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Life, Love, and the Pursuit of Free Throws
Going head-to-head with your best friend is never easy, on the court or off. Josie loves hottie Ethan Lancaster, the captain of the basketball team, but she never can do or say the right thing in front of him. So how can it be fair that Ethan is only interested in her best friend, Cami, when Cami isn't even trying for his affection? Or is she? Cami dreams of winning her basketball team's coveted MVP award, and earning the chance to take the court during a special halftime demonstration with WNBA star Rebecca Lobo, but her best friend, Josie, is a better player. So how can it be fair that Josie is a shoo-in for the honor if she is barely interested in basketball in the first place and isn't even trying to be the best? Or is she?
185 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2004
61 people are currently reading
533 people want to read
About the author
Janette Rallison
75 books2,003 followersCheck out my awesome book trailers!
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
My Unfair Godmother:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AlRg0...
My Fair Godmother: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=up1jF8...
Just One Wish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oP1Nce...
My Double Life
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hzuswp...
Janette Rallison has five children who keep her well supplied with plot ideas, sometimes even making cameo appearances in her novels. She likes to write romantic comedy because there is enough angst in real life, but theres a drastic shortage on both humor and romance.
Playing the Field was named Society of School Librarians International Best Book Award Honor Book, and both Alls Fair In Love, War, and High School and Love, Life, and the Pursuit of Free Throws were included on YALSAs Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults list. Fame Glory, and Other Things on My To Do List, was just chosen for IRAs YA Choices list for 2007
"
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
June 5, 2011
Another dual point of view book! Cami and Josie have been best friends forever, but Ethan comes between them. This affects not only their friendship (and their families since they've all been carpooling and friendly for years), but the basketball team they both play on. Both of them want the team MVP honor, since that person is going to get to play with Rebecca Lobo of the WNBA at an upcoming game, but they have to get their teamwork together and their heads on straight if either of them is going to have a real shot at this. Light and fun, but it also deals with jealousy and getting a friendship through a few rocky places.
February 10, 2018
Fun little high school book about some freshmen girls who play basketball and both like the same boy. I liked the characters, especially the unexpected ones who helped the girls learn to be more accepting and kind to everyone. Seemed fairly realistic to real high school behavior, while still being a nice, clean book.
Prereading for my daughter.
Prereading for my daughter.
July 3, 2008
Good message for tweens about the importance of friendships. I keep buying her books for my girls. When they reach that age, I want something clean and fun for them to read.
October 21, 2018
Janette Rallison been kind of a hit and miss author for me. But her humour is like no other and keep me coming back for more
Unfortunately this one just doesn't cut it at all
Unfortunately this one just doesn't cut it at all
March 18, 2016
Genre:relationships, sports, high school
Summary: Cami and Josie are BFF's (and yes, the acronym accurately describes their relationship. They are very similar, finish each other sentences, and crush on the same boy. (They are both on the school's basketball team) Cami flirts with him and breaks Josie's heart. They have a verbal duel during the poetry unit in English. They find other people to be friends with. Josie becomes somewhat buddy buddy with Frederick, her acidic science project partner, Cami does likewise with her crazy ESP science project partner. Their fight continues until the biggest game of the season, they are left stranded at a gas station. While they are waiting for someone to save them, they make up and are BFF's once again. Frederick, Josie's acerbic science partner, has a friend (note, attractive) that saves the day and the girls by getting them to the game on time. Josie's happy, the girls are friends again and everything is wonderful again.
Response: Classic high school drama. I tried interviewing my younger sister to see if girls really did fight over the same boys. Apparently, they do! So this story wasn't too far outside the bounds of reality. It was just a silly fun read. I wasn't a jock during high school, still not, so it is a different experience trying to relate with these girls. Still, they have feelings too, so it was not horrible. But it definitely doesn't earn any quality awards. There are much better books out there. This was just good filler stuff. I would recommend it to girls that are in the same situation as the protagonists. Again, not too challenging.
Summary: Cami and Josie are BFF's (and yes, the acronym accurately describes their relationship. They are very similar, finish each other sentences, and crush on the same boy. (They are both on the school's basketball team) Cami flirts with him and breaks Josie's heart. They have a verbal duel during the poetry unit in English. They find other people to be friends with. Josie becomes somewhat buddy buddy with Frederick, her acidic science project partner, Cami does likewise with her crazy ESP science project partner. Their fight continues until the biggest game of the season, they are left stranded at a gas station. While they are waiting for someone to save them, they make up and are BFF's once again. Frederick, Josie's acerbic science partner, has a friend (note, attractive) that saves the day and the girls by getting them to the game on time. Josie's happy, the girls are friends again and everything is wonderful again.
