The Fifth Quarter

The Fifth Quarter #1

by Mike Dawson

Get ready to hit the court in this graphic novel, the first in Mike Dawson's middle-grade duology about a girl who deals with her insecurities through her love of basketball.

Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the real game starts, known as the fifth quarter, where the not-so-good kids play and the points don’t count. That doesn’t matter to Lori though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out-of-place in her daily life.

With athletic promise and a dogged determination to keep improving, Lori pursues her passion while navigating awkward social dynamics, her own expectations, and her first overnight away from home. Will her drive allow her to find true courage both on the court, in school, and at home?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Middle Grade, Sports, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Comics, Juvenile

240 pages, Hardcover

First published May 25, 2021

Reviews

[MariNaomi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a sports person AT ALL and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Dawson perfectly captured the Big Feelings of being a ten-year-old girl navigating friendships/complicated social situations, and I got teary eyed on more than one occasion.

[François Vigneault · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tremendously fluid cartooning and a down-to-earth story make this a winner. This story is wonderfully positive and uplifting but still deals with some very real emotional matters and difficult life lessons. There is also much more to this year-in-the-life of a basketball-loving fourth grader and her family than just what goes down on the court, themes of friendship, alienation, and even a bit of local politics enters the picture and everything is deftly handled by Mike Dawson. Well worth a read.

[Julesy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This graphic novel is so timely while the excitement of the NCAA basketball tournament goes on.

I absolutely loved this story with 4th/5th grade girls, rather than boys, as the focus of the story.
Lori and her friends, who are also some of her fellow basketball teammates, build confidence while navigating through their peer pressure and friendships. Some harsh words are often thrown Lori's way by her friends, which cut deep with sensitive Lori. With her never-ending support from her optimistic and positive parents, Lori manages to work through her hurt, anger, and anxiety simply because she just loves playing basketball.

The story and artwork are both amazing! I was sad that it ended so quickly. BUT ... now I'm off to read the next book in the entry. Can't wait to read how a critical game ends for Lori and her friends.

[Jennybeast · Rating 4 out of 5]

4th grader Lori is really enjoying playing basketball, even though she's not on the regular team. Love how this book is about falling in love with a sport/activity, and enjoying it when your coach pushes you to excel in a way that would not work from parents. Love Lori's difficulties with making friends/ having a sense of humor that gets taken the wrong way. Love the way all the girls adapt and grow over the course of the book, and the interesting insight into being the family of a politician. Really great dad-daughter dynamics.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivating for kids and adults. Spot-on with emotions and youth basketball team dynamics. Love the drawings.

[Jaden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Im putting all the books I read at home here.

[Tiffany Blose · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good graphic novel for younger kids. It’s a book I wish I had when I was younger.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A graphic novel about sports! Yes! (I wish there were more graphic novels about sports, especially boys in sports.) While Lori and her friend aren't great at basketball, they like it and want to get better, especially Lori. Sometimes, Lori gets so focused on basketball and keeping it her and one of her friends, that she excludes people. As Lori works to get incrementally better at basketball, her mom is running for city council. A good message about trying and working at something to get better, even if huge improvement isn't immediate. Also, a super realistic family with busy, overwhelmed parents and kids being on screens more than those parents would like. For fans of Roller Girl and The Breakaways.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Netgalley

