Hoops

The book “Hoops” by Walter Dean Myers was unlike any other book I have ever read. It was about a teenager named Lonnie who is in high school. Lonnie is trying to make it big in his favorite sport Basketball. But he is having trouble not only with his game, with his friends, family, his coach, and even him self.
The book its self has a whole lot of drama like when Lonnie is having trouble with his Basketball coach, and his girl friend. This book its self has a whole lot of action in it. And so inappropriate parts that might frighten young readers. But I liked the whole book. I recommend reading it.

​The book is about a boy named Lonnie Jackson. He lives in a tough neighborhood in Harlem. His father left him when he was little and he drinks alcohol at the age of 16. He gets into the city basketball team and finds out some secrets about the coach. And... thats it, that's the story.

​The book was the worst book I have ever read. All the book is about every game the team has. And there's weird moments like one of the team members shoot Lonnie in the foot for no reason at all with a gun. The only interesting part was what the coach's secret is. That's why I only gave the book 3/5 stars just for the story line (which was messed around a lot) and I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone. ( )

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Personal response:

This book was a great description of Harlem and the struggles of young blacks regarding family, financial struggles, peer pressure, mentors, integrity, sexuality, and awareness of power, options for how to proceed in life, and realistically facing the future. The one thing I could have done w/o was all the details of game play. Guess that is a guy thing.

Cirriculum/programming connections:

I would use it in a YA book dispay of award-winning black authors and create bibliographies of this authors work, as well as others with significant bodies of work. ( )

The main characters in the book Hoops are Lonnie Jackson, his mom, and his basketball coach. This book takes place in New York City, 1960. The theme is basketball and how you should practice to get your dreams and it's kind of about how you should always love and take care of your family.I like this book because it is about basketball and because it's cool to help out your family by getting a job to help your mom pay the bills and when he's done he still has time to play basketball.His only chance for a scholarship depends on Cal, a failed pro who has hit bottom. Cal improves Lonnie's game, but disappears just when Lonnie needs him most. Fast basketball action and sensitive characterization combined with a suspenseful story attracts sports-minded readers.