One on One

by Don Aker

All 11-year-old Jared St. George can think about is making his school basketball team. What Jared refuses to think about is math, and the fact that he’s failing it. The problem is tough: a poor math grade plus an unsympathetic coach equals no basketball team. Jared’s only hope is peer tutoring from Ellie Brejovic, the weirdo classmate whom everyone teases. To his surprise, Ellie makes math make sense, except that Jared would rather admit to cheating than let the guys know about her. Turns out that’s the really big mistake, one that could cost Jared not just a spot on the team, but something far more valuable.

One on One

is Don Aker’s new novel for middle readers, a story that taps into the classic "making the team" dilemma with authentic characters, intelligent plotting and terrific writing. Kids who live to play basketball will love this book; kids who live to read will love it too.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Sports

208 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Born in 1955 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Don Aker grew up in rural Hants County. He later attended Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts (1976), Bachelor of Education (1977), and Master of Education (1991) degrees. He has been a classroom teacher since 1977, and he currently works as Literacy Mentor for the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board. The father of two daughters, he lives in Middleton, Nova Scotia, with his wife, who is his "first editor."

Don began writing in 1988 after taking a course for language arts teachers at the Martha's Vineyard Summer Writing Workshops in Massachusetts, where educators were encouraged to write along with their students. Since then, he has published 13 books and numerous shorter pieces, consulted on several projects for publishers of educational materials, conducted a variety of workshops on teaching and writing, and given readings across Canada. He is a member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS), the Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC), the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC), The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP), and PEN Canada.

Reviews

[Lindsay Cormier · Rating 4 out of 5]

YES i read this in one day after finding it on a bookshelf at my parents house NO i am not accepting judgment. a classic story of middle school basketball and math. the comments about the main character, who is 11 years old, being attractive are really weird when you are not also an 11 year old reader

[Melanie Au · Rating 3 out of 5]

is thrilled to make it on the school basketball team. But the coach tells him he'll have to leave the team unless his math grades improve. To help him with his studies, is paired with the school geek for study sessions. themes: overcoming prejudices and stereotypes, sports.

[Joyce · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good story--definitely pitched to intermediate grades

[Andréa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like basketball, but I really enjoyed this book. Realistic characters, although some stereotypes of teenagers. A little twist at the end! I will recommend this to my students.