Lori has made peace with some of her friends doing drama rather than playing basketball in The Fifth Quarter, and is still playing on a travel team. She and Elyse do well together, but still are relegated to the fifth quarter, when points aren't being scored. Her mother Rachel is still working long hours, and her father stays at home and drives her to her games, bringing along her whiny twin siblings. This changes, however; her father gets a new, full-time job, and her mother cuts back to part time. Because of this, she has time to coach Lori in a rec league. Lori isn't thrilled about this; her mother can be rather intense, and she'll HAVE to play on her mom's team, while Elyse is on another. In green and white flashbacks, we see the mother's experience playing soccer in the 1990s, and see how her growing up years mirror Lori's. She had a stepmother, her father coached her soccer team, and her step sister Miriam wasn't a good player, and Rachel bullied her a bit on the field. Things were rocky with her father's marriage, and he frequently complains about the stepmother's dedication to work and her inability to keep house properly. Rachel struggled to play soccer well in order to make her father happy. We see Lori trying to keep her own parents from fighting, especially when her father's new job is eliminated. Will Lori be able to balance her sports, friends, and family life?
Strengths: As a huge fan of sports books for middle grade readers, especially involving girls sports, I was very glad to see this one. There is even some information about Title IX at the end of the book, and there needs to be a lot more awareness about that legislation among young readers! The transition between Lori and Rachel's stories was particularly effective, and Rachel's childhood explains a lot of the dynamic in Lori's family. I did enjoy the conversation she had with her father about how he was dealing with his changes in employment. There aren't enough books that show how parental circumstances affect middle grade characters. The illustrations are colorful and easy to follow-- the different characters definitely have defining characteristics that make them easy to tell apart, which is a huge help. If you liked The Fifth Quarter, you'll definitely want to take a look at this continuation.
Weaknesses: Since I haven't seen a basketball game since about 1975, I struggled to follow the action on the court. The beginning of the book was rather frenetic in its attempts to recap the first book. While this story worked fairly well as a graphic novel, there were a lot of details that were missing or harder to follow because of the format.
What I really think: I will definitely purchase this, although there is less basketball and more family drama. Because it has sports on the cover, a lot more readers will pick it up, but it will be most successful with fans of books like Knisley's Peapod Farm and Raina Telgemeier's Sisters.

[J.T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mike Dawson has been a fixture in the indie-comics scene for a few decades, and I've always enjoyed his books. His first YA graphic novel, The Fifth Quarter is seemingly a departure from his last book of largely political essays. But, once you dig into the book, themes Dawson has been exploring for years all bubble up to the surface.

Primarily, every comic Dawson creates is about relationships, and The Fifth Quarter is no exception. Although I have no interest in basketball (nor does my daughter, who I bought the book for), I knew that the book wouldn't be purely about sports. The protagonist, a fourth grader, is going through a transitional period of figuring out who and what is important to her. She's not especially skilled at basketball, but she finds that she enjoys it and has a strong desire to improve. This causes some friction with her friend group, most of whom don't share her intensity towards basketball.

The scenes involving the protagonist inadvertently alienating her friends and being plagued with anxiety over feeling isolated herself felt very real. Dawson managed to work in a wonderful teaching moment (that I hope my own daughter picks up on) when one of the coaches lets his team know that an adult won't always be there to help you, that sometimes you have to be self sufficient and put in the work. In fact, there were a multitude of touching moments and lessons scattered throughout (with none coming across as didactic).

The subplot of the protagonist's mother running for city council touched on an issue Dawson has been very vocal about on social media and in his comics essays: it's easy to complain about problems but more difficult (and rewarding) to actually DO something about them. Lori's mom becomes consumed with running for a position in local government, and her experiences mirror those of her daughter in her feelings of anxiety. I won't spoil the tender moment between mother and daughter towards the end of the book, but as a parent, it hit close to home.

Dawson's drawing style is a bit looser here than in previous work, but it definitely works well with the subject matter. Dropping some of the detailed crosshatching does not sacrifice his incredible expressiveness in facial expressions and body language or exquisite composition.

Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[Amy T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very excited to order The Fifth Quarter for the children's room at my library because kids LOVE sports books. There have been a lot of great sports graphic novels for teens published lately (Check Please, Dragon Hoops, A Map to the Sun) but sports themed graphic novels for early readers and middle grade still seem to be few and far between. I've been a fan of Mike Dawson's comics for years and I was very happy to add this to the collection.

This book sent me spiraling back to my tween years (in a good way.) I could relate to Lori, because I also started playing a sport in elementary school and was not very good at it. After lots of hard work and practice, I got better and started to really enjoy it. I think watching Lori's initial struggle and seeing her gain success after putting in hard work is a great message to send to kids. Society's trend of instant gratification has been trickling down to the youngest members, and reminding kids that it's okay to not be good at everything they try right away is very important.

The author absolutely nailed the dynamic of fifth-grade friendships. Both the shared joys and disagreements between the characters felt so realistic, and I think kids reading it will be able to relate to Lori and her friends. I thought Lori's jealousy was an especially interesting character trait because that is something that tweens feel all the time and they might not know how to deal with it properly. One of my favorite aspects of graphic novels is their ability to contribute to kids' emotional learning. Unlike prose novels, graphic novels normally don't have a first or third person narrator to explain what the characters are feeling. These feelings instead have to be deduced by the reader through dialogue and character expressions. The facial expressions and body language of the characters in this book are drawn so well and help the reader understand what is going on in the story.

I encourage all children's and tween librarians to add this book to your graphic novel collections! It makes a great addition to sports themed reading lists, alongside The Breakaways and Roller Girl.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth quarter refers to a quarter that doesn’t exist in basketball games, where the younger, not as good players, get to play in the game, shooting baskets that don’t actually count in the real game.

Lori is in the fourth grade, and is one of the players that only gets to play in the fifth quarter, but she still loves the game, and wishes her friends loved it as much as she did.

Meanwhile, her mother wants to run for office, and Lori feels that even though she is doing it for the children, she is getting even less attention paid to her.

This is a story of friendships and sportsmanship, and doing things that are important. There is even a little bit of homesickness thrown in, when she goes to an away camp for basketball.

Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.

[Suebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This would be a must-purchase for any elementary or middle school library to add to the graphic novel shelf.

Fourth grader Lori is a "fifth quarter" player on her NJ middle school basketball team. "Fifth quarter" means she's not one of the top players, so she gets to play at the end when the outcome of the "real game" is not in jeopardy.

The friendship struggles Lori faces are realistic - she wants to practice basketball at recess, but her friend group of 4 girls is more interested in playing "unicorns." Lori also (justifiably) feels like no one listens to her at home - for 90% of the book, the parents aren't responsive to Lori due to work (Mom is running for town council) and distraction (cell phone usage and caretaking of busy younger siblings, who also seemingly have devices at all times). I wish the parents could have been a little more responsive.

[Mercedes Campos López · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of the best middle grade graphic novels I’ve read in a while- it has that depth that I rarely see in books for this age range. The art is appealing, expressive, and I love the colors. My only complaint is that the bubble shape of the tail ends of the speech balloons made it a bit confusing in scenes where multiple characters were talking.

Story wise the book is very well structured and builds to a wonderful emotional climax that I didn’t expect from a book about a girl wanting to get better at basketball. I think what really makes this book shine is that the character, along with her basketball struggles, is also having to navigate very real problems in her family life. Unlike many books in this age range the parents in this book feel very fleshed out, with their own problems and personalities.

I really enjoyed this book!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lori loves playing basketball! She and a friend are on a travel team where they have what is called "the fifth quarter". This is where the players who don't start the game get to go out and play a quarter at the end, so they get so real game time experience. Lori is determined to do whatever it takes to get better but it causes some difficult/awkward situations at school and with the team.

This is a bit of a "message" book but is delivered in a way that does not shove it down one's throat. I think students will enjoy the vivid color illustrations. It is easy to tell individuals apart. Lori is a very relatable character with real-life dilemmas and issues. It's also nice to have a sports book that features girls.

[Katie Reilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my 4/5th grade readers will enjoy the first book in this middle grade graphic novel series. Lori is a 4th grader who loves playing basketball, even though her court time is limited to the fifth quarter, an extra period played before the start of the official game where points don’t matter. With an increasing desire to improve her skills, Lori attends camps, determined to get better. Though this is a book about basketball, there’s lots to unpack with readers, such as friendships, feeling excluded, family, and local politics.

Will be buying to add this one (and book 2) to my classroom library.

[Erin Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great graphic novel for kids and parents to read together! Dawson nails the tween challenges of navigating friendships while finding your "thing" and being an individual. The story of the challenges a mom faces while trying to find her "thing" will resonate with adults, and show kids that sometimes, moms do things for you -- even when it means sacrificing time with you. A great read with lots to discuss as a family after. As usual with Dawson, the illustrations were fantastic and helped move the story along. High Recommend for the tween set, girls and boys.

