Bounce Back

Zayd Saleem, Chasing the Dream #3

by Hena Khan, Sally Wern Comport (Contributor)

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

Zayd has a plan. He’s ready to take the reins as team captain of the Gold Team.

But when an injury leaves him on the sidelines, his plans get derailed. Can Zayd learn what it means to be a leader if he’s not the one calling the shots?

Genres: Sports, Muslims, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Childrens

145 pages, Kindle Edition

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 3, Adam’s talk really helped boost Zayd's confidence and he's on fire on the court, thanks also to the new basketball hoop he and his parents went halfsies paying for. Maybe, just maybe Coach Wheeler will name Zayd team captain now. But as the team approaches the end of the season and looks forward to the playoffs and hoped-for-championship, Zayd has an accident on the court and ends up with a severely sprained ankle and no basketball for four weeks. Already feeling sorry for himself, he begins to feel jealous as he watches teammate Sam take over his spot and do a great job. When he starts skipping practice, Baba finally convinces him to start going again. Sitting on the bench, he can see exactly what the team does right and what it does wrong, especially Sam. Can Zayd put team over jealousy and say something to Sam? Meanwhile, Jamal Mamoo's wedding approaches and it is truly a family affair. But when Nana Abu has a heart attack, and falls into self-pity, it takes clever thinking by Zayd and sister Zara to get him up and moving again in time for the wedding. Jamal Mamoo's wedding offers a great introduction to Muslim festivities and traditions surrounding his pending marriage, and shows a family happily involved (maybe too much for Mamoo and Nadia Auntie, his fiancée) in all the preparations and the big day.

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.

[Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

2021 bk 298. What a fun, (dare I say it) wholesome book. In this age of casting Pakistanis and other members of the Islamic faith in a not so positive image - this story of basketball player Zayd Saleem shows that life is the same for any kid of his age who likes basketball. Injuries, weddings, worry over a grandfather's help, a desire to help his family, but yet be who he is leads this not-a-big sports fan to cheer over Zayd's pluckiness and energy. I loved it when Zayd and his sister get his father to exercise by walking to the park to teach them cricket, the details of the wedding of his uncle and how his attitude toward dancing changes. What a fun and quick read.

[AMY · Rating 4 out of 5]

131 pgs. Book three in the series is a tough one. There are two health issues going on in Zayd's family/life. He is finally moving along on the basketball team when he has to deal with a major setback. The author has selected great titles that truly speak about the determination and effort of the star player. This is a very well-written sports fiction, combined with family traditions. Zayd's cousin Jamal is getting married and the family is participating no matter what. Lots of Pakistani traditions are included. It is a great series, especially if you are adding more diversity to your collection or reading shelf. Highly recommended for Grades 4-5 - especially for boys.

[Maleeha Siddiqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a fun series and I'm so glad I read it! Zayd's journey is so relatable and Hena Khan did a spectacular job of pulling plot threads from beginning to the end. Together, the three books create a cohesive and well-rounded story of our little basketball player chasing his dream. Not to mention that the Pakistani representation is so relatable and the story is perfectly balanced between Zayd's school, family, and sports life without being too heavy-handed in any one area. Even if your kid isn't into sports, I highly recommend these books!

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and while it is more fun to follow Zayd from the very beginning, these can be read as stand-alones.

Zayd's basketball life is looking up. He has a brand new, straight hoop at home to practice with, and he has a real shot at becoming team captain. But when a misstep during practice ends with a sprained ankle four weeks of sitting out might be more than he can handle. To add to his troubles, his grandfather suffers a heart-attack and his entire family is on edge.

I'm liking this series more and more as it progresses. Zayd is a normal kid who loves basketball. It's his dream to become a star player, and he's doing everything he can to achieve it even though it's not an easy path. His disappointment at the injury is understandable and his frustration believable. The only thing which bugged me here was that he didn't attend practices during this period but sat on the couch. For those kids who were that interested in their team and the sport, this is unusual as they would still be on the sidelines following everything as much as possible. (The coach would even insist on it). But this is only a small issues which doesn't hurt the story.

The author does a great job of balancing Zayd's interest and troubles with basketball with real life. His family is close knit and adds a wonderful note to the court troubles. Zayd's care and concern for his grandparents and his way of handling it are heart-warming and very natural. It's a mix which makes him easy to identify with and a story which draws in book after book. The addition of his family's cultural difference also adds a nice dash of spice. The author builds these small details in so smoothly and naturally. I'm excited to see what happens to Zayd next.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed it so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Resilience, sport, culture, and family.

[Dina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading Bounce Back! It is a book that I think my students would like because I am often asked about fiction books with a sports theme. I particularly like this book because it utilizes diverse characters and cultural themes that many students may know little about. I also liked how the author used an injury to show that leadership can come from places other than the court! Thank you for this book!

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable quick read. I like how it’s realistic with the description of basketball games. It’s also got other issues going on in the main character’s life, such as sick grandparents. While the characters are Muslim, I love the way it’s just part of life. There’s no trauma or problems with the religion or culture, yet it’s very much a part of the book. A wonderful window into the life of someone who is Muslim. I think my students will like this.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great series continues to be great -- Zayd is injured, which is a total calamity, but also a really important thing for a sports series to tackle. How do you keep going when you can't fully participate? Are you still part of the team? How do you refrain from hurting yourself more because your heart is in it, even when your body is hurt?

Also, I totally loved Zayd's continued good advice to his older cousin -- if it's your wedding, make it yours. Stand up for the things that matter to you, and that will make your family happy as well. It's a great message, and it's well delivered. Love the Saleem family, can't wait for more adventures.

[Patti Sabik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly great quick read! Lots packed into this short book. I read book three without having read the first two and I picked it up fine, but it did make me want to read the first two. Deals with disappointment, leadership, finding your strengths, family, teamwork, and lots more. Great characters and I can only imagine they were built up more in the previous books. As a middle school librarian, I’d totally recommend to my students. At first glance, I’d thought them to be too young, but there is a wonderful story in there.

[Arhaan Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bounce back is the third book in the series Power Forward by award wining author Hena Khan. This book is good because it had more conflict with the main character Zayd. This was the best book in the series by far. If you read first two pages and you will already hooked to the book till the end.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't realize this was the third book in the series

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for striving middle grade readers who love books on friends and family with a sprinkling of basketball.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/3.6 stars

[Caden · Rating 5 out of 5]

it was good