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Sunday Money
It's 1971, but for Claire Joyce and girls’ basketball, it might as well be 1871. Stilted rules (three-bounce dribbling, two roving players for full-court games, and uniforms that include bloomers) set their play unfairly apart from the boys’ basketball Claire’s older brother John has trained her in.
Basketball is the only constant in Claire life, and as she enters her teen years the skills she’s cultivated on the court—passing, shooting, and faking—help her guard against the chaos of an alcoholic mother, an increasingly violent younger brother, and the downward spiral her beloved John soon finds himself unable to climb out of. Deeply cut from the cloth of the Catholic Church, Brooklyn’s working class, and the limited expectations her world has for girls, Claire strives to find a mirror that might reflect a different, future self. Then Title IX bounces on the scene. Suddenly, girls’ basketball becomes explosive, musical, passionate, and driven—and if Claire plays it just right, it just might offer a full ride to a previously out-of-reach college.
Sunday Money follows Claire as she narrates her way through 1970s Brooklyn, hustling on and off the court and striving to break free of the turmoil in her home and the rulebook “good” girls are supposed to follow.
Basketball is the only constant in Claire life, and as she enters her teen years the skills she’s cultivated on the court—passing, shooting, and faking—help her guard against the chaos of an alcoholic mother, an increasingly violent younger brother, and the downward spiral her beloved John soon finds himself unable to climb out of. Deeply cut from the cloth of the Catholic Church, Brooklyn’s working class, and the limited expectations her world has for girls, Claire strives to find a mirror that might reflect a different, future self. Then Title IX bounces on the scene. Suddenly, girls’ basketball becomes explosive, musical, passionate, and driven—and if Claire plays it just right, it just might offer a full ride to a previously out-of-reach college.
Sunday Money follows Claire as she narrates her way through 1970s Brooklyn, hustling on and off the court and striving to break free of the turmoil in her home and the rulebook “good” girls are supposed to follow.
224 pages, Paperback
Published May 14, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
June 12, 2024
✰ 3.25 stars ✰
“Untouchable. Defying gravity. In person, it stirs my whole soul. It’s terrifying and charming and looks like a ballet. There should be music accompanying it.
This is what grace looks like.”
I initially thought Sunday Money would center more around Claire's time as a female basketball player - one that would feature go-away games, or training in earnest, or one that would feature the difficulties of being taken seriously in a very male-dominant team sport. But, what I read, instead, was a coming-of-age story of a young girl living in Brooklyn during the 70s, where she struggles not only being taken seriously as a devoted basketball player, but the trials her family faces, as they grapple with the onslaught of her older brother, John on a downward spiral of drugs that will play a bigger part in her future - more than just being the older supportive brother whose passion for basketball was one of the main reasons she loved basketball as much as she did.
We follow Claire through her teen years, as her desire for improving her basketball talents grows, while also dealing with her own family crisis. The youngest of three older brothers, she's never felt like she's been appreciated enough - often overlooked by all the violent abuse her older brother Bobby inflicts upon her, as well as the quiet nonchalant attitude her alcoholic mother has in her interest in her daughter's life, while her father works late nights. The conflict arises even more so when John does end up in prison for a crime he committed, dampening her dream of being a professional basketball player, when the very person that inspired her was now behind bars.
“Work is the number one goal in my family. If you have a job, if you’re bringing money in, if you’re holding your own, you’re a success.”
But, what the author skillfully did was create these very believable characters in lives that felt real; the letters Claire exchanged with John, talking about her hopes and challenges, urging her not to abandon her studies, and still be true to her own raw talent was vividly captured. 😟 The unwavering support he always offered her, despite his own tumultuous affairs that made it difficult for him to ever be on solid ground. Her pain at her own mother seeing her self-worth and not being amused by the moments when she would have a change in nature of being good was relatable. 😞 The trials she faced of trying to live a normal life as a girl - having a boyfriend, doing well in school, maintaining female friendships, while trying to make it in downtown Brooklyn and all the toils of her family living situation - everything was painted in such a clear and descriptive light that the time and her life came alive in the words. 👍🏻👍🏻
You get a real sense of what their family dynamic is like between the siblings and the parents, how Claire wants to fit in and just get by with what they have and who they are, but so many outside forces, in terms of their personalities or their money-related ventures makes it difficult for them truly to connect as a supportive unit. 'We know where John is, and we love him and pray for him every day, but we are secretive and protective about him—even from each other.' 🥺 Despite their issues, there is an unwavering level of love amongst them - one that they may have difficulty expressing, but it exists; because they are a family. Claire's narration was a compelling and clear one - distinct in her thoughts and feelings, making you empathize with her own emotions - be it heartbreaking or heartwarming. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Can you forgive someone, if you have a deep-down feeling of disappointment in them? If your soul doesn’t feel light around certain people, are you holding them continually responsible for the unhappiness you feel where they are concerned?”
It was an intimate and deeply personal read, one that does not shy away from making each shot she makes, a worthwhile one. She's clearly facing a lot, but she holds her own so many times that I couldn't help feeling proud of her and not finding her actions to be too impossible or impractical. I loved when she was able to make a stand for herself - to be her own person and not allow herself to be a victim of her family's problems. 👏🏻👏🏻 'My head feels smacked between two opposites: ferociousness and utter delicacy.' I admired her steadfast commitment to the game - the love for it shining whenever she hit the court with her other teammates or her brother - following the right path so that she could make a future for herself.
What I think made more of an impact on me was how the author very steadily kept John's story running parallel to Claire's. That while her other two brothers were trying to make a name for themselves in their own - trying to build a future a better one than what they had - while still caring for their parents, as the dutiful sons that they were - there is always this prevalent trepidation that John, despite being the most loved brother of the three, something existed that was always holding him back. 😥 A darkness and loneliness he couldn't escape, despite how he tried to find ways to escape from it. And that's why, regardless of seeing that, the ending still caught me off guard; it was a surprise, an unwelcome one, where I kinda burst into tears. Okay, not complete tears, but it hurt in such an unpleasant way that much like Claire - I had to reread the scene, because did I just read what I think I did? 💔😢💔
More than anything, I wish the author could have avoided that path; but, in a way, it was that turning point in Claire's life that she needed to take the next step in her journey. 'I don’t know how I’m going to get where I’m going. But the real failure would be to not even try.' The title holds a double meaning to the story, one when it was hinted towards, it made me keep that in mind as the story progressed, thinking how it would fall into line in the context in which it was explained. And at the end, I did not regret reading this on an impulse; it was a well-thought out coming-of-age YA read - one that strongly hit close to the heart when it needed to, while still giving me solid depth and development to an interesting character - one that truly earned her way to the top, despite the hurdles she had to cross to get there. 🏀🙏🏻
“Untouchable. Defying gravity. In person, it stirs my whole soul. It’s terrifying and charming and looks like a ballet. There should be music accompanying it.
