Former NBA All-Star Caron Butler and acclaimed author Justin A. Reynolds tip off the first book in a new middle grade series about a young boy trying to make his mark on an AAU basketball team coached by a former NBA star in his hometown. Perfect for fans of The Crossover and the Track series. A Junior Library Guild Selection!
Tony loves basketball. But the game changed recently when his best friend, Dante, a hoops phenom, was killed by a police officer. Tony hopes he can carry on Dante’s legacy by making the Sabres, the AAU basketball team Dante took to two national championships.
Tony doesn’t make the team, but Coach James likes what he sees from Tony at tryouts and offers him another join the team as the statistician. With his community reeling and the team just finding its footing on the court, can Tony find a path to healing while helping to bring the Sabres a championship?
I was not expecting a children's book about basketball to hit so hard, but I loved it precisely because it did. Butler and Reynolds put everything into it, from the hopes and dreams of the kids on the court to the horrifically true fact that they might lose their lives simply by playing basketball by their house while black. It's a sad truth in America and one that doesn't get a lot of discussion in a way for younger readers to interact with, but I loved how this book makes it a central theme without it being the heart of the story. Tony's story starts out with the tragic loss of his best friend to a cop's careless bullets and the aftermath of that is a big part of the story, but it's all about the hoops and working hard to achieve your dreams even when they might not be how you originally imagined them. The emphasis on family, community, and opportunities is a fantastic element of the overall message. The importance of justice and coming together as a community to peacefully demand it is another check on the positive side of the ledger for this one. The only thing I could possibly complain about is that the way the boys talk is a little difficult for me to make out, but I know that's just because English isn't my first language and language localization and slang sometimes trip me up. Otherwise, this book is perfect and I highly recommend getting into as many people's hands as possible.
Very happy thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Katherine Tegen Books for the moving read!
Growing up in the Milwaukee projects, family, friends and basketball are what keep African-American, 13 year-old Tony going. When his best friend D. is killed by the police, Tony is determined to honor D’s legacy by making the team that D carried to two national championships. A dream team of authors – one a NBA All-Star and one who nails teen dialog, combine to produce a sports novel packed with on court action, activism, community and heart. Even better the plot manages to both defy expectations and surpass them. As Tony learns, there is more than one way to win. Thank you to NetGalley and Katherine Tegan books for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a little heavy. But the kids really enjoyed it. Most of it went over the 6yo’s head but my son was locked it. If he didn’t take away anything else I hoped he realized that working hard at something even if it doesn’t make you the best can make you better as a person. And while it had mom in tears the social justice storyline was well done.
Any middle school student with an interest in AAU basketball should be drawn to this book about a middle school AAU team in Wisconsin. The book takes place just after a high school AAU player - and brother of one of the boys on the younger team - is shot and killed by a police officer. The mix of basketball and social justice was compelling. I also liked how the protagonist actually doesn't make the team but instead is asked to be the statistician and then showed how important of a role the statistician played in the team's success. The pacing of the book was a bit off and the setting was confusing - I assumed it took place in Milwaukee but then Racine (Butler's hometown) was mentioned at one point along with references to the greater Milwaukee area instead of Milwaukee. I read an ARC so perhaps the Racine reference will be removed in the final version. ARC provided by NetGalley.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
As Tony struggles to make sense of a the senseless murder of his close friend, he reflects on his own future, both as a basketball player and as a potential statistician. With the help of an AAU coach guiding him in the right direction and a wealth of family love and support, Tony begins to open his eyes to the world around him in ways he never before considered.
This is middle-grade novel with authentic voice, contemporary conflicts, and an enduring message of hope. A must-read for young student-athletes and I cannot wait to recommend it to students.
**I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I don't LOVE basketball, it's fine, so I wasn't sure if this was gonna be a sportsball book that didn't resonate with me. But all my fears were quickly allayed. This book isn't a basketball book. Nor is it an issue book. It's a beautiful coming of age story, both for the main character Tony, and for his basketball team, for his family, and for his entire community. This isn't a good sportsball book. It's just good, period. Definitely recommend and can't wait to share with my classroom! Thank you to Harper for a review copy in exchange for my honest evaluation!
