Janae

Blacktop #2

by L.J. Alonge, Raúl Allén (Illustrations)

A street smart, action-packed basketball series from debut author LJ Alonge.

The second title in LJ Alonge's basketball series explodes with action as the crew takes on a new set of competitors. Shots are missed, tempers flare, and winning takes on a whole new meaning.

Genres: Sports, Young Adult, Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Fiction

144 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 7, 2016

Reviews

[Corrine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the dialogue and the main characters of this book as well as showcasing the difficulties of a teen trying to balance their future and what's going on in the present and I can't wait until I get my hands on the rest of the series. The only problems I had was that the ending seemed rushed and muddled as well as how the author wrote how Janae views "girly" girls, not bothering to give her sisters names or even differentiating them, writing them talking in unison, and treating them as one-dimensional was just extremely insulting and lazy writing.

[Chelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janae's home is the basketball court, where she dominates the boys. Her grandmother has different expectations for her, though. Will Janae follow her dream, or will she be knocked down one too many times?

This has much better development than Justin did! Janae kicks butt on the court but struggles with an unsupportive family and a tough new coach, both of which are very relatable. Janae also works better as a stand-alone title, as it feels a lot more settled by the end.

[Logan Buffo · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is a good book janae lives in Oakland California and love to play basketball. She works at her granny’s strange goods superstore selling lucky rabbits feet and other useless junk she finds around. She has a big game against one of the best around the city and everybody is their to see it.

[Sydney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting story.

[Brandon · Rating 3 out of 5]

it was intresting

[Liam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the book Blacktop by Lj Alonge. I decided to choose this book because it's about basketball and I like basketball. The author likely wrote this book to show that girls can play basketball well too.
This book was mostly about a girl basketball player playing with a boys team and also struggles a lot with things outside of school and in her hometown. At the beginning, Janaes granny does not believe in her that she can be good at a boys sport and also Janae plays a game verse a bald guy and she lost 2 times but he invited her to tryout for the bay area ballers and they Ucla, Uconn, Tennessee and many other good teams. But granny does not want her to go because he needs her to help work in the shop.
. Towards the middle of the book Janae makes the team and struggles with a non supportive family and a couch that is very tough on her. I don’t want to give away the ending, but you should know that Janae is not a quitter and will not give up basketball_.

I liked how this book was written because it included a lot of mood swings and emotions. A line from the book that highlights this style of writing is “ I shouldn't have quit basketball. It's just a game Janae, No its not granny! My tears are falling onto her feet. “ (pg.114-115 ). This line captures this writing style because its shows Janaes emotion and going from happy to crying and sad and shows her love for the game. This book is similar to sandlot because Benjamin shows a lot of passion for the game of baseball and would be really sad if he couldn't play one day.. Another reason I liked this book is because it was kind of cool how she was a girl and could still keep up with and be better than boys. You should read this book if you like basketball and stories about overcoming challenges.

[Nissim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read the first book in this series by L.J. Alonge I knew what this book would be like. It's a quick enjoyable read, especially for anyone who enjoys sports or competing. The main character Janae takes the role of a talented young basketball player but struggles in her home life. Since she's a talented basketball player and a girl playing a male dominated sport she has extra motivation and drive to show the boys that she's just as good if not better. Alonge also does a good job of what it's like for a teenager who's committed to a sport to balance that with her family and social life. I'd definitely recommend it.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this book for the first time I didn’t really know what to expect other than it was going to be about sports, I the book the main character goes by the name of Janae and she is a basketball player that plays on a male basketball team, She also struggles outside of school with her home town. In the book Janae goes through a lot of emotions making you want to read more and more and see whats going to happen, I think that the author did a great job putting all of these feelings into her life style, and where she grew up and what she goes through, I really do recommend this book because it will keep you wondering whats going to happen next.

[Ellison · Rating 3 out of 5]

nubile works at grand mother thrift shop and hustles grip on basketball court. she attends a try out and is dismissed. she returns to her bedroom to pout. her twin sistas dress he up like a doll and she lives as a party grl, to exhaustion, then reconsiders. some swearing.

[Ash · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book even more than the first. This is a really good series and I can't wait to pick up the next book.

[Emarion Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was cool I enjoyed it. Wish it was like the first one a little bit.

[Vanessa Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Blacktop, Janae, by LJ Alonge is a very good book. When reading this book they have a lot of details that make you picture some kind of picture in your head.
Janae is a girl who works at her granny’s Strange Goods Superstore selling useless junk. In the night she sneaks out to play basketball with her boys, Justin, Frank, Adrian and Mike. Janae has a lot of different mood swings that will have you asking why does she do that but will make you want to keep reading the book to see what she decides to do, that’s why I like this book. I really like this book because it’s very catchy. I really do suggest you to read this book, it’s a very interesting book that will make you keep wanting to read!

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this series would be a good read-alike for The Crossover. It's slightly more grown up content-wise, and not in verse, but many of the story beats feel like a good match. Great writing too.

[Anna Lawrence]

Awesome second book in the Blacktop series from new author, L. J. Alonge!