[Racheal Paquette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this Graphic Novel! My daughter is 9 and its her first year playing basketball, she is very excited about it! She also has Autism and ADHD, which can make sports a challenger for her, but her love of the game shines through when she is playing! This book made me feel all the emotions as a parent who wants nothing but her child to be included and accepted. I loved Lori and reading from her point of view gave me insight into my daughter and how she might feel on a daily basis at school. I cannot wait to read the next one! And I highly recommend this book for all!!!

[Maura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and fun graphic novel that would be a great addition to elementary library collections, as it centers the story of a sports-loving girl who is not great at the sport but works to improve. My 8 year old son enjoyed reading it. The only critical comment he made -- and he made it OFTEN - was not understanding why the characters' mouths would often disappear. We both found the art to be appealing except for that very puzzling, distracting element.

Otherwise, the characters were relatable and I'm confident it's a graphic novel that will fly off elementary shelves.

[Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lori can't seem to get things quite right. She isn't the best teammate, most enthusiastic daughter, or nice friend. She's often putting her foot in her mouth or taking it to personally. Through commitment to basketball, hard work, and gaining perspective on the inner lives of those around her, she becomes the best Lori she can be at the moment. Great for any kiddo needing the extra push to be a better winner and loser.

[John Yingling · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lot to like about this book. My first takeaway is that each character has flaws, which to me, makes them much more relatable. This book is about way more than basketball, although the scenes of basketball games are quite good. The book is also about friendships, loyalty, trying to fit in, parent/child relationships, mistaken impressions, determination, whether or not to follow the crowd, and believing in yourself. Very well done. I'm looking forward to the sequel.

[Crystal books_inthewild · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great graphic novel, especially for sports and basketball lovers. I enjoyed the friendships between the girls, grade levels, and teammates. I liked how they encountered real life issues, and overcame challenges together. I also really liked the themes of trying hard, doing your best, practicing skills, and how what you do when you fail is important!

The illustrations weren’t my favourite, but I can see how they are colourful and fun for kids!

[Tonya Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life and Basketball

A fourth grade learns about friendship, family, basketball, and losing. Her mom and dad are busy people who support and encourage her love of basketball. She wants to get better at basketball, and her parents offer her support. Mom wants to run for town council and adds a wrench into her life. One of her best friend’s dads holds the seat. I loved this book. Little girls must be taught to pursue their dreams.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another really good graphic fiction about girls. Most often these seem to be about girls a little older - middle school aged, but our hero here is in 4th and 5th grades and her passion is basketball. It is a nice story about perseverance and also deals with some of the awkwardness of social relationships, without the added element of boy/girl stuff. My favorite part was the part about the mother running for office and what she hoped her daughter would learn from that experience.

[Heidi H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Goodreads for a free giveaway copy. My 12 year old read it immediately and loved it! She says that the book is all about girl power and that you have to be brave. It does not matter if you win or lose, it only matters if you have fun.

What a great inspiring book for tween girls! Every school should have a copy in their middle school library.

[Dolores · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lori really loves playing basketball, but doesn't always do well. Just like she struggles with feeling out of place--and merely tolerated among her friend group. The only way forward is to put in the hard work--in both situations. Can she find the courage to do it? Little too much sports for me--and I didn't especially find Lori likeable, but I can see that kids will enjoy this one.

[Dane Erbach · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t really like basketball, and I’m not normally a middle grade reader, but I really enjoyed this graphic novel because it is about so much more than sports. It’s about growing up, pushing yourself to do your best, doing your best, and persevering through difficulty—and the drawings are wonderful. I may not have been the target reader, but I got plenty out of this book.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good book that features athletic girls involved in sports. But I wish there was some more development in the main character. I felt like the author kind of brushes aside how rude and competitive she can be with her friends and its so quickly resolved near the end. That moment could have been larger and more impactful and I might have liked this better

[Sdlclouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

I definitely gravitate to & grab basketball books for my students! This book has a great message of working hard to reach your goals. There are also conflicts with friends that readers will relate to.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The main character had some REAL unlikability issues, but I could see her manifesting her anxieties in ways I probably did as a 4th and 5th grader. All in all a nice book about those weird later elementary school years.