I wasn't sure how much I'd be into this book; mainly because I'm not a big sports fan. But while this is a book with basketball, it's not a basketball book--if that makes sense. It's about a community reeling after a terrible loss; it's about grief; it's about finding family and friendships in unexpected places. The voice is pitch perfect. I can't recommend it enough.
So loved reading an early copy of the start of a new middle grade series! Students are going to love this series! Written by an NBA All-Star and a highly acclaimed author, mixing basketball with life that has been turned upside down, forming community bonds through school sports, friendships and family! Add to your TBR stack!!
Finally, a sports book for kids who like math. This one shows that you don’t have to be a sports star prodigy, future face of the league, to find a place in sports. Embrace what you’re good at. There’s also a through-line of a Black teen killed by police that’s handled in a way that treats readers (especially middle grade) like they’re capable of dealing with difficult topics. I really liked how this book does both while still being a fun book about basketball. Well done.
I am a 11 year old kid who plays basketball football and soccer. I loved this book because it is sad and has a lot to do with basketball which is my favorite sport
Tony lives in Oasis Springs, a housing complex in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where many of the residents are Black and economically disadvantaged. His father works two jobs, and his mother is often indisposed, suffering from a condition that sounds like bipolar disorder. Tony loves to play basketball, and his best friend, Dante, is an outstanding player and well as a fantastic student and community member. When Dante is shot and killed by a police officer, Tony's world falls apart. He and Dante's brother, Terry, were going to try out for the travel team Dante was on, the Sabres, but both boys are struggling in the wake of Dante's murder. For Tony, it means finding it hard to focus, but for Terry, it means episodes of rage and the feeling that nothing matters, and he might as well join a local gang. Coach James, who grew up in Oasis Springs, is a committed coach who wants to show his players that there is more to the world than their Milwaukee neighborhood. Terry makes the team, but Tony does not. Coach James offers him a position as a statistician, so that he can be part of the team and use his math skills to help the players. Tony doesn't like the idea at first, but eventually sees the merit, and enjoys working with Kiara, the coach's smart daughter. The whole team is affected by Dante's death, but some deal with it better than others. KO refuses to listen to Tony's strategies based on statistics and isn't a good team player. He eventually leaves to play on a rival team. The Sabres have the opportunity to play at a championship in Orlando if they can do well enough during the season, but it's not easy. Tony's mother ends up going to the hospital, and his father takes him and his sister to stay with Big Mama for a while. Tony loves being away from the city, in a larger, quieter house, but the family's life is centered in Oasis Springs. The community is dealt another blow when the policeman who shot Dante is found not guilty and is returned to his regular beat. There are a lot of protests and community involvement, and Tony and Terry must find a way to balance their love for their community with their need to find a way out of it through basketball. As the coach says, they can always come back after they get an education. Strengths: Like Buford's Kneel, this book deftly combines lots of sports descriptions (including Bowen style score boards on the pages during some of the games) with an underlying theme of social justice and community. Unlike Kneel, it is geared to an upper middle grade audience in respect to language and the way the social justice elements are presented. Dante's shooting happens off page, and the book is more concerned about the effect that this occurence has on the character's ability to go forward. And they do go forward. Coach James and his team are an excellent system of support for both Tony and Terry, even though Terry gets sucked into the seamy side of Oasis Springs for a while. Tony's family is very supportive, even though they have their share of challenges. Butler and reynolds' preface gives a very detailed view of the book they envisioned; they wanted young Black men to see their lived experiences in the pages, but also to see a hopeful outcome. My favorite part was that Tony's basketball skills are not enough to get him a college scholarship, his math abilities might be enough to get him involved in sports through another avenue. It was also very clear that there is a LOT of work involved in being successful in sports, a message many of my students could use. This would be an excellent book for an 8th grade core novel unit. Weaknesses: reynold's It's the End of the World and I'm in My Bathing Suit had a more Young Adult pacing, and he is still adjusting to writing middle grade. The story wasn't as focused as it could have been, and younger readers would find it helpful to know more about what exactly happened with Dante. I've noticed a huge difference in what my students like to read since the pandemic, and concentration isn't what it used to be. At almost 300 pages, this is a bit on the long side. Think of this as Deuker level of sports writing, not Bowen level. What I really think: I'm definitely purchasing this one, because there is a LOT of basketball, as well as social justice issues. It will be a fantastic choice for my stronger 8th grade readers, and would be an excellent choice in high school as well. I really appreciated that while the setting was in the inner city, the language was never "gritty"; there are even a few episodes where "bump" is used as a euphemism for the f-word. There was definitely a lot of effort put in to balancing the various aspects of this story, and in the end, the authors successfully pulled off the book they describe wanting to write in the preface. Nice mix of things. There should be more collaborative efforts between athletes and writers.
