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Nick and Kia #9
Boot Camp
"Altitude," Jerome said, answering the confused looks on our faces, "is how high you fly. You need to have a good attitude if you want to fly high. You have to believe." When Nick and Kia are invited to former Toronto Raptor Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams' basketball camp in Washington, DC, they quickly discover that this is no ordinary summer hoop camp. This is a basketball boot camp that focuses on discipline and hard work. Jerome and Johnnie's father, "Sergeant Push-up" to the campers, is the no-nonsense camp director. When scrimmages begin, Nick and Kia fall victim to the antics of their teammate Jamal, a talented but troubled player who tries to win games on his own. Only after some hard lessons-and some tough losses-do the three youngsters learn that it takes everyone on the team to accomplish real success. For the ninth installment of this best-selling series Eric Walters has teamed up with retired NBA star Jerome Williams and his brother Johnnie Williams III to write another exciting chapter in the lives of Nick and Kia. Although Boot Camp is fiction, there is a real JYD Basketball Boot Camp in Washington each summer. The Williams' royalties will go to support the JYD Project, which offers a variety of community outreach programs for youth in Canada and the United States. Eric Walters is the author of more than forty books for children and young adults and a much sought-after classroom presenter.
192 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
2 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
About the author
Eric Walters
159 books910 followersEric was born in Toronto in 1957, which makes him "real old". But, as Eric says, "Just because I have to grow old doesn't mean that I have to grow up!" In his many roles as parent, teacher, social worker, youth sports coach and writer he is in constant contact with children and young adults. He draws from these experiences and feels that this helps him to capture the realistic interaction between young people—the conflicts, tensions, stresses and interests that make up their lives.
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
Eric began his writing as a teacher. He taught in classes from kindergarten up and his stories often reflect the curriculum that he was teaching. He always read stories—picture books and novels—to his students and this helped him to understand what children liked, responded to, and were inspired by. He enjoys the enthusiasm of his students and often looks at them to provide him with the inspiration to pursue a particular topic in both the classroom and in his writing.
Eric tries to write every day. When he has a story idea he starts with research. This could involve reading books, watching a documentary, or trying to experience the things that his characters are going to go through. This could include rock climbing or riding white water (for Stars), spending time in a wheelchair (Rebound), playing and walking with tigers (Tiger by the Tail), hanging around a tough biker bar (Diamonds in the Rough), standing out in his backyard in a blizzard wearing a T-shirt and shorts (Trapped in Ice), or traveling to Africa (Alexandria of Africa).
"The most important thing anybody ever told me about writing was to write what you know . . . and the only way to get to know things is to do your homework and research before you write," Eric stated.
Once the writing begins the story is always playing around in his head. He takes any opportunity, even if it's just a few minutes between presentations, to put things down, either with pen and paper or on his laptop.
Prior to entering teaching and writing Eric was a social worker (B.S.W., M.S.W., B.A.Hons—specialized major psychology). He worked in a variety of settings including child welfare, private practice, a mental health centre, and, for twenty years on a part-time basis as a Crisis Social Worker in an emergency department. He stopped teaching 4 years ago and left the ER only last year.
The majority of Eric's time is spent in the company of his wife, children and dogs (Lola a big standard poodle and a little white dog named Winnie the Poodle).
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
December 20, 2014
How often does an NBA star invite a kid (also a big fan of said NBA star) to basketball camp? Nick is one lucky guy who gets precisely such an invitation and so is best friend Kia whom this former NBA start, Jerome "Junk Yard Dog" Williams invites as a friend of Nick. The summer won't be about playing video games and being bored. Rather (thanks to Nick's mom), Nick and Kia are off to basketball boot camp. In that follows a "work hard, play hard" story with wise words and life advice added in.
Kids who enjoy (surprise) basketball or any team sport for that matter would likely find this an enjoyable read. The plot, slow to develop at start, picks up when the rounds of basketball games start, Nick and Kia's team having to get it together or face disappointment. Constant bickering with a particular teammate, Jamal, makes for trouble and has Nick and Kia wondering why he's on their team (and isn't switched from their team during a team shuffle at one point).
Short chapters and motivational characters (namely the coaches and particularly Jerome Williams) make this a book I'd recommend. The writing could be better but for the enjoyment and interest it could hold with kids who enjoy team sports, I liked it.
Also recommended to encourage girls who feel reluctant about playing sports, particularly ones considered more masculine. I wondered about this as there are plenty of female basketball teams around. Why is she the only female at this camp? I see that the authors are talking about inclusivity in this aspect (and do a great job at it) but her being the only female presence is odd. A few more girls showing up for the camp would seem more natural.
The first book I read in the series and plan to read the rest, think I'll enjoy it. This said about Kia being the only girl on the team, reading more of the series could help!
Kids who enjoy (surprise) basketball or any team sport for that matter would likely find this an enjoyable read. The plot, slow to develop at start, picks up when the rounds of basketball games start, Nick and Kia's team having to get it together or face disappointment. Constant bickering with a particular teammate, Jamal, makes for trouble and has Nick and Kia wondering why he's on their team (and isn't switched from their team during a team shuffle at one point).
Short chapters and motivational characters (namely the coaches and particularly Jerome Williams) make this a book I'd recommend. The writing could be better but for the enjoyment and interest it could hold with kids who enjoy team sports, I liked it.
Also recommended to encourage girls who feel reluctant about playing sports, particularly ones considered more masculine. I wondered about this as there are plenty of female basketball teams around. Why is she the only female at this camp? I see that the authors are talking about inclusivity in this aspect (and do a great job at it) but her being the only female presence is odd. A few more girls showing up for the camp would seem more natural.
The first book I read in the series and plan to read the rest, think I'll enjoy it. This said about Kia being the only girl on the team, reading more of the series could help!
April 15, 2015
In "Boot Camp" by Eric Walters, Nick and Kia are invited to a special basketball camp hosted by their good friend Jerome. Once they find out that this is a boot camp, and not a basketball camp, they start having second thoughts. Even with the high pressure, Nick and Kia push through with their teammates and make it all the way.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had lots of ways of expressing how confidence is key, and that you should never ever give up. It also teaches threat others the way you would like to be treated.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the game of basketball. It would also be good for people who need some extra motivation. All these books by Eric Walters are very motivational, and I love reading them.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It had lots of ways of expressing how confidence is key, and that you should never ever give up. It also teaches threat others the way you would like to be treated.
I would recommend this book to anyone who loves the game of basketball. It would also be good for people who need some extra motivation. All these books by Eric Walters are very motivational, and I love reading them.
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April 14, 2017Good read!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews