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Fred Bowen Sports Story Series
Outside Shot
Looking for baseball action? Check out this Sports Story Series book from Washington Post KidsPost columnist and author Fred Bowen – perfect for fans of Mike Lupica and Tim Green. “Smartly using sports terminology and internal monologue from the protagonist’s point of view, this latest novel is bound to engage and entertain young readers who double as basketball players and/or fans. VERDICT A must-purchase…” ― School Library Journal Richie Mallon is known as “the shooter”―the one on the team who scores most of the baskets. Every day he practices at his driveway hoop, perfecting his technique. Richie never plays any other roles on the court, leaving it to his teammates to do the assisting and rebounding. Under a new coach, Richie makes the team but isn’t given a starting position. So when his shooting skills fall into a slump, can he find a way to become a better-rounded player and stay on the team? Bowen returns with another fast-paced story of sports, teamwork, and talent. The afterword offers real-life stories about some of the great shooters in basketball history. Discussion Guide available.
133 pages, Hardcover
Published March 1, 2017
16 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Fred Bowen
57 books26 followersFred Bowen is the author of Peachtree’s popular Fred Bowen Sports Story and All-Star Sport Story series. A lifelong sports fanatic, he has coached youth league baseball, basketball, and soccer. His kids’ sports column “The Score” appears each week in the KidsPost section of the Washington Post. Bowen lives in Maryland.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 9, 2019
I really liked it! I recommend this book for anyone into sports that is looking for a fun read.
July 26, 2017
Do you need that perfect book for the junior high sports interested student? After reading OUTSIDE SHOT, I have no doubt that any of the sports books written by Fred Bowen will be a hit! Woven into the story is tidbits about current superstar Steph Curry, basketball mechanics, and successful basketball strategies. It is a simple, short book so reluctant readers will be drawn to it and then find a great story. Richie Mallon is the eighth grade sharp shooter in basketball. This is what he lives for. When the season starts, he finds himself on the bench and not a starter. HE goes in early, does well his first game, and continues to get key minutes throughout the season, but his shooting drops into a slump. The female manager gives him some advice about becoming a complete player. Steph Curry is a great shooter, but he also passes well. She helps him discover his need to be a rebounder, passer, and defender, and a TEAM player. Enhancing my interest in the story is that the author spent time with a state championship coach watching his practices and drills. I appreciate a book which is true to the sport and the author knows the correct strategies and situations to make the story come alive. Readers will appreciate this and a great story.
I received this book from the publishers as part of Region 11 School Librarians Review Group. That in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
I received this book from the publishers as part of Region 11 School Librarians Review Group. That in no way influenced my opinion of this book.
November 19, 2019
Book Title: Outside Shot
Author/Illustrator: Fred Bowen
Reading Level: 3.9
Book Level: 3rd -7th
Book Summary: Richie Mallon has always been known as the shooter. Now that he has a tough new coach will he still be the team shooter or will he have to expand his horizons.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization – This book is in chronological order from starting right before basketball tryouts. Richie is use to being the team shooter, but with a tougher new coach he is worried that being the shooter won’t be enough. As the book goes on, he grows as a player and realizes that it takes more than just being the shooter. After reading this together as a class, have students write about the next basketball season for Richie. Did he keep growing or did he fall back into old habits.
Voice – The story is told from Richie, an eight-grade student, point of view. It is relate-able for this age group to read and feel what he is feeling. Have students write about a time that they felt they knew all they needed to know about something, but then learned to grow. Tell them to write in their own voice or first-person point of view. Have students share that would like to share.
Author/Illustrator: Fred Bowen
Reading Level: 3.9
Book Level: 3rd -7th
Book Summary: Richie Mallon has always been known as the shooter. Now that he has a tough new coach will he still be the team shooter or will he have to expand his horizons.
Bookshelf Mentor Writing Traits:
Organization – This book is in chronological order from starting right before basketball tryouts. Richie is use to being the team shooter, but with a tougher new coach he is worried that being the shooter won’t be enough. As the book goes on, he grows as a player and realizes that it takes more than just being the shooter. After reading this together as a class, have students write about the next basketball season for Richie. Did he keep growing or did he fall back into old habits.
Voice – The story is told from Richie, an eight-grade student, point of view. It is relate-able for this age group to read and feel what he is feeling. Have students write about a time that they felt they knew all they needed to know about something, but then learned to grow. Tell them to write in their own voice or first-person point of view. Have students share that would like to share.
June 15, 2017
Bowen, Fred Outside Shot,131 pages. Peachtree Publishers, 2017, $7. Language: G: (0 swears, 0 f words); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.
Outside Shot is about Richie Mallon who is a cocky 8th grader who is the best shooter on the team. After getting into a shooting slump Richie must learn to do more than just shoot the ball. After grumpily learning to do other than scoring he starts to become a better all- around player and earns his spot as starter on the basketball team.
I think Outside Shot is a good quick read. I liked the book was so relatable to real life and you could connect to the book very easily. I think a lot of people should read this because it helps you realise that a lot of people seem perfect but actually make a lot of mistakes but hide them by practicing. I gave it a PG rating because it is kid friendly and does not graphically describe bad stuff.
MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CN
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
Outside Shot is about Richie Mallon who is a cocky 8th grader who is the best shooter on the team. After getting into a shooting slump Richie must learn to do more than just shoot the ball. After grumpily learning to do other than scoring he starts to become a better all- around player and earns his spot as starter on the basketball team.
I think Outside Shot is a good quick read. I liked the book was so relatable to real life and you could connect to the book very easily. I think a lot of people should read this because it helps you realise that a lot of people seem perfect but actually make a lot of mistakes but hide them by practicing. I gave it a PG rating because it is kid friendly and does not graphically describe bad stuff.
MS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CN
http://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017/...
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May 14, 2018My book review is on Outside Shot (Fred Bowen). An eighth grader by the name of Richie Mallon is a point guard basketball. More importantly, he is good at shooting the ball. He goes out for the basketball team and makes it, but it wasn’t easy. He has a very tough coach. Not exactly what he wants, he ends up being a bench player. But he doesn't complain because he is just happy to be on the team. Richie goes through some struggles while in the season but ends up a all-around great point guard that can shoot, pass, dribble, and get rebounds for his team.
I think the theme is like a never give up theme and always work hard, Because a young boy from a small town works hard and never gives up to become a good shooter and a good team player.
I would recommend this book to readers because it’s motivating and it talks about never giving up will give you success not just in basketball, but in life in general.
I think the theme is like a never give up theme and always work hard, Because a young boy from a small town works hard and never gives up to become a good shooter and a good team player.
I would recommend this book to readers because it’s motivating and it talks about never giving up will give you success not just in basketball, but in life in general.
April 7, 2019
This book was an enjoyable quick read. I did not give it a higher rating only because it was very predictable. Everything seemed to always work out. If the author would have added just a few twists and turns, I would have then gave it a higher rating. The book did keep me engaged though, and there were a lot of good lessons the author was trying to teach. The main character Richie starts out as a "shooter," and he is a very good scorer for his basketball team. However, as the season goes on her realizes there is much more to the game than just being a shooter. As he matures in his thinking, he matures as a basketball player and teammate. The end of the book also provides some factual information about famous "shooters" and shows how these individuals were much more than just scorers as well.
July 1, 2018
Richie is obsessed with being the shooter, or the person in basketball who scores the most. This focus has impacted all of his other skills making him a less than mediocre ball player. Through this novel, he learns the importance of being a well-rounded backetballer, even when you are especially good at one skill. The book then ties the storyline to read-world instances of shooters, as well as their other related skills.
There isn't much plot to this book. It is very simplistic. It certainly brings in sporting concepts. However, I believe it is through these techniques that the author is able to reach struggling readers. These aren't baby books, and they don't make the reader feel dumb. It is a way to bring atypical readers into the fold.
There isn't much plot to this book. It is very simplistic. It certainly brings in sporting concepts. However, I believe it is through these techniques that the author is able to reach struggling readers. These aren't baby books, and they don't make the reader feel dumb. It is a way to bring atypical readers into the fold.
November 1, 2019
The book is called outside shot. Its by Fred Bowen. The book is about a kid named Richie Mallon. He practices all the time. He practices the the basics everyday. He ain't a starter. But he is pretty good to be one.
This author is good at making books. He knows how to make you jump out of your chair and hype you up. ̈ ̈The crowd is chanting now, three…...two…… I know if have to shoot right away. There ́s no time to think or be nervous. The ball is in the air a split second after it touches my hands . The buzzer sounds flies through the air. It feels like everyone in the gym- the coaches, the players, the people in the stands- is holding their breath as the ball acres down, wondering whether the shot will be good. But the shooter already knows. Swish!
