On Point (2)

Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream #2

by Hena Khan, Sally Wern Comport (Illustrator)

From the critically acclaimed author of Amina’s Voice comes the second book in an exciting new middle grade series about a scrawny fourth-grader with big dreams of basketball stardom.

Now that Zayd has made the Gold Team, he’s hustling hard and loving every minute of the season.

But when the team starts to struggle, Zayd can’t help wondering if it has something to do with him. Even worse, his best friend Adam suddenly starts acting like he doesn’t care about basketball anymore, even though they are finally teammates. He stops playing basketball with Zayd at recess and starts hanging out with other kids. Then, Adam up and quits the Gold Team to play football instead.

While his uncle’s wedding preparations turn life into a circus at home, Zayd is left on his own to figure things out. He has to decide how to still be friends with Adam and step up to fill the empty shoes he left on the court. Does Zayd have what it takes to be on point and lead his team back to victory?

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Childrens, Juvenile, Basketball, Muslims, Middle Grade

144 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2018

About the author

Hena Khan writes books in a multitude of formats, including picture books, middle grade fiction, pick-your-path adventures, and graphic novels. Her stories are often centered around community, friendship, and family, and draw from her own experiences and culture. Hena’s novels include AMINA'S VOICE, MORE TO THE STORY, and DRAWING DEENA. She is the author of the Zayd Saleem Chasing the Dream, Zara’s Rules, and Super You! series. Hena’s picture books include GOLDEN DOMES AND SILVER LANTERNS, UNDER MY HIJAB, and IT'S RAMADAN, CURIOUS GEORGE, among others.

Reviews

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is nothing like the comfort that comes from knowing that the character you have just met in a book will be back in subsequent books. One of our favorite series is the Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream trilogy by Hena Khan. These three chapter books are wonderful sports stories that are ideal for kids ready to move on from easy readers to longer, more complex stories, or even for reluctant early middle school readers. They are clearly written, narrated in the first person by the protagonist, the issues are age appropriate, and they are diverse. Yes, the Pakistani American Saleems - Baba, Mama, older sister Zara, Naano (grandmother), Nana Abu (grandfather), and Jamal Mamoo (uncle) - are a Muslim family, but this is also a basketball story. The Saleem's culture and religion are a big part of Zayd's family life, and readers are given a nice window into what that is like, but most of the conflicts and challenges he faces are the kind that any kid might be confronted with at that age, both within the family and in the outside world.

In Book 2, Zayd does manage to get to the gold team tryouts and he's finally part of this winning basketball team. Except, they aren't such a winning team anymore - they've lost their first two games and now Zayd's best friend and teammate is starting to play football with some other guys. Zayd is afraid that Adam may be blaming him for the games the team has lost. When Adam stops coming to practice and playing on the team altogether, Zayd worries that Coach Wheeler will also think that's his fault. But then, Coach Wheeler has him play point guard, Adam's usual position. Not feeling particularly confident in his new position, the team loses yet again. Meanwhile, Jamal Mamoo and the family are busy making wedding plans and Zayd is indeed feeling abandoned by his favorite uncle. These wedding plans offer readers a further window into Muslim culture and religion, but this time with lots of wonderful mouth-watering food descriptions thrown in (which means a trip to Sahadi's in Brooklyn for me). But when Adam has to stay over at Zayd's house, the two friends have a really serious talk. Can Adam help Zayd get past comparing himself on the court to Adam and become a great player in his own right?

I loved this trilogy and was sorry to say goodbye to Zayd and his family. Khan did a great job of seamlessly weaving in so many details about Zayd's life as a member of a Muslim family, while also showing that other aspects of their lives are similar to all families. I especially like how Zayd's budding maturity over the three books was depicted by his ability to incorporate the lessons he learned about good sportsmanship into his life off the court.

[Maleeha Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great continuation of the Zayd Saleem: Chasing the Dream series. I enjoyed reading about Zayd's story as he is now playing on the gold team. Hena Khan did a fantastic job of weaving plot points from the first book into the second one. It all felt very natural. Again, the school/family/sports life balance was just perfect, in my opinion. Can't wait to read the final book!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Basketball on and off the court take on exciting twists in a novel for sport fans.

Zayd is now on the team, just where he always hoped to be. But nothing's going quite like he expected it would. The team's unbeatable season the year before seems like a forgotten dream as they lose game after game. To make matters worse, Adam, the team captain and best player, is thinking about switching to football. Zayd finds himself lost as all others begin to look to him for direction. But then, even his family seems to be doing odd things with the wedding coming up.