Response: Classic high school drama. I tried interviewing my younger sister to see if girls really did fight over the same boys. Apparently, they do! So this story wasn't too far outside the bounds of reality. It was just a silly fun read. I wasn't a jock during high school, still not, so it is a different experience trying to relate with these girls. Still, they have feelings too, so it was not horrible. But it definitely doesn't earn any quality awards. There are much better books out there. This was just good filler stuff. I would recommend it to girls that are in the same situation as the protagonists. Again, not too challenging.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 24, 2014
At first I really didn't care for this book at all because of the main character, Cami. She was insecure and jealous of her friend, Josie, for reasons that Josie had absolutely no control over. Josie is pretty, Josie has a bigger family than I do I, Josie is better at basketball than I am....um, I'm sorry but grow up. She was whiny and mean and childish and over all, in my opinion, a really bad friend. Meanwhile Josie could have been a little less obsessed with her crush, Ethan, but was over all a great friend to Cami. So how does Cami repay this friendship? By talking and flirting with Ethan behind Josie's back. Now don't get me wrong, I don't think it was Cami's fault that Ethan 'liked' her, but the fact that she absolutely knew how much of a betrayal that was to Josie, and she still knowingly did it anyway? That was where my big problem came in. A true friend would have let her know about her feelings and what was going on before everything blew up.
Admittedly I figured out what Ethan was up to way early in the game, and I really didn't love the way Josie reacted when she found out that Cami had been spending time talking to Ethan, but it was fine. The second half of this novel was all pretty predictable and everything was wrapped up in a tidy little bow, and hand delivered with a side of new, cute love interest, but it still held my attention and I did like the ending. Aside from the several spelling errors and my extreme dislike for Cami for the first half if the book, I did end up liking it enough that I would try something else from this author.
Admittedly I figured out what Ethan was up to way early in the game, and I really didn't love the way Josie reacted when she found out that Cami had been spending time talking to Ethan, but it was fine. The second half of this novel was all pretty predictable and everything was wrapped up in a tidy little bow, and hand delivered with a side of new, cute love interest, but it still held my attention and I did like the ending. Aside from the several spelling errors and my extreme dislike for Cami for the first half if the book, I did end up liking it enough that I would try something else from this author.
March 29, 2016
3.5, but I will round up because I loved the lessons portrayed in the novel.
Romance, YA, clean.
Some youthful situations that are complicated. Trying to be the best you can be, but also looking out for friends, and watching out for a nemesis. The situations were interesting how they resolved and came together. The complications with school, friendship, idols, crushes, adversaries, and school work that came together with a fun conclusion at the end. I loved the romantic interest that was the chess friend's connection! It was such a fun conclusion to the romantic issues. Being kind to others and getting to know them was a great lesson that naturally evolved from a place where frustration and doubt began the situation. Perfect and fun that as they had friendship problems, and they tried to go on with life that these came together to pull them back to each other. Loved it!
Romance, YA, clean.
Some youthful situations that are complicated. Trying to be the best you can be, but also looking out for friends, and watching out for a nemesis. The situations were interesting how they resolved and came together. The complications with school, friendship, idols, crushes, adversaries, and school work that came together with a fun conclusion at the end. I loved the romantic interest that was the chess friend's connection! It was such a fun conclusion to the romantic issues. Being kind to others and getting to know them was a great lesson that naturally evolved from a place where frustration and doubt began the situation. Perfect and fun that as they had friendship problems, and they tried to go on with life that these came together to pull them back to each other. Loved it!
July 30, 2017
Josie and Cami have been best friends for years, but their friendship is put to the test when each has a chance to get what the other wants most. Josie has a huge crush on Ethan but doesn't know how to talk to him; Cami, on the other hand, finds that talking to Ethan isn't that hard for her. what Cami wants most is a chance to meet her favorite basketball player, Rebecca Lobo, but their coach is going to pick the team's MVP to meet her--and Josie is the team's high scorer.
A quick read about friendship, this book doesn't have a ton of substance, but for readers looking for something light and clean, this is a good choice.
A quick read about friendship, this book doesn't have a ton of substance, but for readers looking for something light and clean, this is a good choice.
October 11, 2014
10/10/14 - Bumping this up to 4 stars this time around. Not sure why I didn't enjoy it as much back in 2010, but it made me laugh again so hard I was crying. (Probably because the dresser part reminded me of my 11-yr-old) Very cute novel, can't wait till my daughter is old enough to read/appreciate it. :o)
9/7/10-This wasn't one of my favorites that she's written. But, it was still clean and cute and I laughed out loud several times.
9/7/10-This wasn't one of my favorites that she's written. But, it was still clean and cute and I laughed out loud several times.