I recommend this book it's good. The book was confusing at all unless you don't like basketball than you prolly won't get it. It wasn't too hard or too easy to read. I did like the ending. I made connections with Richie, he likes basketball and so do I.
This author is good at making books. He knows how to make you jump out of your chair and hype you up. ̈ ̈The crowd is chanting now, three…...two…… I know if have to shoot right away. There ́s no time to think or be nervous. The ball is in the air a split second after it touches my hands . The buzzer sounds flies through the air. It feels like everyone in the gym- the coaches, the players, the people in the stands- is holding their breath as the ball acres down, wondering whether the shot will be good. But the shooter already knows. Swish!
I recommend this book it's good. The book was confusing at all unless you don't like basketball than you prolly won't get it. It wasn't too hard or too easy to read. I did like the ending. I made connections with Richie, he likes basketball and so do I.
Currently reading
May 21, 2021Richie falls in love with the game of basketball as a child. He grew up shooting and loves shooting. He always wanted to be the shooter on his team. He really impressed coach with his shooting but at the end of the day thats all he could do. He was later taught the whole game of basketball and learned to be a team player. He learned that there is more to the game than shooting.
June 10, 2018
Sports fiction, great for the reluctant reader interested in basketball - not too long and lots of authentic sports references with a few side stories of family, friendship, and sportsmanship thrown in.
December 19, 2018
Richie Mallon loves basketball and is a amazing shooter, but that is his only contribution to the team. Gradually he learns more about teamwork and to play the whole game. This short book has plenty of action and a good message for aspiring young players.
September 20, 2019
I really liked this book and if you like basketball or just enjoy reading about sports this would be a great book for you. I like basketball a lot and would recommand it to any sports player. I am not a big reader but i really enjoyed this book. A really easy read if you are looking for a good easy read. I read this book in about a week and a half but i also had a different book that i was reading so most people could read it way faster than that.
November 14, 2018
It was a good book. If you like sports like basketball I would read it.
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February 25, 2019My 8 year old really loved this one.
July 25, 2019
Quick read that will pull in sports fans that love play-by-play action. Good message, too!
October 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this book because it had a lot of action to the story. Some parts of the story were really funny. I also love playing basketball.
October 2, 2022
Read this because I am a teacher looking for a book on basketball for a fifth grade boy. This is ok. Predictable but probably relatable for a fifth grade boy obsessed with sports.
December 28, 2019
I read this for my daughter’s 5th grade book club. It’s a simple story, but was a good easy read for kids, with a lesson in it about being a team player. Any kid that loves sports would probably enjoy reading this. Bonus section at the end that gives some interesting facts about the history of basketball and some current stats of current players like Stephen Curry. I think it’s a bit “young” for fifth graders, probably more 2nd-4th grade. I’ll update once we have the book club to see what the kids rate it!
May 18, 2020
This book taught me that you don't have to be the main person, or in Richie's case, the shooter. He is so used to being the shooter that when he looses his shot he has to learn that the ballgame is not all about the baskets.
April 6, 2017
Full review to be posted soon.
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November 16, 2018I like t because it has basketball
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January 24, 2019An eighth grade boy, by the name of Richie Mallon, has worked on the basics of basketball his whole life. He has always been known for his shooting,especially his jump shot. He has practiced driving to the basket pretty much during all his free time. He is extremely nervous because he is going into tryouts under a really good and tough coach. He is hoping that his amazing jump shot and his amazing abilities to drive to the basket will be enough for him to make the team this year.
I think that this a really good book for kids who like sports, especially basketball. I also think that this is a good inspirational book for all kids who are nervous about making a basketball team because sports are 90% mental and 10% physical.
I think that this book is very inspiring, uplifting, and a motivationing book about basketball. I would recommend this book to kids that like playing basketball and that have worked really hard for what they want to achieve.
I think that this a really good book for kids who like sports, especially basketball. I also think that this is a good inspirational book for all kids who are nervous about making a basketball team because sports are 90% mental and 10% physical.
I think that this book is very inspiring, uplifting, and a motivationing book about basketball. I would recommend this book to kids that like playing basketball and that have worked really hard for what they want to achieve.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews