlos is soon involved not only in the excitement of basketball tournaments and the challenges of the sport in a whole new way, he's also trying to deal with a new school, a bully who seems to have vulnerabilities of his own, and a plot to tear down the gym where the "Rollin' Rats" practice.

I will freely admit that I did not read all the (many) play-by-play basketball descriptions. They are just not my thing. I will take other reviewers word for it that they are accurate and kids will love them. The book is full of action and while the "bully" starts out a bit stereotyped, the plot shifts as he and Carlos get to know each other. Stomper doesn't turn into a saint and the author doesn't make his own difficulties an excuse for his behavior, but he's as nuanced a character as the others who are dealing with tough issues. I loved the depiction of a working-class Hispanic family and how their community helps them as they deal with their grief. They are kind and loving to Carlos, but don't enable him and the contrast between their basketball coach, who challenges them while having their best interests at heart, and the regular school coach who treats them all as delicate, is marked.

Verdict: A great sports book that also includes a realistic depiction of disability with a side of exciting mystery/action. Highly recommended.

ISBN: 9780316524742; Published 2019 by Little Brown; Borrowed from another library in my consortium