January 12, 2017
Okay story.
The book has a number of anachronisms mixed with current day things. It feels as though it was written a couple of decades ago, and then an attempt was made to update it to present day. I think it would have been better if it had been left in the past; even though it wouldn't have been present day, it at least would have been consistent with itself.
Content: clean. No sex or language.
The book has a number of anachronisms mixed with current day things. It feels as though it was written a couple of decades ago, and then an attempt was made to update it to present day. I think it would have been better if it had been left in the past; even though it wouldn't have been present day, it at least would have been consistent with itself.
Content: clean. No sex or language.
January 19, 2015
A fun YA book full of realistic characters and events that don't always go as expected. A wonderful tale of friendship, priorities, and pursuing teenage dreams. A delightful, clean read with a wonderful ending.
July 27, 2010
I cute book with moments of complete hillarity. I would have liked the book more if I was about 11 or 12 but it was still a fun read. I love clean books that can make you laugh.
October 12, 2015
G - absolutely nothing offensive
Super humorous. I laughed a lot. Great situational comedy. Like a middle school/high school version of a Beverly Cleary book, but way funnier.
Super humorous. I laughed a lot. Great situational comedy. Like a middle school/high school version of a Beverly Cleary book, but way funnier.
July 25, 2023
Although this isn't my favorite of Rallison's books (mostly because I'm far past my teenage years), it's still a good, clean and easy read. It's very YA with lots of teenage girl drama including a bit of a love triangle. But, It has plenty of light and funny moments to balance the drama that is teenagehood. And even though I thought I knew right where the plot was going, I was wrong! So not as predictable as you'd think.
No cussing, drugs, or sex. Good for all ages. Thanks for the clean read Rallison!
No cussing, drugs, or sex. Good for all ages. Thanks for the clean read Rallison!
June 5, 2017
I like this author a lot, but this wasn't one of my favorites. It's the sports thing, mostly. I've never been able to relate to athletes and their worries and concerns and I couldn't buy the whole WNBA star business. I don't think even the WNBA takes itself this seriously.
Still, it's not a bad book and the alternating view points worked well. It's just not going to be one I recommend. It's just not for me.
Still, it's not a bad book and the alternating view points worked well. It's just not going to be one I recommend. It's just not for me.
February 21, 2018
This was cute. I liked the focus on friendships here: best and unexpected. The conflict is believable (they fight over a boy), and the parents' reactions were really good. I also liked the look at the different ways the girls approached sports and what that said about their personalities. All in all, a fun read.
October 18, 2020
Two best friends, fighting over who's better than basketball... and a cute guy.
I love how this book switched between the perspectives of Josie and Cami. They both want the thing that the other person has. A great range of mood and tone, it's so easy to fit in each characters' shoes!
Another 5-star book for me!
I love how this book switched between the perspectives of Josie and Cami. They both want the thing that the other person has. A great range of mood and tone, it's so easy to fit in each characters' shoes!
Another 5-star book for me!
January 23, 2022
I usually don't read books where the main characters are only fourteen, but since it was free and I love Janette Rallison books, I decided to give it a try. Well, I was not disappointed. The story was cute and funny! I was laughing so much that I had to leave the room. My favorite part was the little brother's discussion of the trading bra. Hilarious!
February 13, 2017
I've got to admit, the author gets high school. It's kind of fun to read as an adult and be glad I'm not back in high school. It can be pretty amusing, though I know it's very real to those crazy hormonal teens and tweens who live at my house.
October 21, 2020
This is a cute YA story. Janette Rallison delivers witty, fun stories and this is no exception. While geared for a younger audience it kept me entertained for a couple of hours.
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: none
Language: none
Content:
Sexual: none
Violence: none
Language: none
March 16, 2022
Kind of confusing, how it kept switching between narrators, even in the same chapter. Their styles are not different enough to identify them. However, the story is interesting, in a 14-year-old sort of way. I laughed out loud several times.
July 4, 2018
Maybe even 5 stars. Very funny, fun, teeny bopper book. I quite enjoyed it! Quick read.
March 1, 2019
This book was a little on the young side for me (the protagonists are 14) but it has a cute ending.
August 6, 2019
Cute read about sports, friendship, and getting out of your social comfort zone.
September 5, 2020
Cute, funny story. Easy read
April 29, 2022
It's silly and not that great of a story, but I laughed out loud a lot which makes me like books the most. 3.5 stars
June 2, 2023
I was a pretty good book the ending just was a little dry
Read
April 20, 2025Didn't finish. Either she was heavily edited or she hadn't quite found her style here.
September 19, 2025
Cute story about friendship and basketball!😊
September 20, 2025
cute story of middle school friendship.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews