Play Makers

Game Changers #2

by Mike Lupica

Mike Lupica presents the second book in his NEW YORK TIMES bestselling Game Changers series!

Still living large off their incredible football championship win just weeks before, Ben McBain and his crew must now prepare for basketball season. Ben is known as the best point guard throughout the league. And now that Shawn O'Brien has joined their team, they are a shoo-in to win it all. But there is a new kid in town, Chase Braggs, a point guard like Ben who seems to be better, stronger, and faster. Refusing to let his team down, Ben hits the courts hard to practice. Ben's rivalry with Chase seems to take the fun out of playing ball with his best friends. Will Ben be able to pull it together for his team and for himself?

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Basketball, Fiction, Young Adult, Friendship, Childrens

224 pages, Hardcover

First published February 5, 2013

About the author

Michael Lupica is an author and American newspaper columnist, best known for his provocative commentary on sports in the New York Daily News and his appearances on ESPN.

Reviews

[Spencer Brazil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben McBain, Shawn O'Brien, Sam Brown, and Cooper Manley have just won their sixth grade football championship. Now, it is time for the start of basketball. Ben loves to compete at everything he does, and now he has the drive for another championship. However, he hears word from others that there is a new, amazing basketball player (Chase Braggs) coming to town. Chase is a point guard (same as Ben) and it doesn't take long for him to prove to everyone that he's the new top kid in town. On top of that, Chase loves to brag about himself. When Chase and the arch-rival Darby Bears beat Ben and the Rockwell Rams, Chase becomes the new "talk of the town." Chase pushes Ben even harder when he goes after Ben's girlfriend, Lily Collins. Lilly starts hanging out more and more with Chase and less and less with Ben. Chase has shaken Ben's two biggest interests (sports and Lily). Now, Ben finds himself in a difficult situation as he has to figure everything out and fast because his team's chances of winning the championship are dwindling.
The message/meaning in the book is to keep your perspective. You have to work hard, maintain a clean outlook, and not worry about other outside factors in life. There are always going to be new challenges each and every day in what you do. It is important that you keep yourself together and that you don't lash out (maintain your priorities).
I would recommend this book to other teenagers and sports-lovers alike.

[Jonas Harper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jonas Harper
English Mr.Carroll
January 8,2014

Game Changers Book 2 by Mike Lupica

Main Characters:
-Ben McLain the best point guard throughout the league

-Chase Braggs a new kid in town that whose faster, stronger, and a better point guard

-Shawn O'Braggs an athletic basketball player

-Lily is Ben's crush

Summary of the Plot:
-Ben McLain and his friends are just coming off win the championship in football a few months ago.
- A new kid in school named Chase Briggs who is better than Ben at point guard, who is very cocky.
-Lily starts to hangs out with Chase's friends and thinks that Chase is greatest.
-Knowing that Chase is a better point guard than Ben, he gets worse and isn't having any fun anymore playing basketball.
-Ben and Chase become huge rivials and fight for a spot on the court.
-Ben has to try and get better before the season ends so they can try to win another championship.

Did I like the Book?
-Book Two of the Game Changers by Mike Lupica was an outstanding book in my mind.
-It taught me to never give up, even when times get tough work harder.
-Also I liked how the author described Ben's nemesis Chase Braggs as realistic as possible.
- In addition, I love reading these books because I can relate to many of the things the main character is facing.
-I recommend this book to sports lovers, who enjoy reading about sports and challenging moments(ages 8-15).

[Shane_E2 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading playmakers by Mike Lupica. The main character Ben was the best basketball player around until chase came. Ben plays chases team during the preseason and loses. He does not feel good about that.

[Deacon Tom (Feeling Better) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just Okay

Nothing special. Very predictable and very immature towards teen love.

The basketball game portion was a quick and easy read.

[Alek Severkovski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Playmakers (Game Changers) by Mike Lupica was a great book. Ben McBain the star at Rockwell Middle School, there football season just ending with a championship now it is time for basketball Ben led Rockwell to a championship last year but the heat is on with a new kid named Chase who is a cocky kid who just moved and of course plays at Rockwells rivals the Darby Bears. His best friend and pretty much one of the best players on the team Sam goes down half way through the season with a leg injury. Can Ben McBain hold of Chase and the Draby Bears or will Chase and the Bears get the best of Ben? Find out in Play Makers (Game Changers).

I rated this book a 5/5 because it had me sitting on the edge of my seat it went through twist and turns. But this book was a great sports novel and for me a huge basketball fan and player it was a great book to read.

If I had to recommend this book to anybody it would probably be any fans of Hot Hand, Travel Team, or Summer Ball because they are all basketball books but are all also great books and you will enjoy reading them. I Guarantee It.

[Romir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like this book because it had a great plot. I love this author because if you are looking for a good basketball book , well then this is the book. The main characters Ben McLain , the best point guard throughout the league. Chase Braggs is a popular that moves in to the area and is a better point guard. Shawn, an athletic Basketball player. Lily is a girl who is Ben's crush. Ben gets jealous after looking at chase hanging out with her. Chase and Ben battle it out and someone...... Got the better of the other.......
The genre of the book is realistic fiction and I recommned this book to a 11-15 age group age of boys.



NO ACCESS to book.

[Blake Bartel]

Name: Blake Bartel (second goodreads)

Book title: Playmakers

Personal Response: I thought Game Changers was a great book. The book was very interesting because of all the action in the basketball games. This book grabbed my attention when I was reading it by showing a lot of detail and the basketball games being intense. This book turned out to be great.

Plot Summary: Game Changers is a story of a basketball team that goes through some hard times, one in which they lost one of there best players. They are fighting to beat their rivals and just can't make it happen, but they find something they haven't found all season, can they beat them? In the beginning of the book, they think that they have the best team in the league and are going to take the championship, but when they play their rivals for the first time, they see something different on the other side. Their rivals, the Bears had acquired another person on their team. His name was Chase Braggs. Ben was known to be the best point guard throughout the league, was there going to be a change to this. The first game the Bears and the Rams, the team that Ben McBain played on, played each other, the bears took the victory. Sam which also played for the Rams was hurt during the season and won’t be able to finish the season. The Rams went on to be 3-2 before they played the Bears again. The next time they play the game, the Rams were making this game count but once again, Chase Braggs made the game-winning shot and they won making them the best team in their conference. Both of the teams where just as good as each other, but only one could take the championship. The next time the met, both teams had the same record and this was the last game of the season. Whoever wins this game are the Champions of the conference. The Rams pulled ahead and lead by 12 going into half time. After halftime, the lead remained the same for the Rams but when five minutes were left, the Bears made a run and they were all tied up with two minutes to go. The game kept going back and forth with the rams leading and then the bears leading, these teams were so equal that the games were so competitive. With one minute left to go until the game-ending buzzer would sound, the Rams and the Bears were tied. Before they knew it, the Rams needed to make a game-winning shot in less than thirty seconds. One of Ben's teammates passed the ball to him with 5 seconds to go and he had to make a move on Chase Braggs, so he did. He did a half turn around Chase to make a small opportunity to put the ball up and he did. Ben had just made the game-winning shot.

Recommendation: I recommend this book to anyone who likes sports and very competitive activities. This book is very interesting and has a lot of action. I give this book a five-star rating.

[Laura Buller · Rating 4 out of 5]

They were The Jonas Brothers of basketball, the New England Patriots in sneakers. They were invincible, or were they? The middle school team headed by Ben McBain and ‘his crew’ of sixth graders have just finished an incredible football season with a crushing championship final and must now prepare for the basketball season. Ben, who has been known as the best point guard, is joined by a newbie, Shawn O’Brien. Shawn was an outstanding football player and Ben knows he will be a great asset to the team. This duo, joined by last year’s team which includes Ben’s best friend, Sam, feel they are well on the way to another championship in yet another sport. As they move into the basketball season, their first scrimmage is against a rival team who have been rumored to have a new arrow in their quiver. Supposedly, he is faster, stronger, much better, meaner, and even more cocky as a point guard than anyone in the league. His name is Chase Braggs. Yep, you heard it right, Chase Braggs – and the name fits perfectly. The scrimmage is a disaster for Ben and his crew and the season only progresses into everything worse! Ben hits the courts in excessive practice in order to better himself and his team, only to have his best friend, Sam, sprain his ankle in a fall while practicing after dark on an unlit court. Of course, Ben feels extremely bad, the coach must make adjustments on the team to replace Sam, MJ finally gets a chance to play basketball and prove himself, and the team continues to lose games. Along the way, Ben’s friend who is a girl, Lily, finds herself entangled in controversy with Ben and Chase, putting Ben in a deeper depression. Will Ben be able to pull himself out of this downward spiral by the end of basketball season?

The author does a great job of captivating your interest and keeping you focused in this 'basketball soap' for middle schoolers. The fact that the star gains maturity throughout the course of the sports seasons is a big plus. Overall, I felt the content was written well out of range of any sixth grader as far as relevancy, but maybe I'm behind times. I certainly do not think most sixth graders would be at this level of thinking in regard to a sport. I would recommend it for middle school students and older.

[Jfornaro10]

I liked the character growth in the book. Ben Mcbain is the main character. He is just coming out of football season where they won the championship and is excited about basketball season. Although he is not the biggest kid, he has always been very athletic and known as the best on the team. That is until a new kid moves the the small town next to them that competes in the same basketball league. Ben becomes obsessed with being better than Chase Briggs. His obsession with practicing makes him start to lose his enjoyment with actually playing the game with his friends. His need to be the best also causes his best friend to be out for the season with a high ankle sprain because they were practicing together. Ben soon realizes the advice of his coach and understands what is most important, being part of the team. The growth of all of the team, not just himself. Ben becomes a leader on the team and puts their needs first. He plays the last game of the season as if it was the championship that they didn't qualify for. They play it for themselves. The play by play action depicted in the book was good. It was exciting to read the back and forth score as if you were watching the game.

What I didn't like about the book was the lack of actual game time. I thought it would be more sport related when in actuality only a very small part was actual playing of the game. They didn't talk about how the basketball league was set up. It seemed as if it wasn't a school league but he is in middle school. Our middle school program doesn't have a championship so it made it seem unreal. And during the last game of their season, Ben gets banged up pretty good on a foul and Chase doesn't get thrown out of the game. Also, Ben lies to the coach about how bad his injury is and it is very unrealistic he went back in and was able to play not being able to lift his arm at all.

I would recommend this book to someone who wants to read a book about the relationship dynamics between middle school kids, not someone who wants to read a book about sports. The book is more about personal growth and putting others needs in front of your own.

[Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Personal Response.
I enjoyed the book, Game Changers Play Makers, by Mike Lupica, because I could relate to it in many ways. I learned many life lessons in the book. I think the author did a fantastic job of explaining and being detailed in all of his text.


Plot.
In the beginning of the story, Ben Mcbain was the star quarterback of the fifth grade football team that won the state championship. Now that the football season was over, basketball started. Ben obviously making the team. He learned about there being a new star athlete from an opponent school, Darby. The boy's name was Chase Braggs. All Ben wanted to do was to take Chase down. The first game of the season was against Darby. They lost, but in that moment, Ben knew there was hope. About halfway through the season, Sam, one of the team's post players, twists his ankle and sprains it. This is a huge shock to Ben and the rest of the team. With Sam hurt, they have to find a new player for the team to fill his spot. MJ Lau is the new player on the team. MJ is good but not anywhere close to how good Sam was. In the end, they get to play Darby again and finally get to crush their rival.

Characterization.
Ben McBain is the main character in the book. He matures greatly through the story. In the beginning he is this stuck up nobody can beat him type of person. At the end of the story, he realizes that he was not being himself at all. Lily is also a main character in the book. She is steady, always there in time of need, and knows what is going on at all times. Sam is very unfortunate in the book because with getting injured he has to watch all of his teammates play and have fun while he sits the bench. At the end of the story, he plays the final game with all of his friends.

Setting.
There are many settings in this book. No one setting sticks out, but basketball courts come up often. Some other places are Mcbain Park and the swing set that is also there. The book takes place in present time.

Recommendations.
I would recommend this book to any person boys or girls who like sports, specifically basketball. If they like rivalry, they would enjoy this book too.

[Luke Ivers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was great! Here's some details on the plot. Ben feels like football just barely ended but is still excited for basketball. He hears from Lily, his best friend, that there's a new kid in Darby, their rivals in just about everything. When Ben finally meats him, it's at the preseason game against Darby. There he finds out that Chase is a jerk and when he plays him in the next three regular season games Chase makes it more and more clear. When Ben tries to practice with his best friend Sam for the first game, Sam, their best all around player brakes his ankle and is out for the season. Or is he? All I can say is that you'll love this book.

Ben has always been the best point guard in there league until this kid, Chase Braggs, comes and steels his spot. Ben, being a competitor, is not very happy about this. At first he thinks that he just has to improve himself and the team will get better because of it. But he finds out he needs to be more of a team player than ever with Sam out with a broken ankle. I think he grows a ton from this crazy experience with Chase Braggs. He will have to prove himself once again that just because he's short, doesn't mean anything.

I thought this book was phenomenal! It was a great transition from the last book into this one and I can't wait to read the last book of the series where it's baseball season. There isn't much I can say negative, besides that every game they played came down to one basket. I think that he could have maybe given some of them a little more spacing instead of every single game coming down to one shot. Besides that, there isn't anything wrong with this book. I love the characters and each of their different personalities. I loved this book and I can't wait to read the next one.

[Payton Hicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ben McBain and his friends Shawn O'Brien, Sam Brown, and cooper Manley have just finished a incredible football season. Now, it time for basketball. Ben is known to be the best point guard in their division. However, he learns that there is a new kid named Chase Braggs .Chase Is a point guard like Ben and he is fast, strong, and determined to win. Chase and Ben are very alike, but Chase likes to show off and brag about himself. When Chase and rival the Darby Bears beat Ben and the Rockwell Rams tension grows between the two.Chase becomes the talk of town. Even more tension, and beef starts to stir when Chase goes after Ben's girlfriend, Lily Wyatt. Chase has gone to far now and Ben hits the courts hard for practice. Ben has found himself in a difficult situation, but he will have to figure everything out if he wants to lead his team to another championship. The big question is can Ben become a better play maker on the court without losing his love of the game ?

I recommend this book to a 10-15 age group of boys. The title is very appropriate for the books content. The characters and the plot were well written to develop a amusing book. The ending of the book was gratifying.

[Anthony Tribbe · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading the book, "Game Changers" by Mike Lupica I think this book reflects me as a basketball player and being on the basketball team for Farnell because in the book Ben tries out for a basketball team with his friends Sam, Chase, and Lily. This book kept me on my feet and waiting to see what Ben will do next also how Ben created goals for himself and motivated himself when there was a basketball near him. Another reason I liked the book "Game Changers" by Mike Lupica, is because this helped me learn new strategies I could use as a center and can help me get a lot of points in a game. I would really recommend this book to a student who really loves basketball and plays as a player or coach of any team. This book is also recommended to students who are learning basketball and Ben can make any game change. Finally, another reason I liked the book "Game Changers" is because I felt like I was in the gym with Ben and how he got better as a student athlete. For example, Ben threw a pass to the center and passed out to him again to waste time to get to the next quarter in the game. Overall this book can help coaches with there play making and have a all star team.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playmakers by Mike Lupica is about a 12 year old boy named Ben McBain who plays basketball on his middle school team. After winning the county championship Ben and friends are looking to win the county championship for basketball. But when Ben finds out that there is a new kid in town, and his name is Chase Braggs. Throughout the rest of the season these compete and see who is the better basketball player.

I personally enjoyed this book because it is very realistic. The details in the book are very relatable and interesting. The way the character tells his story is very understandable. I feel like I can make so many connections from this book to my life. If I could change something from this book I would change the ending. I would change the ending because it was short and the narrator made it sound like there was going to be a part two to this book. But, overall it was a good book.

I would recommend this book to any other reader interested in sport experiences. I would also recommend this book to anyone who enjoys books by Mike Lupica and for middle school readers. This story is great for motivation.