This is what grace looks like.”
I initially thought Sunday Money would center more around Claire's time as a female basketball player - one that would feature go-away games, or training in earnest, or one that would feature the difficulties of being taken seriously in a very male-dominant team sport. But, what I read, instead, was a coming-of-age story of a young girl living in Brooklyn during the 70s, where she struggles not only being taken seriously as a devoted basketball player, but the trials her family faces, as they grapple with the onslaught of her older brother, John on a downward spiral of drugs that will play a bigger part in her future - more than just being the older supportive brother whose passion for basketball was one of the main reasons she loved basketball as much as she did.
We follow Claire through her teen years, as her desire for improving her basketball talents grows, while also dealing with her own family crisis. The youngest of three older brothers, she's never felt like she's been appreciated enough - often overlooked by all the violent abuse her older brother Bobby inflicts upon her, as well as the quiet nonchalant attitude her alcoholic mother has in her interest in her daughter's life, while her father works late nights. The conflict arises even more so when John does end up in prison for a crime he committed, dampening her dream of being a professional basketball player, when the very person that inspired her was now behind bars.
“Work is the number one goal in my family. If you have a job, if you’re bringing money in, if you’re holding your own, you’re a success.”
But, what the author skillfully did was create these very believable characters in lives that felt real; the letters Claire exchanged with John, talking about her hopes and challenges, urging her not to abandon her studies, and still be true to her own raw talent was vividly captured. 😟 The unwavering support he always offered her, despite his own tumultuous affairs that made it difficult for him to ever be on solid ground. Her pain at her own mother seeing her self-worth and not being amused by the moments when she would have a change in nature of being good was relatable. 😞 The trials she faced of trying to live a normal life as a girl - having a boyfriend, doing well in school, maintaining female friendships, while trying to make it in downtown Brooklyn and all the toils of her family living situation - everything was painted in such a clear and descriptive light that the time and her life came alive in the words. 👍🏻👍🏻
You get a real sense of what their family dynamic is like between the siblings and the parents, how Claire wants to fit in and just get by with what they have and who they are, but so many outside forces, in terms of their personalities or their money-related ventures makes it difficult for them truly to connect as a supportive unit. 'We know where John is, and we love him and pray for him every day, but we are secretive and protective about him—even from each other.' 🥺 Despite their issues, there is an unwavering level of love amongst them - one that they may have difficulty expressing, but it exists; because they are a family. Claire's narration was a compelling and clear one - distinct in her thoughts and feelings, making you empathize with her own emotions - be it heartbreaking or heartwarming. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
“Can you forgive someone, if you have a deep-down feeling of disappointment in them? If your soul doesn’t feel light around certain people, are you holding them continually responsible for the unhappiness you feel where they are concerned?”
It was an intimate and deeply personal read, one that does not shy away from making each shot she makes, a worthwhile one. She's clearly facing a lot, but she holds her own so many times that I couldn't help feeling proud of her and not finding her actions to be too impossible or impractical. I loved when she was able to make a stand for herself - to be her own person and not allow herself to be a victim of her family's problems. 👏🏻👏🏻 'My head feels smacked between two opposites: ferociousness and utter delicacy.' I admired her steadfast commitment to the game - the love for it shining whenever she hit the court with her other teammates or her brother - following the right path so that she could make a future for herself.
What I think made more of an impact on me was how the author very steadily kept John's story running parallel to Claire's. That while her other two brothers were trying to make a name for themselves in their own - trying to build a future a better one than what they had - while still caring for their parents, as the dutiful sons that they were - there is always this prevalent trepidation that John, despite being the most loved brother of the three, something existed that was always holding him back. 😥 A darkness and loneliness he couldn't escape, despite how he tried to find ways to escape from it. And that's why, regardless of seeing that, the ending still caught me off guard; it was a surprise, an unwelcome one, where I kinda burst into tears. Okay, not complete tears, but it hurt in such an unpleasant way that much like Claire - I had to reread the scene, because did I just read what I think I did? 💔😢💔
More than anything, I wish the author could have avoided that path; but, in a way, it was that turning point in Claire's life that she needed to take the next step in her journey. 'I don’t know how I’m going to get where I’m going. But the real failure would be to not even try.' The title holds a double meaning to the story, one when it was hinted towards, it made me keep that in mind as the story progressed, thinking how it would fall into line in the context in which it was explained. And at the end, I did not regret reading this on an impulse; it was a well-thought out coming-of-age YA read - one that strongly hit close to the heart when it needed to, while still giving me solid depth and development to an interesting character - one that truly earned her way to the top, despite the hurdles she had to cross to get there. 🏀🙏🏻
May 24, 2024
Die-hard basketball fans would enjoy this book, set in 1970’s Brooklyn.
The nostalgia factor is high; a time of no cell phones, of watching the same t.v. shows as everyone else at night, of kids staying out to play after sunset. It’s also a time when boys were being sent to Vietnam, women were still expected to stay home and be housewives, and girls were almost never allowed on organized sports teams like boys were. Coming-of-age came with both joys and disappointments for young people then, as now…
Red Flags:
This novel would be more suited for adult readers.
Incidents of drug abuse, alcoholism, and child abuse are frequent. A main character dies of a heroin overdose. Sibling rivalry turns violent on several occasions. Vulgar language is used frequently.
The nostalgia factor is high; a time of no cell phones, of watching the same t.v. shows as everyone else at night, of kids staying out to play after sunset. It’s also a time when boys were being sent to Vietnam, women were still expected to stay home and be housewives, and girls were almost never allowed on organized sports teams like boys were. Coming-of-age came with both joys and disappointments for young people then, as now…
Red Flags:
This novel would be more suited for adult readers.
Incidents of drug abuse, alcoholism, and child abuse are frequent. A main character dies of a heroin overdose. Sibling rivalry turns violent on several occasions. Vulgar language is used frequently.
April 30, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending me an arc for the spring pop-up <3
Sunday Money by Maggie Hill was such a crazy read. The whole premise is meant to shock you and make you feel slightly uncomfortable reading it, and Hill did exactly that. It was so interesting to read about girls basketball in the 1970s and to follow Claire’s journey. As someone who grew up in a Catholic household and played basketball, this book was something special. It touched on such important, uncomfortable topics in a really unique way. Some of the topics discussed include alcoholism, drug use, poverty, sexism, etc. Please look at the trigger warnings because this book definitely isn’t for everyone. With that being said, I had a pretty enjoyable time flying through this book. Thank you once again to Booksparks and Maggie Hill for sending me my first ever physical arc copy, I’m forever grateful <3 I highly recommend getting yourself a copy when it releases on May 14!
** Please search up TW!! **
Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending me an arc for the spring pop-up <3
Sunday Money by Maggie Hill was such a crazy read. The whole premise is meant to shock you and make you feel slightly uncomfortable reading it, and Hill did exactly that. It was so interesting to read about girls basketball in the 1970s and to follow Claire’s journey. As someone who grew up in a Catholic household and played basketball, this book was something special. It touched on such important, uncomfortable topics in a really unique way. Some of the topics discussed include alcoholism, drug use, poverty, sexism, etc. Please look at the trigger warnings because this book definitely isn’t for everyone. With that being said, I had a pretty enjoyable time flying through this book. Thank you once again to Booksparks and Maggie Hill for sending me my first ever physical arc copy, I’m forever grateful <3 I highly recommend getting yourself a copy when it releases on May 14!
** Please search up TW!! **
April 15, 2024
I was given an ARC of this book from the publisher. This in no way affects my review of this book.
Sunday Money follows the story of a girl named Claire as she grows up in New York in the 1970s. It is a story about basketball, and family, and growing up, and it conveys all of that wonderfully.
I'm always on the lookout for books about sports, so when I was offered a chance to read this one, I jumped on it. I went into it expecting a lot of basketball, but what I got was so much more.
The complex family dynamics in this book were especially important to touch on. Claire's family does not have a lot of money. Her mom is an alcoholic, her three brothers are each involved in drugs and alcohol, and she sometimes worries about coming home to a drunk mom or her psychopathic brother, Bobby. However, she refuses to let her family go, supporting them and expecting the best even when they haven't always been there for her.
Her relationship with basketball also blooms beautifully throughout the story. Basketball is Claire's one constant, and the thing that she trusts most. As she grows, her confidence and skills bloom, and it's inspiring to watch her seek chances to play whenever possible, and continue working towards her goals.
The time period, New York City in the 1970s, is also really well depicted. It remains a prevalent part of the story, but is not overbearing. This allows it to set up the plot and characters well, while also allowing the story to take off on its own.
I will be publishing a blog post on this book shortly with more of my thoughts, so stay tuned!
Sunday Money follows the story of a girl named Claire as she grows up in New York in the 1970s. It is a story about basketball, and family, and growing up, and it conveys all of that wonderfully.
I'm always on the lookout for books about sports, so when I was offered a chance to read this one, I jumped on it. I went into it expecting a lot of basketball, but what I got was so much more.
The complex family dynamics in this book were especially important to touch on. Claire's family does not have a lot of money. Her mom is an alcoholic, her three brothers are each involved in drugs and alcohol, and she sometimes worries about coming home to a drunk mom or her psychopathic brother, Bobby. However, she refuses to let her family go, supporting them and expecting the best even when they haven't always been there for her.
Her relationship with basketball also blooms beautifully throughout the story. Basketball is Claire's one constant, and the thing that she trusts most. As she grows, her confidence and skills bloom, and it's inspiring to watch her seek chances to play whenever possible, and continue working towards her goals.
The time period, New York City in the 1970s, is also really well depicted. It remains a prevalent part of the story, but is not overbearing. This allows it to set up the plot and characters well, while also allowing the story to take off on its own.
I will be publishing a blog post on this book shortly with more of my thoughts, so stay tuned!
May 17, 2024
“Why isn’t it okay for me to be involved in the game I’m playing? Why do girls have to act so different about how they feel?”
Sunday Money is a story about the loyalties of family and the love of the game of basketball. It’s 1971 and Claire loves the game. But it’s not a game widely accepted for female athletes. Oh man how times have changed, both in terms of athletics and family dynamics.
I loved the relationships between Claire and her brother John and how supportive he was of her quest to be great on the court. Despite John’s many bad decisions and the subsequent consequences of that, she stayed loyal and he continued to give her pointers…even via letters from prison.
Claire is a tough and very strong character, dealing with a violent younger brother, an alcoholic mother, and an ill father. This book was like taking a peek inside a family and seeing just how messy families can be. If you love basketball you would enjoy this story!
Thank you @BookSparks for the #gifted book and the spot on the tour.
Sunday Money is a story about the loyalties of family and the love of the game of basketball. It’s 1971 and Claire loves the game. But it’s not a game widely accepted for female athletes. Oh man how times have changed, both in terms of athletics and family dynamics.
I loved the relationships between Claire and her brother John and how supportive he was of her quest to be great on the court. Despite John’s many bad decisions and the subsequent consequences of that, she stayed loyal and he continued to give her pointers…even via letters from prison.
Claire is a tough and very strong character, dealing with a violent younger brother, an alcoholic mother, and an ill father. This book was like taking a peek inside a family and seeing just how messy families can be. If you love basketball you would enjoy this story!
Thank you @BookSparks for the #gifted book and the spot on the tour.
June 11, 2024
A big thank you to author Maggie Hill and @BookSparks for this gifted copy, and for the opportunity to participate in the #SpringPopUp book review tour.
✨What it is about:
Claire, a young girl living in New York in the 1970s, has a passion for basketball, which seems to be her comfort and escape from the complex family dynamics she faces on the daily. In a world where gender roles were strictly defined, and chaos dominated her family life, basketball gave her hope for a brighter future.✨
💭 My Thoughts:
Basketball is one of the few sports I understand very well, and even actually played a very, VERY long time ago 😂. When I saw that this story was centered around it, and a young girl in the ‘70s, I really was interested in reading it. I was pleasantly surprised by how the author threaded the sport flawlessly throughout the entire story. The story was also so much more than what I expected it to be in a very good way. It showed Claire as a strong character, with a strong voice, who did not let all the unpleasant dealings in her life, damper her love for the sport, and her desire to make something of herself, in a world where pretty much all odds were against her. This coming of age story though heartbreaking, was also inspiring and full of hope. It was a short, quick read that packed a punch.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🏀 Basketball
🏀 Epistolary elements
🏀 The ‘70s
🏀 Complex family dynamics
🏀 Strong MFC
⚠️ CW: Alcoholism, drug use, verbal and physical abuse, abandonment, death, religious references.