Wow. Ok, so I may not be a prolific sports reader, but this is definitely one of my favorite sports books I’ve read. This book has elements of traditional sports books that sports readers will love like tryouts, championships, etc., but it also has a lot of unique elements like Tony being a statistician and the team visiting places in the cities. It also has topics related to social justice with a neighborhood athlete who was killed and mental health with Tony’s mom. Strong narration and characters.
For anyone who likes the various sportsball books by Kwame Alexander, you should check this out. Basketball and dealing with the aftermath after a death caused by police violence. Tony learns to accept a new role on his basketball team while dealing with various problems off of the basketball court. Good read!
I am not always a sports-related book reader, but I enjoyed this one and think a lot of my sixth grade students will as well! Ball player who lost a best bud, a great basketball player, and becomes a team statistician! Very original story! I enjoyed this one! #bookposse
This was definitely a fun, yet educational read. Once again, our teen son was immersed from beginning to end. Being able to see yourself in literature, especially being a Melanated/Brown skin young man is vital in today's society. Our son isn't into sports, per say, yet he enjoys a good story on one. Given that he would rather read a book, build something with Legos or work on building a computer program, I take notice when stories like this lock in his attention.
This story was lively, included recent and current relatable events, showed emotion and provided a view of how different people deal with grieving a loved one.
Written by Justin Reyolds, NBA All-Star Caron Butler, Shot Clock, provides basketball fans with a new perspective on the game that so many love. Marc Anthony Samuel performs this brilliantly, producing different voices for the ensemble cast of characters. Tony's best friend Dante, a basketball protege, has died from a shooting that has sent him and his entire community reeling from his death. Tony tries out for the elite AAU basketball team coached by a former NBA star in his hometown, the one Dante led to two championships, and the unthinkable happens when he doesn't make it. Now the coach has invited Tony to be part of the team but as a statistician. This is not the role he has anticipated. Now Tony has an opportunity to learn more about who he is and discover a new way to love the game of basketball and possibly his future. This story also digs deep to reveal how different characters are dealing with the death of a son, brother, or friend and how a community comes together to heal and move forward. The many layers in this story provide opprotunities for rich discussions. Shot Clock would make an excellent read-aloud for upper-middle grades dealing with racism, death and identity.
Going into this book, you might just be expecting another basketball book for boys - and while this book certainly features a lot of basketball there is SO MUCH MORE to this incredible story. Incredible characters - from Tony (the protagonist) to coach and all the boys on the team - will keep you reading as you progress through an AAU basketball season following the Sabres as they hope to claim another national championship.
But fighting through to the championship doesn't go according to plan for Tony, especially when he realizes there is more than one way to pursue a dream, more than one way to cope with the grief of losing a friend in a tragic shooting by police officers, and more than one path to justice and figthing for the equality that all human lives deserve.
Seriously - if you haven't read this book - you definitely should! (Or you can listen to the audio-book - it's a great recording!)
Good sports book with levels of character development and drama and emotion. Tony, grieving the shooting death of his best friend and basketball inspiration, goes out for the basketball team that his friend Dante had been on. Tony doesn't make the team, but later is recruited to be the team's statistician. This is a great "in" for sportsloving kids who may not be the best at playing the sport, to see that they can still contribute to the team. Tony gets to travel and practice with the team, and his job is very important for spotting other teams' weaknesses to exploit as well as what to improve among his team's players. There's friction between players and a crush on Coach's daughter, and also family drama and the B story of getting justice for Dante, who was killed by a police officer. Good role model story for young Black boys but for any reader too.
I am eagerly awaiting the next book in this series to be released. This was an excellent book choice for my 11 year old son and I to read together. It hits hard with emotion with real-life issues, although fiction. Any person, no matter their age, color, or background, can take something special from this book. Caron Butler, and Justin A. Reynolds did a fantastic job writing this. My son, my very brown son, felt everything this book revealed about the challenges people can face in life, trying to navigate this world that can be very cold. He also held onto all the good it delivered as well. It has inspired him to reach further and harder in life. Because he can be anything as long as he puts in hard work and put his mind to it. You will have trouble putting this book down, and it reads like a 5 star movie or show... you just dont want it to end.
Finished this one up during my lunchtime reading and thought it had a nice mix of actual basketball and social justice though the pacing was a little slow throughout the entire book.
Tony's friend Dante was a basketball star and he was young, then shot and killed by a police officer laying dead on the court he spent so many hours playing on. It has affected the entire community and even though Tony doesn't make the AAU basketball team, he contributes to the team in other ways and finds a way to move forward from the death, but it means justice for Dante.
For a middle grade, it's more figurative than literal in places where it would have been more important to just come out and say it. But otherwise, the connection between family, friendship, sports, school, is intertwined lovingly.
Tony has always loved basketball - until his best friend Dante is shot on the court by a police officer, especially since it looks as if the police officer is going to get away with the crime without any punishment. Tony tries out for an elite team anyway. He doesn't make it but the coach sees Tony's great potential and offers him the position of team statistician.
Written by a former NBA star and author Justin (not Jason) Reynolds, this is a book about sports, social justice, family, and grief. It is beautifully written with excellent sports details but will also appeal to those that may be looking for social justice themes , etc. I believe it is the first in a series. perfect for grades 6-8.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for writing Shot Clock!! As a middle school librarian, mother of athletes-couple of them ballers, you both wrote a well written story that’s timely, that wasn’t just about the game. The sweet woven love of oneself, community, and our children’s future all around an all time favorite sport of many! This is children’s literature at its finest and what publishers need to be printing more of. Yes, the tragedies happen, which in no way are downplayed, but shows us as families, communities, and our country how to move on, peacefully and respectfully of the lost! Can’t wait to share it with my students! Caron, I’m sure you made Kobe proud!! Looking forward to the next one!!
Tone has just lost his best friend, Dante, to a police shooting. He and his community of Oasis Springs are trying to move forward the best they can while processing the tragedy and continuing political drama. The best way to honor D would be by making the travel basketball team. When he's asked to join the team as a statistician instead of player, Tone isn't sure he is doing his friend's life justice. This takes a lot of current societal issues (police shootings, racial inequality, mental health) and packs them into a single story about surviving while staying true to yourself.
Lots of amazing topics, might lose some of their impact because there's so many, would have preferred a different resolution, lots of focus on basketball.
Who would have guessed that I could get pulled in to a basketball story? Yeah, I might have skimmed some of the game descriptions, but what held me was there was so much more than just sports going on: a police shooting and an inside look at the response of The Community, a mom with mental health issues, a kid who doesn't make the team but rocks it as statistician, and it was set in Wisconsin not NYC. The coach was my favorite character -- doing everything he could to broaden his players' horizons, showing them how big the world is so that they could dream bigger for themselves.
Middle school appropriate. I am not into sports at all. This book covered a lot of other topics though and the main focus on the basketball team grounded the novel in its theme of community. I loved the way that Tony followed an unusual path when it came to the team but that it was true to him. We don’t see enough books (or any other books?) around the other careers associated with basketball other than basketball player. For that alone, this book rocked. But besides that, this book had a lot of heart. I teared up at the end. This is definitely one I want to get for my school.