[Muluken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Student Name: Muluken Rucks Date Submitted:
Book Title: Game Changers: Play Makers Lexile: 870


Personal Response:
I liked this book because it had my attention right off the start. Many books bore you at the beginning, but this one was very entertaining throughout the whole book. I also love how the author ties this basketball book to the first book about football.

Plot Summary:
In this book, Ben McBain struggles in basketball. After a successful football championship last year, Ben and the basketball boys are trying to get back into the groove of things. It seems as though everyone else is doing great except for Ben himself. He is extremely frustrated; and the athleticism of his opponents, especially Chase Braggs, doesn’t help. Ben had to figure out a way to get out of his own head so that he and his teammates succeed.


Recommendations:
I recommend this book to anyone that likes basketball or football. This continuing series is really entertaining and the author does a great job of keeping the reader interested. If you don’t like sports this is not the book for you.

[Mark Craig]

Play Makers by Mike Lupica is the second book from the Game Changers series. I loved the book because it has lots of sports action and drama. The two main characters are Ben McBain, the best point guard in Rockwell, and Chase Braggs, the best point guard in Darby. Chase's last name basically describes his whole character. He is cocky, arrogant, and doesn't really know when to stop talking. Ben on the other hand is the complete opposite. He is selfless, humble, and kind to everybody. The main conflict is when one of Ben's best friends', Sam Brown, hurts his ankle. This might not have been that big of a deal, but Sam was one of the best players on the Rockwell Rams and in the whole league which made conquering Darby harder than before. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes sports or realistic fictions, because it is full of basketball and all-around sports facts and drama.

[Kyle A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Play makers is a good book. The book had a lesson winning is not everything. Ben the main character realizes that he always isnt the best player in every sport, he faces a new challenger named chase ẃho is cocky on and off the court,which makes Ben realize to work harder and help his teammates improve. What i didnt like about the book is that it left me hanging in the end. Ben shows chase he has heart and wins 51-50 and going to the playoffs, and the book ends from there.Mike Lupica is a good author and im interested in reading Game changers heavy hitters to find out what had happened in the end of their basketball season. I recommend people to read this book because its thrilling and guarantee people who read this book will enjoy it and wont regret reading it.

[Rainier Birco · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was an inspiring book to read because the way Ben McBain's team the Rams started off the season weak and finished the season strong. Even though Ben's rival Chase Braggs which he never heard of him, still wanted to be better than him even though he hasn't seen him play, when they lost their first game against Chase's team the Bears it became a rival between them, but at the end Ben still found a way to beat Chase which was my favorite part of this book.Overall I liked it and I'm hoping there will be more books like this.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Lupica book. This was the first time I had read one that was part of a series with the same characters. He does a good job building on previous events and challenges. I love how the books aren't just about sports, and that they don't always end in miraculous championship wins. But the characters always grow and mature, learning from bad choices and taking advice from the authority figures, with whom they have fun, respectful relationships. Highly recommend!

[Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book.It was cool because I was able to relate to it since I play basketball.Theres always this one guy that gets on your nerves.In this story that guy is Chase Braggs.It gets on Ben McBains nerve.I would recommend this book to everyone.If you want to find out how McBain handles Braggs, you have to read this book?

[Mayze M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the book! I love sports and this is a good book for people who love them. This book tells you to mostly work on yourself and don't be jealous about other people like he was with chase braggs. Even though they didn't make the playoffs its a good book to learn about yourself and how you should only care about you. love this book!

[Gabe Latog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Play Makers by Mike Lupica was an interesting book to read. Although I haven't read any books by Mike Lupica, I would like to read more. Everything towards then end was okay. The end of the book was great because of the flagrant foul the happened. Overall this book was not bad.

[Hope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was awesome! I love how the guys on the team stuck together, even when their best player was injured. It really encouraged me to stick with my volleyball team, even when we barely have enough players for a team.

[Javier]

This book is interesting but they just needed to talk more about basketball

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

Its a really good book b/c its about basketball. LOL And the ending was so good it was like paul walkers in furious 7 jk XD. But still its a great book and you should read !!!!

[Hunter Jones · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book

[Josiah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Game Changers is a first for Mike Lupica: a planned trilogy featuring the same set of characters and their ongoing story. Comeback Kids was a series of sorts, but only because the books were grouped together as being intended for a slightly younger audience than Mike Lupica generally writes to; they shared no continuity of characters or plot. Now we're on book two of the Game Changers trilogy, Play Makers, and we see more of the direction the author plans for the remainder of the series. Ben McBain, Sam, Coop, Lily—our "Core Four" group of friends—are the Core Five now that Shawn O'Brien and Ben have sorted out their differences, uniting as a team to win their junior league football championship at the end of the first book. One couldn't ask for a more simpatico team of eleven-year-old athletes, each with an extraordinary skills set that adds up to one formidable team. Their mix of talent and grit was just enough to capture the football championship, but here comes basketball season right on its heels, the first hoops contest scheduled just weeks after they became king of the gridiron mountain. The pressure is on for the Core Five (with Lily in a spectator's role as encourager, friend, and realist) to convert their championship form to a second sport, but with a new rival in town to test Ben's athletic acumen, it's going to be far from easy.

Chase Braggs of the Darby Bears is a lithe, redheaded, quick-handed point guard with a minor size advantage on Ben that he exploits adeptly. Chase dominates the perimeter, leading his team on scorching, penetrating drives up and down the court, taking advantage of tiny cracks in defenses to push the ball into the paint for uncontested layups. His court vision and soft touch on passes are at least equal to Ben's, and the wakeup call is loud the first time his team meets Ben's Rockwell Rams. Chase and the Bears blow Ben's posse off the court in their first practice scrimmage of the year, a rout that has Ben worried about his team's ability to respond to the challenge of replicating their football championship in basketball. Chase comports himself between the painted lines differently than Ben: he's brash to the point of provoking opposing players, but not obvious enough about it to warrant scolding from the adults. He puts Ben on notice in their first scrimmage that he intends this season to be a referendum on which of them is top dog in the league, and Ben will have to up his game if he's to compete. Chase's attitude fires Ben up to practice and improve at a faster rate, though if he lets Chase get too far into his head he knows he'll never get the kid out.

A rocky early season marred by serious injury introduces concern that the Rams may not need to think about standing up to Chase's team in a potential championship contest: they might not make it there, themselves. Other teams have upped their level and are legitimate threats to qualify for the title match ahead of the Rams, and Ben and his gang will have to play nearly flawlessly to catch up and earn the right to square off against Darby in the year's ultimate game. But worse than losing to Chase on the court, Ben feels his special friendship with Lily is at risk. It was Lily who gave him the heads-up on Chase moving into the district before the season, cautioning Ben that the new kid was rumored to be an awesome scorer and passer, a worthy rival to Ben as preeminent playmaker in his basketball league. Not only has Chase encroached on his athletic territory, he's made it clear he's courting Lily to be his special friend instead of Ben's, throwing every ounce of humor and charm he possesses behind the effort to curry favor with her. Now the season means more than reliving the fleeting glory of the Rams' football miracle: it's about Ben holding onto a relationship that's more important to him than any statistic accomplishment or team victory. Championship or no, Ben has to reflect on why he plays sports and what's really worth competing for, trying to win without losing his footing as a kid of strong character who plays hard but is willing to graciously accept defeat if his opponent happens to be better on any given day. Ben has his Core friends—but mostly Lily—to help him figure that out, and the truths they learn will carry them for the rest of the basketball season and beyond. After all, baseball season isn't far away.

Mike Lupica does a good job putting youth sports into perspective, not taking them overly seriously but at the same time highlighting the ways they're better than professional sports, offering value that pros don't get out of their own athletic endeavors. From page one of Play Makers: "When you were eleven like (Ben) was, that was the beauty of sports, you didn't have to wait until next year, not if you played football and basketball and baseball the way he did in Rockwell." Professional sports are so extremely specialized that it's practically impossible to compete in more than one at the highest level; the commitment of time and body alone is prohibitive. A finely tuned athlete needs the offseason to kick back and take it easy, or stress injuries are a certainty. In juvenile sports, however, that over-the-top commitment isn't necessary to maintain excellence, so a kid like Ben who loves every sport can get in on all of them and still be dominant. It's part of why kids' athletics are a beautiful thing. Mike Lupica recognizes the unscripted energy of sports and infuses his books with it, the wild thrill of knowing the outcome is undetermined until the final buzzer, the result of the game entirely in the players' hands. "You got the chance to write the ending you wanted, every single time." That's true at any level of sports, and it's what makes them worth watching or playing whether you're a member of the greatest team on earth or a benchwarmer for a local community squad. The games are precious, and every shiny new season promising supercharged athletic contests as far as the eye can see seems to slip away too quickly, evaporating into memories you'll hold dear for life no matter where you finish in the standings. "That's something that happens every year," Ben's coach tells him. "All of a sudden you're closer to the end than the beginning. Way closer." Ben won't have these games as an eleven-year-old forever, when he can rule the league with his finesse point guard skills and huge heart despite his small size. It's up to Ben to cherish the time while he has it, to step onto the court with an appreciation for the gift of playing basketball with his friends, joining forces as teammates to be best of the best. No other experience compares, and that's why Mike Lupica writes so emotionally of sports. They can be the ride of a lifetime.

I appreciate what Mike Lupica does with Play Makers, changing the formula and taking risks he normally doesn't try in his novels. As the middle volume of a trilogy, perhaps Play Makers encourages this risk-taking as standalone novels do not, but I credit Mike Lupica for taking advantage. For its originality and the steadying presence of Ben, who brings a lot to the story as a goodhearted protagonist, I might consider giving Play Makers two and a half stars. My hopes are high for book three, Heavy Hitters, as Ben and the rest of the Core Five enter baseball season. I'm excited for how their narrative will end, though sad to imagine saying a final goodbye to them. I'm sure it will be an experience I won't soon forget.

[Adam M]

The book I read for this book review is called Play Makers by Mike Lupica. The book is about basketball and a boy named Ben Mcbain
And his friends Sam Brown,Coop short for Cooper,Shawn and there on a team called The Rockwell Rams. They play a preseason game against there schools rivals Darby.This what starts it all Darby had just got a new player Chase Braggs now Chase just wasn't a ordinary player.He was cocky good and got in bens head a lot ben would do one thing wrong Chase was in his ear.And this is were Lily comes alone she is Bens friend so girlfriend but not dating.She hangs out with a girl from darby and eventually meets Chase.Thats when they go to a movie Moly Lily’s friend Chase and Molly's brother.And they have to over come Sam Brown Getting hurt loosing to chase twice and not winning the championship.

What Mike Lupica does in this book is amazing when same gets hurt he describes the noises he makes when he falls.The crack of his ankle and the personal feelings like when Chase and Lily start hanging out it tells you how Ben feels.And after games it tells you how Bens beats on him self and worrying about Chase Braggs alot as Ben says in the book.Or when lily gets mad at ben when he flipped out on Chase.All of that makes the book more enjoyable to read.


This book was all around great my favorite part was when ben beat chase for the first time while being hurt.I loved this book if you like sports books i would recommend this to you it shows how ben and his team go threw adversity and face what the real world is like.Mike Lupica's style of writing is so good it gives everyones thought opinions,feelings and etc.This was a medium level book to read but mostly fluent.The ending is the best part he finally beats chase braggs all tho he does not go to the championship game.He still knows he can beat chase braggs.

[David]

David Saunders

Decenber6, 2014

A-3 English








The authors purpose for writing this book was so that he can show you that everything in life isn't always fair. Mike Lupica wrote this book to explain that just because you don't make the team doesn't mean you are terrible at the sport you are trying to make the team for. He also wrote this book to teach kids a lesson and he is basically saying don't just quit because the game is hard play it a figure things out so you can be good at the sport and succeed in the game of life. Mike also wrote this book to encourage the kids who try to make the team so they can play the sport that the love to play but like he is telling you not every thing in life is equal so you have to make do with what you got or don't take any at all.