✨What it is about:
Claire, a young girl living in New York in the 1970s, has a passion for basketball, which seems to be her comfort and escape from the complex family dynamics she faces on the daily. In a world where gender roles were strictly defined, and chaos dominated her family life, basketball gave her hope for a brighter future.✨
💭 My Thoughts:
Basketball is one of the few sports I understand very well, and even actually played a very, VERY long time ago 😂. When I saw that this story was centered around it, and a young girl in the ‘70s, I really was interested in reading it. I was pleasantly surprised by how the author threaded the sport flawlessly throughout the entire story. The story was also so much more than what I expected it to be in a very good way. It showed Claire as a strong character, with a strong voice, who did not let all the unpleasant dealings in her life, damper her love for the sport, and her desire to make something of herself, in a world where pretty much all odds were against her. This coming of age story though heartbreaking, was also inspiring and full of hope. It was a short, quick read that packed a punch.
4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Read if you like:
🏀 Basketball
🏀 Epistolary elements
🏀 The ‘70s
🏀 Complex family dynamics
🏀 Strong MFC
⚠️ CW: Alcoholism, drug use, verbal and physical abuse, abandonment, death, religious references.
August 18, 2024
Really loved how the novel brought me to a specific time and place. It felt like Brooklyn was a character in itself. Claire’s voice was unique and realistic. I loved both her strength and vulnerability. This was a fast read and and was overall very moving.
Read
October 19, 2024The Beginning
Sunday Money is told from the perspective of Claire. The prologue from August 1975 takes place at a pivotal moment in her life when she is trying out for Immaculata College’s girls basketball team. She is far from her home in Brooklyn and her narrative clearly communicates her passion for basketball, the exhilaration of playing the sport and her relationship with the basket. The rest of the book is Claire’s story of how she arrived at this moment.
In 1968, Claire is ten years old. She is the youngest girl with three older brothers. Her father is a cab driver while her mother drinks away her days. They live in a small rental apartment in Brooklyn, not far from a basketball court. Claire is hardworking and diligent. She is also a keen observer and knows her mom’s moods very well. She is close to her brother, John, who teaches her basketball and encourages her to be good at it.
The Family
Sunday Money beautifully explores the challenges faced by Claire and her family, their choices, consequences and evolving relationships. Though told from the perspective of Claire, I got to know her whole family and their relationships with each other. I got to know them in their worst and best, sharing joys and grief.
I loved the relationship between Claire and John. When she is young, she worships him but as she gets older, she doesn’t turn a blind eye to his shortcomings. She has always been an advocate for herself and those she loves and sometimes that means calling out when one of her older brothers is not doing the right thing.
Her observations about her parents were gut wrenching. Her dad is barely around in her teen years but she sees the loneliness he carries. She grew up with a mom who drank and was constantly in a bad mood. This had an effect on her and it shows in her older narratives. The evolution of the mother-daughter relationship was another highlight for me in this book.
Basketball & the Growing Landscape
Like in a basketball game, the narrative is divided into four quarters. The first quarter takes place in 1968, the second between 1970-71, the third in 1974-75 and the final quarter in 1975. There is a 5 min overtime from July 1975. I love this organization of the story with basketball and how central this sport is to Clarie from a very young age. The title of the book is also related to basketball as it refers to the small price games held on Sundays and how Claire saves what she can for a rainy day.
I didn’t play any sports and because basketball was so popular in my school, it was one that was actively avoided. When I started this book, I wondered if my aversion to the sport would have an effect on enjoying this book. I am happy to say that it did! Sunday Money is so well written that I was content to be with Claire and not think about my past experiences. Basketball represents many things to Claire. It is something she shares with John. Even when he is far away, basketball is a topic of discussion in their letters. She shows up at the school yard to play without fail, every day. As she gets older and starts to see girls her age lose interest in the game, Claire stands by it. When her high school doesn’t have a serious coach, she quits the team but continues to play in her free time. It is also her escape from an unhappy home. Through her, I learned how the game changed over the years and the importance of the Title IX legislation.
I haven’t read a story about a teenager going to school in a while, let alone education in the 1970-80s US. I enjoyed Claire’s assignments and her unabashed honesty. The world of Catholic schools and Nuns was new to me. I appreciated how much her school teachers cared for her success when she expressed interest in applying for college, the first person in her family to do so. The support she had from her brother was also very emotional.
Sunday Money is a poignant and moving coming of age story. I loved watching Claire grow into the woman she became in the span of a decade. As she grows older and sees more of the world, her thoughts evolve. By the fourth quarter, she ponders forgiveness, love and god. When she faces unfathomable grief, she finds herself lost and unable to go forward. Those moments of darkness that lead to her epiphany that she must go for her tryout because someone always believed in her gets me teared up thinking about it.
I highly recommend this book. I received a digital review copy of this book for an honest review and will be adding it to my home library as soon as I get a chance. You’ll hear me rave about it for a long time. 🙂
This review was first published on my blog. Check out the author interview there.
- Kriti, Armed with A Book | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Sunday Money is told from the perspective of Claire. The prologue from August 1975 takes place at a pivotal moment in her life when she is trying out for Immaculata College’s girls basketball team. She is far from her home in Brooklyn and her narrative clearly communicates her passion for basketball, the exhilaration of playing the sport and her relationship with the basket. The rest of the book is Claire’s story of how she arrived at this moment.
In 1968, Claire is ten years old. She is the youngest girl with three older brothers. Her father is a cab driver while her mother drinks away her days. They live in a small rental apartment in Brooklyn, not far from a basketball court. Claire is hardworking and diligent. She is also a keen observer and knows her mom’s moods very well. She is close to her brother, John, who teaches her basketball and encourages her to be good at it.
The Family
Sunday Money beautifully explores the challenges faced by Claire and her family, their choices, consequences and evolving relationships. Though told from the perspective of Claire, I got to know her whole family and their relationships with each other. I got to know them in their worst and best, sharing joys and grief.
I loved the relationship between Claire and John. When she is young, she worships him but as she gets older, she doesn’t turn a blind eye to his shortcomings. She has always been an advocate for herself and those she loves and sometimes that means calling out when one of her older brothers is not doing the right thing.
Her observations about her parents were gut wrenching. Her dad is barely around in her teen years but she sees the loneliness he carries. She grew up with a mom who drank and was constantly in a bad mood. This had an effect on her and it shows in her older narratives. The evolution of the mother-daughter relationship was another highlight for me in this book.
Basketball & the Growing Landscape
Like in a basketball game, the narrative is divided into four quarters. The first quarter takes place in 1968, the second between 1970-71, the third in 1974-75 and the final quarter in 1975. There is a 5 min overtime from July 1975. I love this organization of the story with basketball and how central this sport is to Clarie from a very young age. The title of the book is also related to basketball as it refers to the small price games held on Sundays and how Claire saves what she can for a rainy day.
I didn’t play any sports and because basketball was so popular in my school, it was one that was actively avoided. When I started this book, I wondered if my aversion to the sport would have an effect on enjoying this book. I am happy to say that it did! Sunday Money is so well written that I was content to be with Claire and not think about my past experiences. Basketball represents many things to Claire. It is something she shares with John. Even when he is far away, basketball is a topic of discussion in their letters. She shows up at the school yard to play without fail, every day. As she gets older and starts to see girls her age lose interest in the game, Claire stands by it. When her high school doesn’t have a serious coach, she quits the team but continues to play in her free time. It is also her escape from an unhappy home. Through her, I learned how the game changed over the years and the importance of the Title IX legislation.
I haven’t read a story about a teenager going to school in a while, let alone education in the 1970-80s US. I enjoyed Claire’s assignments and her unabashed honesty. The world of Catholic schools and Nuns was new to me. I appreciated how much her school teachers cared for her success when she expressed interest in applying for college, the first person in her family to do so. The support she had from her brother was also very emotional.
Sunday Money is a poignant and moving coming of age story. I loved watching Claire grow into the woman she became in the span of a decade. As she grows older and sees more of the world, her thoughts evolve. By the fourth quarter, she ponders forgiveness, love and god. When she faces unfathomable grief, she finds herself lost and unable to go forward. Those moments of darkness that lead to her epiphany that she must go for her tryout because someone always believed in her gets me teared up thinking about it.
I highly recommend this book. I received a digital review copy of this book for an honest review and will be adding it to my home library as soon as I get a chance. You’ll hear me rave about it for a long time. 🙂
This review was first published on my blog. Check out the author interview there.
- Kriti, Armed with A Book | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
March 6, 2024
Thank you Netgalley and She Writes Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!
"Sunday Money" by Maggie Hill is a beautifully written coming-of-age tale filled with emotion set against the backdrop of 1970s Brooklyn, where young girls like Claire Joyce are navigating through the complexities of family troubles, competitive basketball, and a changing world on the cusp of Title IX. As someone born in the 90s with absolutely no experience in sports, I didn’t have much prior knowledge about the focus of this book, but Hill was able to both inform and engage me with both the characters and the plot, all centered around the history of 1970s America, especially with the focus of Title IX in sports.
Claire's journey is an exploration of resilience and determination as she finds solace and purpose in the game of basketball amidst the chaos of her upbringing. Through Hill's vivid storytelling, you are transported to a time when gender roles were rigidly defined, yet sports offered a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. This book is able to evoke nostalgia for those who came of age during the same era while providing younger generations with a window into a pivotal moment in history. I think this book would do very well in the high school English classroom for those who are interested in both sports and history. This book is very informative while also having relatable characters, especially with Claire. Claire's passion for basketball, coupled with her fierce determination to overcome obstacles, makes her a relatable and inspiring protagonist.
The basketball motif serves as a powerful thread that connects Claire to her family, friends, and the broader community, adding depth and richness to the narrative. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters while also seeing how the plot progressed. The characters felt very authentic, and the plot was engaging throughout. I sped through this book, finishing it in just a few hours, and I absolutely loved every part of this book.
Overall, "Sunday Money" is a heartfelt story that celebrates the power of sports and togetherness/teamwork. With its engaging characters, authentic voice, and strong sense of place, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys feminist literature with a focus on sports.
"Sunday Money" by Maggie Hill is a beautifully written coming-of-age tale filled with emotion set against the backdrop of 1970s Brooklyn, where young girls like Claire Joyce are navigating through the complexities of family troubles, competitive basketball, and a changing world on the cusp of Title IX. As someone born in the 90s with absolutely no experience in sports, I didn’t have much prior knowledge about the focus of this book, but Hill was able to both inform and engage me with both the characters and the plot, all centered around the history of 1970s America, especially with the focus of Title IX in sports.
Claire's journey is an exploration of resilience and determination as she finds solace and purpose in the game of basketball amidst the chaos of her upbringing. Through Hill's vivid storytelling, you are transported to a time when gender roles were rigidly defined, yet sports offered a glimmer of hope for a brighter future. This book is able to evoke nostalgia for those who came of age during the same era while providing younger generations with a window into a pivotal moment in history. I think this book would do very well in the high school English classroom for those who are interested in both sports and history. This book is very informative while also having relatable characters, especially with Claire. Claire's passion for basketball, coupled with her fierce determination to overcome obstacles, makes her a relatable and inspiring protagonist.
The basketball motif serves as a powerful thread that connects Claire to her family, friends, and the broader community, adding depth and richness to the narrative. I really enjoyed the depth of the characters while also seeing how the plot progressed. The characters felt very authentic, and the plot was engaging throughout. I sped through this book, finishing it in just a few hours, and I absolutely loved every part of this book.
Overall, "Sunday Money" is a heartfelt story that celebrates the power of sports and togetherness/teamwork. With its engaging characters, authentic voice, and strong sense of place, this book is a must-read for anyone who enjoys feminist literature with a focus on sports.
May 9, 2024
Claire Joyce is growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s, and what she loves more than anything else is playing basketball. Her older brother John taught her, but sports have traditionally been reserved for boys, and despite the passage of Title IX in 1972, it’s difficult to find opportunities to play.
For Claire, basketball is the bright spot amidst a challenging life: her working-class family struggles to make ends meet, her father is rarely home, her mother is an alcoholic (and often mean when drunk), her older brother John (whom she admires) is in prison, and her brother Bobby is violent and abusive. It’s a lot to navigate for a young woman who is trying to grow into herself and determine what her future can look like.
Students who are interested in sports will love the detailed descriptions of basketball that weave throughout the book. But there’s also something there for those of us who are less athletically inclined: Claire’s efforts to manage her family are sad yet relatable and ring true for those of us who have learned how to “read” a family member’s demeanor for telltale signs and must grapple with a combination of love, anger, and hurt over how our family members treat us and themselves.
The novel includes a few instances of profanity, and drug use plays a significant role in the story, but for the most part, the novel is appropriate for a wide range of students, especially since it follows Claire from the end of elementary school through her senior year of high school.
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.
For Claire, basketball is the bright spot amidst a challenging life: her working-class family struggles to make ends meet, her father is rarely home, her mother is an alcoholic (and often mean when drunk), her older brother John (whom she admires) is in prison, and her brother Bobby is violent and abusive. It’s a lot to navigate for a young woman who is trying to grow into herself and determine what her future can look like.
Students who are interested in sports will love the detailed descriptions of basketball that weave throughout the book. But there’s also something there for those of us who are less athletically inclined: Claire’s efforts to manage her family are sad yet relatable and ring true for those of us who have learned how to “read” a family member’s demeanor for telltale signs and must grapple with a combination of love, anger, and hurt over how our family members treat us and themselves.
The novel includes a few instances of profanity, and drug use plays a significant role in the story, but for the most part, the novel is appropriate for a wide range of students, especially since it follows Claire from the end of elementary school through her senior year of high school.
Thank you NetGalley and She Writes Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are our own.
May 22, 2024
Sunday Money by Maggie Hill was an unexpected read for me. It was one of the most heart wenching books that I have read this year. Originally I thought the book would focus more on basketball but it was so much more than that. Claire is such a strong young woman. Between dealing with her own teenage problems she has to worry about her brother's volatile temper, her mothers drinking, her fathers poor health, and her eldest brothers drug use.
Even through all of her families problems she loves and supports them. Especially her brother John. Their relationship was beautiful. He was always there to give her love and support even when he was fighting his own demons. I loved how they wrote each other while he was in jail. He was so supportive of her playing basketball. He even helped to train her and give her insight while he was away. John wanted Claire to become something more in life and he pushed her to apply for colleges. The ending of this story broke my heart. I wanted so much better for John.
Claire's love of basketball was so inspiring. She stuck with the sport even though other girls her age were giving it up for boys and makeup. I really liked how she found a college that would allow her to play basketball. I also found it inspiring how she kept practicing to learn the "boys" style of basketball so she could play at college. She was willing to do anything it would take to play.
Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending me an arc for the spring pop-up.
Even through all of her families problems she loves and supports them. Especially her brother John. Their relationship was beautiful. He was always there to give her love and support even when he was fighting his own demons. I loved how they wrote each other while he was in jail. He was so supportive of her playing basketball. He even helped to train her and give her insight while he was away. John wanted Claire to become something more in life and he pushed her to apply for colleges. The ending of this story broke my heart. I wanted so much better for John.
Claire's love of basketball was so inspiring. She stuck with the sport even though other girls her age were giving it up for boys and makeup. I really liked how she found a college that would allow her to play basketball. I also found it inspiring how she kept practicing to learn the "boys" style of basketball so she could play at college. She was willing to do anything it would take to play.
Thank you so much to Booksparks for sending me an arc for the spring pop-up.
July 10, 2024
I was instantly transported back to my earlier years. It’s hard to describe the “feeling” of the 1960’s / 70’s; the experience of the old Brooklyn neighborhood, the importance of sports in our lives, complications and social problems we lived with everyday as just the normal way of living, but the author captures this with perfection!! I remembered my own Brooklyn childhood in a vivid rush with fierce nostalgia! The coming of age story of Claire in all of her humility and courage is striking, and, honestly, her journey broke my heart. Claire has an innocence and sense of hope familiar to all of us but also a sharp critical eye of the dangers descending on her family that made her wise beyond her years and a smart survivor.
Claire’s parents and brothers clearly love her and most seek to protect her, but they are victims and survivors of their own life experiences and are sadly limited. The conflicts and mix of emotions are subtlety inferred by the author and, thereby, powerful and moving to the reader. I felt a strong need to somehow take action to save everyone in this family and kept reminding myself that they were fiction!!
This book is a wonderful experience of complicated family, coming of age, survival, and drive, all threaded together with the game of basketball. I loved it! Now I have to jump back into real life! But I’ll quietly keep
Cheering for Claire’s success!
Claire’s parents and brothers clearly love her and most seek to protect her, but they are victims and survivors of their own life experiences and are sadly limited. The conflicts and mix of emotions are subtlety inferred by the author and, thereby, powerful and moving to the reader. I felt a strong need to somehow take action to save everyone in this family and kept reminding myself that they were fiction!!
This book is a wonderful experience of complicated family, coming of age, survival, and drive, all threaded together with the game of basketball. I loved it! Now I have to jump back into real life! But I’ll quietly keep
Cheering for Claire’s success!
May 16, 2024
Sunday Money by Maggie Hill is a young adult historical fiction novel that explores big themes. Themes like identity, strained family relationships, alcoholism, loss and escape all against the backdrop of basketball in Brooklyn in the 1970’s. Claire is trying to find her own way: her own way in her family, at school and in what her future holds. Torn between an obligation to an unhealthy family and a burning desire to free herself from it, she knows basketball holds the key. Inspired by her brother John, Claire spends much of her time perfecting her skills, staying out of trouble and navigating her family. But when things go wrong, how will Claire find her way forward? I was completely connected with Claire and the turmoil she was in: the need to please, her superpower of reading subtle cues to respond accordingly, her disgust at how the world works for some and her clarity to take charge of her own life. And while this was a family I thought I’d love to hate, I soon realized that each family member was on their own journey, too… journeys that I couldn’t understand and couldn’t envision until the author brought me along for the ride with each one of them, too. It’s a powerful book.
May 3, 2024
Sunday Money took me by complete surprise. I knew very little going in…a coming of age story about a girl named Claire in New York during the 70s and basketball as a major theme. What I read was so much more than what I was expecting and in a good way!
This story to me is about Claire and her complex family dynamic… with basketball as thread throughout. Something for Claire to revisit when she is needing an escape from home.
I really enjoyed the era and setting. It felt like a letter to New York streets. Speaking of letters a portion of this is in that format between Claire and one of her brothers and those letters felt like such a comfort to both of them and me as a reader, you will quickly find out why they correspond this way.
I read a review that compared it to a modern A Tree Grows In Brooklyn which is one of my favorite books and I can definitely see that comparison.
This is around 200 pages and I found myself flying through it. Invested in Claire and eventually her family.
Thank you Booksparks and She Writes Press
Releases 5/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
This story to me is about Claire and her complex family dynamic… with basketball as thread throughout. Something for Claire to revisit when she is needing an escape from home.
I really enjoyed the era and setting. It felt like a letter to New York streets. Speaking of letters a portion of this is in that format between Claire and one of her brothers and those letters felt like such a comfort to both of them and me as a reader, you will quickly find out why they correspond this way.
I read a review that compared it to a modern A Tree Grows In Brooklyn which is one of my favorite books and I can definitely see that comparison.
This is around 200 pages and I found myself flying through it. Invested in Claire and eventually her family.
Thank you Booksparks and She Writes Press
Releases 5/14
Follow me on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Lyon.brit.A...
April 28, 2024
This one was a really quick read. It follows Claire, who is a teen in New York. Her home life is kind of a mess, with brothers who are on drugs, violent, and an alcoholic. Her mom is also an alcoholic and her dad is not around much. What she has and what she loves is basketball.
*spoilers*
I found myself really intrigued by this family. The characters were fleshed out well and I definitely found myself wanting more! I wanted to know if Martin, John, and Bobby were emulating behaviors they’d seen or if there were different reasons for their decisions. Some of the most poignant moments of this novel were the letters and conversations between Claire and John.
I know this was set in the 70s but it was absolutely wild how Claire’s brother Bobby treated her and there was no punishment for him. The ending while not a shock, was a surprise to me. I’m glad she got away, and was taking the chance to do life on her own terms. This is a really tough read, but I flew through it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC, and thank you to the publisher for my finished copy as well!
*spoilers*
I found myself really intrigued by this family. The characters were fleshed out well and I definitely found myself wanting more! I wanted to know if Martin, John, and Bobby were emulating behaviors they’d seen or if there were different reasons for their decisions. Some of the most poignant moments of this novel were the letters and conversations between Claire and John.
I know this was set in the 70s but it was absolutely wild how Claire’s brother Bobby treated her and there was no punishment for him. The ending while not a shock, was a surprise to me. I’m glad she got away, and was taking the chance to do life on her own terms. This is a really tough read, but I flew through it.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC, and thank you to the publisher for my finished copy as well!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2024
Sunday Monday transported me right back to my girlhood, 1970's, Brooklyn. A time when being a girl started to mean you could go somewhere, somewhere the boys had always been able to go, but in that time, in that Brooklyn, role models were few and far between. The young Claire Joyce takes us on trip through that time as she navigates her way through family troubles, and competitive basketball, girls basketball right on the verge of Title IX when suddenly sports can be a ticket out of town, a chance at college, an opportunity to have a life different from the one you were born to. We fall in love with Claire's straight up voice, passion, and humor as we champion her struggles and celebrate her wins, on and off the court. This is a do not miss read for young girls who are fortunate to have many role models for equality today and for us older girls who remember when that wasn't the case. You will be happy to have shared the journey with Claire Joyce.
February 25, 2024
In some respects "Sunday Money" was like a more modern "A Tree Grows in Brooklyn" with engaging characters and a strong sense of place. The basketball motif was a wonderful thread that connected the main character to family members, friends, and her school experiences. I know this was probably written to appeal to young adults, but as an adult who came of age at about the same time as this, and as a kid who grew up Catholic and also was obsessed with basketball, I found it really engaging. The narrator's voice was strong and so honest! At one point I remember thinking, "but you just said you liked the coach and now you hate her?" Then I realized that this is typical adolescent thinking and it made me love the book even more. I think it also didn't hurt that I could recite all the prayers...The ending was spot on too!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for making the e-book available.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for making the e-book available.
May 2, 2024
Sunday Money is a captivating, important, magnificent, unique, special, youthful, and powerful book! I love that this story gives voice to women facing barriers. Stories which highlight the fight, determination, and grit it takes to make progress are just as important as highlighting the triumph. This fictional book beautifully gives voice to one girl's fight to follow her passion without gender discriminatory rules. It is a story any women can relate to. This book is girl power at its finest!
The time frame of this book is 1968 to 1975. Claire lives to play basketball, but girls' basketball isn't real basketball. There are many rules and restrictions Claire has never had to follow while playing with her brother. The absurdity and unfairness is apparent. Add that to a challenging home life and complicated family relationships.....Claire has a lot to navigate. (Spoiler alert there are some bumps in the road, but she does so with grace, strength, and resilience)!
The time frame of this book is 1968 to 1975. Claire lives to play basketball, but girls' basketball isn't real basketball. There are many rules and restrictions Claire has never had to follow while playing with her brother. The absurdity and unfairness is apparent. Add that to a challenging home life and complicated family relationships.....Claire has a lot to navigate. (Spoiler alert there are some bumps in the road, but she does so with grace, strength, and resilience)!
May 17, 2024
Just in time for tip off of the 2024 WNBA season, “Sunday Money” by Maggie Hill is the perfect coming of age novel following a young New Yorker who learns about life, love and basketball before Title IX.
Basketball is an escape for the narrator, Clare Joyce. A much needed distraction from a tumultuous home life - a bipolar brother, alcoholic mother, and a heroin addicted sibling. While the book talked some pretty technical basketball, the story really was about learning to navigate the complexities of familial trauma.
I enjoyed how Clare’s wide-eyed optimism pulled me through the book, but also showed glimpses of maturity as years passed and she could see the cracks of perfection of the family members she long held on such a high pedestal.
The take away for me was finding your path to the hoop of life is in your court - no one can shoot the ball for you.
Thanks to Book Sparks and Maggie Hill for the gifted copy!
Basketball is an escape for the narrator, Clare Joyce. A much needed distraction from a tumultuous home life - a bipolar brother, alcoholic mother, and a heroin addicted sibling. While the book talked some pretty technical basketball, the story really was about learning to navigate the complexities of familial trauma.
I enjoyed how Clare’s wide-eyed optimism pulled me through the book, but also showed glimpses of maturity as years passed and she could see the cracks of perfection of the family members she long held on such a high pedestal.
The take away for me was finding your path to the hoop of life is in your court - no one can shoot the ball for you.
Thanks to Book Sparks and Maggie Hill for the gifted copy!
July 30, 2024
I received an early copy of this book with the expectation of an honest review.
It took me a while to get to this novel, but once I started, I truly couldn't put it down.
As an athlete, the importance of sports in the MC life really struck a note. And even though I don't play basketball or understand a thing about it, I was able to connect to the story. The themes of drug abuse, alcoholism, and other challenges/conflicts Claire faces were portrayed with extreme grace and levity. It was quite well done.
The ending was heartbreaking but exactly what the story needed. Honestly, I think the last few chapters were my favorite part.
It took me a while to get to this novel, but once I started, I truly couldn't put it down.
As an athlete, the importance of sports in the MC life really struck a note. And even though I don't play basketball or understand a thing about it, I was able to connect to the story. The themes of drug abuse, alcoholism, and other challenges/conflicts Claire faces were portrayed with extreme grace and levity. It was quite well done.
