2006 - Best Young Adult

Reviewed by Taylor Rector for TeensReadToo.com

In this thrilling mystery about two eighth-grade reporters, a blackmail case is solved. Steven Thomas and Susan Carol Anderson win a journalism contest and are sent to the Final Four basketball games. They are required to write an article every day that they are at the tournament and are provided press passes and full access to all the inside information.

The first day that Steven and Susan are at the games they overhear someone make a blackmail threat to a Minnesota State University player. At first they don't think much of it until a player goes MISSING! You follow the story of the pair putting the puzzle pieces together and solving the mystery of the missing basketball player.

I loved the fast pace of the book, the thrilling moments, and the hostage situation. This is the first book in a four book series. And even though this book is about sports, and I'm a girly-girl, this book is awesome! Anyone can enjoy this book! ( )

While the situation is a bit unbelievable (two students stumble upon a blackmail scandal at the Final Four of NCAA basketball and are determined to save the star player) the characters themselves are well-drawn. The scenes with the big-name sports reporters are very funny, even if you don't recognize all the names. Anyone who enjoys NCAA basketball and a good mystery will like this book. ( )

Realistic issues confront two students who are torn by their goals. Set in the context of an exciting final four basketball tournament, and this story fills a need for the sports-minded student. Gripping for a few students, others will be lost in the sports terms. ( )

More sports than mystery ( )