The Crossover

Josh's dad, and pretty much everyone else, calls him Filthy McNasty because of his skills on the basketball court.  Only two people can come close:  his twin brother JB and their dad.

But just as their team is poised to take the championship, things start to go wrong.  Josh and JB have always been best friends, but now JB has a crush on the new girl Alexis.  Miss Sweet Tea may be cute and a baller, but it's not easy for someone else to take the number one spot away from Josh.

Josh's dad used to be a professional player in the Euroleague until his hurt his knee.  His career could have continued if he's had knee surgery, but he has always been opposed to doctors.  The same is true now that he's had fainting spells and shortness of breath.  Heart problems run in the family, but "da man" can't be brought down  so easily.  The fried chicken and donuts don't help.
All of this is driving Josh a little crazy, and he lashes out at JB at a game.  Can these two brothers ever repair their relationship, or is this the end of a beautiful friendship?

I loved Kwame Alexander's story of basketball and family told in verse format.

Sasquatch in the Paint

Theo's sudden growth spurt has left him feeling awkward and clumsy, but his middle school basketball coach sees potential.  For a kid whose best friend is a chubby Jewish dude from the Brain Train team, this is a big adjustment.  He may be tall, but he's never played basketball or even talked to the guys from the team before.  Plus, all that time spent on basketball is jeopardizing his place on Brain Train!

There's a new girl in school named Rain who is driving him crazy, but he's not sure if that's a good thing or a bad thing.  When he sees some guy on a motorcycle hit her at the park, Theo knows he has to do something.

Don't forget about his crazy cousin Gavin who'd rather put Theo in a headlock than look at him.

To make matters worse, he's pretty sure his dad has started online dating!  What?!

Things are getting pretty complicated for Theo.  Will he be able to figure out what he really wants and make it happen?  Read the book by former NBA star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to find out!

Foul Trouble

Terrell Jamerson is the number one high school basketball player in the country, and everyone knows it.  His life is a constant stream of people trying to get on his good side in the hopes of getting a piece of the pie when Terrell goes pro.  The NCAA rules don't really seem to matter to any of these guys.  Shoe companies, agents, even some guys Terrell thought were friends all want in on the action.

His best friend and teammate Danny Wilcox hates those guys; he calls them the super friends.  He tells Terrell that if he gives in to the pressure those guys will own him.  Danny's dad, who also happens to be their coach, agrees.

This book follows Terrell and Danny as they try to navigate the murky waters of college recruitment through the summer and their senior year in high school.  The longer Terrell waits to make his decision, the sweeter the deals will get.  What will Terrell decide?  John Feinstein will have you on the edge of your seat waiting for Terrell's decision in his latest book!

True Legend

Drew "True" Robinson is already a star, and he's headed for NBA.  Everyone knows it including the ultra  rich Seth Gilbert who "discovered" Drew playing street ball in New York and moved him and his mom to California complete with a private school, a house, and a job for his mom.  But Darlene Robinson isn't buying all the hype; she knows Gilbert wants to be the man next to man.

Even Drew's best friend covers for him in school making sure his grades are high enough and giving him rides.  And his high school coach leaves pretty much everything up to Drew from practice schedules to plays on the court.

The problem is Drew is starting to believe the hype.  Why should he worry about school when it's just a stepping stone to the NBA?  Why should he worry about being a team player when everyone knows he's the real star?

One night Drew will meet someone on the playground who will force him to face reality, to see the truth of what his life has become.  Is it too late for Drew to become the real "True" Robinson?

Read Mike Lupica's latest sports story about living with integrity, especially when you're a star.