The ending was heartbreaking but exactly what the story needed. Honestly, I think the last few chapters were my favorite part.
May 17, 2025
I grew up in the Midwest, not New York. I was not into sports. My mother didn’t drink. And yet, and yet . . . Sunday Money felt like my story. Like Claire, I had an older brother who was draft bait. I had friends but always felt a little out of the loop. I was still in the band when all the other girls had moved on to pep club. College was just a word, a blurry concept, not anything concrete or expected. And then the nuns came through, told me I was college material. The college councilor (who worked only one morning a week) looked me in the eye and said the magic words: “Washington University. You can get a scholarship.” Life changed.
Sometimes when I like a book this much, I want a sequel. But not this time. This story ends exactly where it should. I know the rest.
Sunday Money felt like my story, and there’s a good chance that something about it is your story too.
Sometimes when I like a book this much, I want a sequel. But not this time. This story ends exactly where it should. I know the rest.
Sunday Money felt like my story, and there’s a good chance that something about it is your story too.
May 26, 2024
I got this book thanks to Booksparks book tours!
I originally said yes to this book because I’d recently read Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson that deals with a similar time, location, and topic of the 1970’s basketball craze taking place in New York during that time.
However beyond that, these stories are pretty different.
While this book deals with a lotttt of heavy topics (abusive family members, drug addiction, incarceration, alcoholism), the writing all felt very disjointed and detached and was hard for me to care about anything happening to the main character.
I loved the plot and the idea behind everything, but something just didn’t click for me while I was reading this book enough for me to thoroughly enjoy it more.
I originally said yes to this book because I’d recently read Remember Us by Jacqueline Woodson that deals with a similar time, location, and topic of the 1970’s basketball craze taking place in New York during that time.
However beyond that, these stories are pretty different.
While this book deals with a lotttt of heavy topics (abusive family members, drug addiction, incarceration, alcoholism), the writing all felt very disjointed and detached and was hard for me to care about anything happening to the main character.
I loved the plot and the idea behind everything, but something just didn’t click for me while I was reading this book enough for me to thoroughly enjoy it more.
September 17, 2024
Sunday Monday took me back to my youth, when basketball for girls was just becoming a thing, officially. I remember playing basketball in school with 'modifications' because we were girls and couldn't be expected to play like the boys. Oh my!
Clare is a good player with a lot of things going on her personal life and with her family, as well as working hard to improve her basketball skills. As she works to 'make the team' she also has to navigate everything else.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday Monday as it took me back in time but I also enjoyed watching Clare come into her own and work for what she wanted in life. This is labeled as a young adult story but it will also resonate with anyone who has struggled and persevered
Clare is a good player with a lot of things going on her personal life and with her family, as well as working hard to improve her basketball skills. As she works to 'make the team' she also has to navigate everything else.
I thoroughly enjoyed Sunday Monday as it took me back in time but I also enjoyed watching Clare come into her own and work for what she wanted in life. This is labeled as a young adult story but it will also resonate with anyone who has struggled and persevered
May 22, 2024
Sunday Money
Maggie Hill
This book really brings to life, life in the 70s. In this book you follow Claire Joyce, whose mom is an alcoholic, and her brothers get messed up in drugs. Now, I wasn’t around in the 70s, but from all the things I know about it, this seems like life, unfortunately. Claire’s one outlet is basketball. Not only is it her outlet, It’s her thing that she’s good at.
This book talks about some heavy subjects… Drugs, family dynamics, alcohol, sexism and poverty. You see Claire, overcome all the obstacles in her path to keep pushing for what she wants in life.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
Maggie Hill
This book really brings to life, life in the 70s. In this book you follow Claire Joyce, whose mom is an alcoholic, and her brothers get messed up in drugs. Now, I wasn’t around in the 70s, but from all the things I know about it, this seems like life, unfortunately. Claire’s one outlet is basketball. Not only is it her outlet, It’s her thing that she’s good at.
This book talks about some heavy subjects… Drugs, family dynamics, alcohol, sexism and poverty. You see Claire, overcome all the obstacles in her path to keep pushing for what she wants in life.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
November 10, 2023
A terrific story about young Claire Joyce whose passion is basketball at a time before Title IX made sports more accessible to young women. Claire has a mentor in her brother John, but turmoil in his life and the rest of sibling's lives makes for tough going. Through a clear and compelling voice, Claire seeks refuge in basketball, manages to transcend her circumstances and land those shots to earn a future for herself. A compelling coming of age story that leaves the reader wanting more from author Maggie Hill.
May 14, 2024
Claire’s journey is remarkable as the author does a fantastic job of touching on the topics of addiction and sexism splendidly. While this book isn’t for everyone, the theme of basketball resounds throughout. Claire has a tumultuous home life and basketball is her getaway. Her resilience is astonishing in the face of adversity. I grew up in the 70’s and was aware of much of the gender division. Those growing up later may find it somewhat uncomfortable - but I implore you to instead look at how far we’ve come - we do better when we know better.
February 8, 2024
Omg, I loved this book so much! The sparse but precise prose pulled me in right away, as did the sense of humor... Slowly but surely I came to care so deeply for each of the characters: even the "bad" and erratic ones. In one scene towards the end, I wept. And by the time I came to the last page, I knew that the book that I held in my hand was nothing short of an instant classic. I'll gladly reread it, and will recommend it to anyone.
February 9, 2024
Sunday Money by Maggie Hill, I loved this book so much. For me, the detail and descriptive prose felt like reading and watching a movie simultaneously. I loved every character and their relationship to each other. I cried to a friend when describing how I felt about the story. I can’t say enough about the writing. Maggie is an excellent story teller and her stories will touch your heart. A must read for anyone with a heart. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
April 15, 2024
What a total treasure of a book that sets us down us such a rich world full of complicated and real characters. The author gives us an unforgettable narrator full of heart and hope and then places her in a home where she is forced to be on guard at all times. The family relationships we are given here are both totally heartbreaking and full of hope and redemption. I loved the humor and the setting so much. I couldn't put it down and I know I will give it to many, many people.
July 21, 2024
Sunday money is a fantastic coming of age story filled with humor , sadness and joy. Having grown up in Brooklyn in the 70s, I felt so much nostalgia and was immediately drawn in by the strong characters, especially Claire. It’s both heartwarming and heartbreaking to watch her struggle to navigate her dysfunctional, but loving family and the competitive basketball world as a determined teen trying to find her place in the world. LOVED IT!
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