I did read the first book in the series and suggest starting with it before hitting this one, since much of the character grounding happens in book one.

Zayd's enthusiasm dies quickly in this book and his disappointment is tangible. He never comes across as a whiner either. Zayd is simply at a loss and insecure now that the coach expects more from him. The emotions are real without being over-emphasized, and it's something kids will easily identify with. Especially when it comes to the problems with his best friend, as Adam chooses a different road. There's a lot changing, and it's exactly this which the book looks at.

The author does a nice job at balancing Zayd's family life with his sport one, while building in a wonderful parallel. While Zayd is having trouble in his new leading position, his uncle is having similar problems when it comes to the wedding organization. It's a clear message without feeling preachy.

Like in the first book, the basketball moments come across smoothly and spot on. Zayd is in the game as any boy his age would be. The traditions of the Pakistani wedding also fall subtly in along the sidelines, giving the story a nice flair while gently informing the reader about the culture.

In other words, this is again an interesting read sport fans are sure to enjoy, and the short length makes it easy to read.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this enough to want to leave my honest thoughts.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was excited to see a digital ARC by Hena Khan offered by Edelweiss Plus as she has a 2018-19 Texas Bluebonnet Award nominee and it is my habit to have a variety of books by authors who earn on spot on that book list. On Point is a basketball themed book targeted at the 3rd-6th grade student who steers towards a quicker to read chapter book but has moved a bit past the ever-popular Jake Maddox sports books. Zayd is a fourth grader on an elite basketball team with his best friend Adam. Unfortunately, the team isn’t doing so well, his friend is looking at switching to football, and his family is consumed with wedding plans for his uncle. The plot pieces are great and there are positive lessons on working hard to achieve goals and speaking up for yourself. Khan brings her Pakistani heritage into this series and libraries looking to add ethnic diversity to their collections may want to consider this series. I hope that in future Zayd books that the author gives us more context in order comprehend some of the unfamiliar words such as a “desi” celebration, “Asalaamualaikum,” and “Inshallah” that are liberally sprinkled throughout. This one will be a “maybe” on the consideration list for my libraries.

[Dan Marfise · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the series about Zayd, the Pakistani-American boy who dreams of playing in the NBA. If you did not read the first book in the series, I strongly suggest you start there. There are a lot of plot points and names in this book that come from the first one. So do not read these out of order.
In this book we see Zayd now on the gold team trying his best, while also being a part of a big wedding celebration for his Uncle Jamal. When Zayd’s friend Adam starts playing more football and ignoring his basketball team Zayd decides to step up and be a captain for his basketball team.
This helps Zayd realize that the wedding needs a captain to help lead the decision-making process to prepare for the big event.
This book does a great job of showing how sports and family life of a kid can all weave together and parallel each other. How children sports team can help prepare you for the real world. Along with the real emotion that occurs when you do not win every game like you plan.
Just like the weaving of family life and basketball this book does a great job of mixing the Pakistani culture with the American culture. I would recommend this book for middle grade students who are also experiencing the blending of different cultures in their own lives.

[Jarrett Lerner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A second installment every bit as excellent as the first. Hena Khan perfectly balances family scenes, friendship struggles, and fast-paced basketball action, and her clever, careful use of metaphor creates accessible layers of meaning and depth. Can’t wait for Book 3! 💛📚🏀

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This quick read continues Zayd's story. His favorite uncle is getting married, his sister is becoming a teenager, and his best friend is acting weird. Can he take a leadership role on his basketball team? Satisfying character growth and specific cultural markers, but is the plot too thin?

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy these stories -- it was so nice to get to catch up with the Saleem family and hear more of their story. The wedding sounds like a wild ride, and it's interesting to see Zayd become a more confident basketball player.

[Carmen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the real friendships and wonderful family moments in this story!

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

131 pgs. Book two in the series features a situation where Zayd's friend Adam no longer wants to play basketball. It gives Zayd an opportunity to step up into a more demanding position. His cousin is getting married and there are scenes of the family interactions during the planning phase. It is a good solid book for boys. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5.

[Arhaan Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is part two of POWER FORWARD series by Hena Khan. I loved it as much as power forward. This time Zayd needs to find courage to take the place of his friend Adam for Point Guard. He also has trouble when his Uncle gets married. Read this book now.

-Arhaan Shaikh-

[Caden]

it was good

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Amy Seufert · Rating 4 out of 5]

KCR book!