Night Hoops

Night Hoops, like most of Carl Deuker's novels really focuses a lot on narrating actual games instead of the real message. I really enjoyed it though. The main character and what many believe to be the antagonist actually have a bond through basketball. The antagonist faces a lot of adversity since his brother committed a crime. Because of what his brother did, everyone assumes that the antagonist is also a bad person. All he wants to do is play basketball, and he even raises his failing grades to ensure his spot on the team.

This book was one of my all time favorites. Deuker does a great job of showing the drive that a kid needs in order to be a champion and how you shouldn't judge someone until you get to know them. The multiple conflicts that Deuker brings to the table really make this novel a winner.

Nick is a young boy who loves basketball, and has a father who was extremely successful at the game but could not continue college so his career was cut short. Nick learns that his parents are getting a divorce which does not come at a good time because he is about to have a big tryout. Nick learns how to deal with hardship and even makes friends with his bully of a neighbor, Trent.

The central message of the book is that sports can get you through difficult time. Through his parents divorce Nick used basketball as an outlet and forget everything that was going on once he stepped onto the court. I did not enjoy this book, and it was a very slow read. I thought it would interest me because of the sport, but i quickly lost interest.

Do you like sports? Because I have just the book for you. It's about an intense rivalry between two kids who become friends to try and win their championship game.

The main conflict of the story is when Trent's brother Zack shoots a man after telling the police that he was beating up animals by the river. Zack went by Trent when they were going to fire a gun when Zack got some bullets. Trent refused that night but Zack went and decided to shoot it a bit and almost killed Nick's brother's girlfriend's brother.

The protagonist in the novel is Nick Abbott who plays high school basketball at Bothell High School. He is a freshman playing on the varsity team with Trent Dawson who bullied him in junior high. Trent and Nick were not close show more friends until they started playing at night against each other. The Antagonist in the novel is Zack Dawson, Trent's older brother who gets in trouble for beating animals and for shooting a man. Another main character in the story is Nick’s dad, he helps Nick get better to play on the varsity team. He tells Nick about the final shot being the one to take it, and always finding the open man when playing offense.

The theme of the story is happiness. Trent does what makes him happy which is playing basketball. The story is written around basketball and how it helps them be happy. By the end of the novel, Trent decides to do what makes him happy and join the team in the game. Nick finds happiness when playing basketball and winning with the team. Almost everyone by the end of the book finds happiness in their life.

I recommend this novel because it tells an interesting story about a boy being bullied and
coming to terms with the bully to play in the championship game, although the bully's brother
does something wrong the bully stays and plays in the game, so his life won’t be ruined
because of his brother's mistake. show less

In this book, Night Hoops by Carl Deuker, Nick Abbot and Trent Dawson have one thing in common, basketball. However, as the season continues their lives come closer and closer as Trent’s brother is on the run from the police. The covers art is dark and doesn’t draw in the reader although the book is still very good. I would recommend it to any reader who enjoys sports fiction.

i like this book because its about basketball and i like basketball too. I think the auther does well writing this book

Reviewed by Grandma Bev for TeensReadToo.com

Nick Abbott wants his father's approval more than anything, but his brother Scott is always first in his father's eyes. Nick's father was a basketball star in high school, and he wants Scott to excel in that sport, but Scott just wants to play his trumpet. Nick's parents decide to go their separate ways, and the divorce is a big psychological problem for Nick, but he is determined to be a star on his high school basketball team and gain his father's approval.

The boy that lives across the street, Trent Dawson, is an angry and disturbed young man who doesn't get along with anyone, but the boys gradually form a tense friendship as they practice in Nick's new backyard basketball court. Nick show more convinces Trent that he could be an important part of the squad if he would bring his grades up and try out for the team.

Then Trent's brother shoots another boy and Trent feels compelled to go with his brother, who is in hiding. Nick's team is on the verge of a championship season, and with Trent's aggressiveness and Nick's leadership, they could win. Without Trent, the team may falter, and Nick is desperate to convince Trent to stay in school and on the team.

Teen angst and the emotional strain of high school relationships are realistic within NIGHT HOOPS. The excitement and descriptions of the games are well written. Deuker is a master at characterization and delivering a story with escalating suspense as the boys deal with real problems. Even reluctant readers, and especially sports-minded boys, will enjoy this electrifying novel. show less