The Hoop Con (Play the Game #1)

by Amar Shah

YOU CAN’T WIN IF YOU DON’T PLAY Raam Patel is eager to prove himself ever since he didn’t make the middle school’s basketball team. So, when Hoop Con comes to town he is determined to be there and take his shot. His big moment proves to be unforgettable… but not in the way he’d hoped. Raam gets schooled by the camp’s golden boy right in front of his NBA idol. To make matters even worse, this fail goes viral. Raam is used to being the underdog, but becoming the newest meme might be something even he can’t overcome alone. He skips town in an effort to lay low and take a break from basketball. However, he’s met with new courts, fresh kicks, and tough new competition, changing his whole outlook on the game. Raam has the skills, but now it’s time to unlock the mental game.

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 5, 2024

Reviews

[Suzy Tkacik · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be fair, I am only a mild sports fan, and basketball may be my least favorite sport. And yet, Amar Shah’s story had me on the edge of my seat several times as I pounced through the play by plays of breathtaking games! That’s how passion changes a story! Shah’s debut middle grade book is a slam dunk. The roller coaster of middle school was made heartbreaking and all too real with the underlying story of social media’s influence and the protagonist’s family’s struggles. The beauty and richness of the Indian culture added depth and authenticity. I can’t wait to read the sequel!

[Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

GOATED and SIGMA