The them of this book is basically saying reach for the clouds and try your best or just do without and not succeed in the life ahead of you. Mike Lupica is trying to tell his readers that you have to try to even get close to better and if you never try you will never get better at things in life. Another part of the them that he is explaining is don't let all the stuck up good looking kids that think there better then you get in your head just ignore them and do your own thing at practice and during games so that you can have your own style and be better then the game itself. Lupica is explaining that just because there is people better then you does not mean that you cant try and get better and succeed in the things that you may or may not ever experience in your life.


The style of this book would be non-fiction because Mike is talking about real life things that can happen in your life at any given time of the day week or even month. This book is very effective because it is teaching you many different lessons all at one time and they are all very helpful lessons in life that will help you in your everyday doings. This book was a description because it took place during the day around noon and was during the school day at the kids school, and the specific event that was going on is that the boy wasn't able to make the football teal so everyone started bullying him and saying mean stuff to him and when this happens in the story it can make the reader feel like its happening to them.



My opinion of this book, I think it was a really good book and that I would most definitely give it to one of my family members or friends to read it. The best thing I liked about the book is when the kid that didn't make the team made the team and was one of the star players that had ever came through the school. The main part I did not like was when the only thing they did to the boy that didn't make the team was do nothing but tease him and bully him. I would really want to change anything about this book because the way Mike Lupica wrote it is almost near perfect and its just a great book. This book isn't really similar to any other books I have read because all of the other books that I have read were all about blood and crime scenes.

[Kathy Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lupica, Mike. Game Changers: Play Makers (2013).
Characters: Main Characters - Ben McBain (Protagonist). Sam Brown, Shawn O’Brien, Cooper Manley, Darrelle and MJ (Mark Johnson) Lau (Teammates/friends). Lily Wyatt (best friend/love interest). Keith Wright (basketball coach) and Chase Braggs (Ben’s rival, Darby player) Minor Characters - Beth McBain (Ben’s mom), Jeff McBain (Ben’s dad), Brenda (Coach Wright’s girlfriend), Molly Arcelus (Lily’s friend), Jeb Arcelus (Molly’s brother, Darby player), Mr. Manley (Cooper’s dad), Mrs. Manley (Cooper’s mom), Coach O’Brien (football coach), Mr. Russell (YMCA coach), Ryan Hurley (Darby player), Robbie Burnett (Parkerville player), Max Mahoney (Parkerville player), and Jamal Warren (Knights player).
Setting: Rockwell, US (appears to be a small town)
Themes: Sports, Self-Control (Being the Bigger Person), and Standing by your Values
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Plot/Summary: The football season has just ended. Ben’s team won and the boys were still coming down from the amazing victory and season they had achieved. But there is no down time. Basketball season is here, only two weeks later and they have their first scrimmage game of the year. Ben is the best, was the best…A new kid at their rival middle school has something to prove. Chase Braggs is stronger, bigger and louder that Ben. Ben and his team goes up against Chase and the rest of the Darby team only to be beat. Ben lets Chase get under his skin and basketball is no longer fun. Ben is not playing the game he wants to because he’s allowing Chase into his mind. Ben and his friends/teammates have to battle and get through a grueling season. Along the way Ben discovers his feelings for Lily, his admiration for Sam (his other best friend) and he comes into his own. Ben realizes that he must have self-control and continue with his good sportsmanship, regardless of how others act. When Sam gets injured, the season feels likes it over, but the team comes through. They get a push from an unexpected place and realize the true meaning behind playing sports.
Target Audience: Fourth through Eighth Grade
Golden Quote: “ You got the chance to write the ending you wanted, every single time.” Page 85. This quote explains the beauty of sports. Every time you play, it is different. There are so many factors that can change the outcome of the game.
Personal/Critique: Ben McBain has his head wrapped around in the world of sports. It was refreshing to see female characters that know, understand and love that world too. It made sense that Lily, his best friend and love interest would also be an athlete with a strong connection to the sports world. She would often remind him that he should be playing to have fun, not so serious. At times, she seemed flighty but in the end they had come to a better understanding of each other. In addition, there was a lot of sports jargon, basketball play references, and mentioning of current star athletes. This book would be a nice addition to any home or classroom that has sports enthusiasts but it might be difficult for readers who do not have prior experience with the game of basketball.