Slam Dunk

by Donna King

Talented thirteen-year-old Ashlee Carson is the Tribeca Saints' topscoring point guard. Ashlee is smart, too, but her mom worries that basketball is going to get in the way of her bright academic future. Ashlee will do anything for a chance to win a place on the National Youth basketball team -- even if it means defying her mother and enlisting the help of her estranged father, a former professional basketball player. This gripping story, with plenty of drama both on and off the court, will appeal to any young basketball fan.

Genres: Sports, Young Adult

160 pages, Paperback

First published November 15, 2007

About the author

Donna King is a pen name for best-selling author Jenny Oldfield.

Jenny was born and brought up in Harrogate, Yorkshire, she says that even as a child she wrote stories and made tiny books, complete with illustrations. At school her favourite subjects were English, although she preferred creative writing to comprehension, and Art.

Jenny went on to study English at Birmingham University, where she did research on the Bronte novels and on children’s literature. She has worked in a food shop, delivered newspapers, been an auxiliary nurse in a children's hospital, cleaned houses and taught English in schools, colleges, and a men's prison. She has also taught modern dance.

She writes novels for both children and adults and, when she can escape from her desk, likes to spend time outdoors. Jenny still lives in Yorkshire and says that she loves the countryside and enjoys walking, gardening, playing tennis, riding and travelling with her two daughters, Kate and Eve

Reviews

[Sarah McCabe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this for our sports themed literature circle groups. Not my favorite, but it was a good quick read for my 5th graders!

[Arshia Zehra · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Amazing Book!
We should always follow our dreams...although be careful that u shldn't hurt other ppl along the way! :)
Loved The Book! A Must Read! :D

[Lauran Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an okay book.There wasn't very many suspenseful parts in the book. It was kind of exciting but not that much. The mom in the book is very strict about everything that Ashlee does. I feel bad for Ashlee because her mom gives her no free time to do anything even on a Sunday. Ashlee's dad was a famous basketball player for the Heat. He left Ashlee and her mom. You wont believe what her does for Ashlee.

[Carly Collins · Rating 3 out of 5]

Have you ever been so passionate about something that it means everything to you, it’s your whole world? If so, then you can relate to the main character in the book Slam Dunk by Donna King. This book is about thirteen year old Ashlee Carson who is a tall, blonde basketball player. Her father was a professional basketball player, so Ashlee takes after him being very good at what she does, which brings upon many opportunities. Although her father is supportive of her decision, her mom does not feel the same way. Her mother believes that school should come first, which gets in the way of her basketball, and brings many other issues to their family. Throughout the book, the author shows the triangle relationship between Ashlee and her two divorced parents by giving details that reveal how she feels in certain situations. At one of her games the author states, “Ashlee wormed her way out of his embrace and hugged her mom. ‘I did it!’ she cried. ‘Mom did you just see? I just slam dunked my way into the National Trials!’” (King 138). This quote shows that when Ashlee did something to show her mom that basketball does pay off, she has to make sure her mom knows because she wants to prove herself to her mother. At other times, like when she needed a plane ticket and didn’t want her mother to know, she would go to her father. With this drama between her and her mom and dad, I thought the book was good for people who like the drama, but I think this book is best for teens like Ashlee who are dedicated to a sport, or have similar family issues. This book has a powerful message to always follow your dreams despite what others want for you, which is something we should all do and this book shows it very well! Despite some parts being slightly boring, this was an okay book that I definitely recommend you check out!

[JORDAN · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you are a fan of sports and basketball the " Slam dunk" by Donna King is the book for you. I like that this book talked about girl's basketball and getting into schools. What I did not like about it was that all it was talking about was basketball. I wish there were more other things about her life. It was a good book to read for 7th and 8th graders because it talks about school. It's surprised me so much that I thought it was going to be not good but you know what they say "You can't judge a book by its cover." I liked the ending it talked about how she got into her dream school her parents were so proud. I think it is the same book as other books about sports. I will also recommend this book to a friend who plays basketball. I loved the book.

[Rebekah · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is so interesting i usually hate reading but I could read this book in 3 days I am also a bad reader so that is really impressive that i liked this book so much i love all the stuff that happens and everything about this book go buy it now🏀

[elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second pick of the year from a student! It was okay! She do be loving basketball

[Jeanie]

Author (last): King
Author (first): Donna
Title: Slam Dunk
Place of Publication: Boston, MA
Publisher: Scholastic
Date: 2007

Hook: Have you ever had something you absolutely love, but there's something standing in your way?

Opinion: I have, and the main character of this book and I go through a similar situation.

Content: Ashlee Carson, a thirteen year old girl is an amazing point guard. She has such a passion for basketball and has the potential to get were she wants to get, the WNBA. Her mother, on the other hand, has a more "realistic" dream for her daughter. Theresa, Ashlee's mother, wants Ashlee to stop focusing so much on the court and more into the classroom, to become a doctor. While her father, former NBA player supports her dreams, but is divorced with her mother. Ashlee's coach apporaches her with an opportunity to go to Florida and compete in a tournament to be on the national girls' team. Will Ashlee get to go to Florida wither her mother's strict conditions? Will we meet the father that left Ashlee at a young age? Most important, will Ashlee get to pursue what she wants and not what everybody else wants?

Form: The genre was in a narratior's point of view, like in third person omniscient because you knew what everybody's thoughts were and what they were thinking. This book is a realistic fiction. Even though this is a fictional story, a lot of the events in this book could actually happen in real life. This was an 'e' book. The vocabulary wasn't very hard, but every few pages, there were challenging words. The book's font size was medium, so it allowed me to get through a lot of pages in a short amount of time.

Reccommendation: I would definatly reccomend this book. I felt that i could really connect to it, which is the reason why I love this book so much. I really like that there was a lot of dialogue because it helpe me have a better understanding of this book, instead of just a narration.

[Deyanira]

This is not even all that great. I mean yeah I kinda like basketball but not to the point where I make it my life. For example I wouldn't choose to play basketball over taking a test that affects my future. Now that I think about it maybe I did learn something from this book... Never love something so much to the point where it becomes your life, because it may affect you in the long run... Just thinking about what she did really makes me upset... Any ways I rate this book like at least a 4..no I think thats too much credit. I rate it more like a 2 or a 3..I DO NOT RECOMEND THIS BOOK TO ANYONE!!

[Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thirteen-year-old Ashlee Carson is a talented basketball player, but her mother thinks she should concentrate more on school. Ashlee desperately wants to earn a spot on the National Youth basketball team. She even recruits the help of her deadbeat dad, a former professional basketball player. Even if her mother will never forgive her for choosing sports over her education, Ashlee has to do everything in her power to achieve her goal.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS MY FAVORITE EVVVERR!!!!!!!!!!

[Ishani · Rating 4 out of 5]

I also like the way the book is made because it shows how hard it can be to be the basketball star in your school.

[Jasmine]

Omg so good reminds me of me and any one who tries their hardest

[Delphine! · Rating 5 out of 5]

i thought it was good. It took me a couple of hours o read. It was a very easy read.

[Maura · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome

[Bego♡ · Rating 1 out of 5]

Did not like it at all!!