Justin #1
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
A street-smart action-packed basketball series set on the courts of Oakland, California
“The brief novel is both a satisfying basketball story and an African-American boy’s first-person account of finding his way in the world . . . debut author Alonge plays the game just right.”—Kirkus Reviews
“A coming-of-age story with hard edges and heart.”—Publishers Weekly
Justin has a list of goals stashed under his mattress. Number 1 is “figure out life plans.” Number 5 is “earn Zen Master rating in WoW.” Number 7 is “play a little basketball every day.” Nowhere on that list is “play the crew from Ghosttown,” but that’s the type of trouble that always seems to finds him. And Justin is not the type to back down from a challenge.
Perfect for basketball enthusiasts, this thrilling young adult story about pursuing your dreams will leave readers eager for more in the Blacktop series.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
One of two books kicking off the Blacktop series, written at a fourth-grade reading level, Alonge's first novel taps into the conflicted voice and emotions of 15-year-old Justin Shaw, a talented African-American basketball player trying to find his way. After accidentally burning down a local corner store in a misguided attempt to impress some guys in his Bushrod Park neighborhood of Oakland, Calif., Justin tries to assemble a ragtag basketball team to play against a tough team from nearby Ghosttown ("They show up to your neighborhood like Vikings ready to conquer, pillage, and plunder"). It's a coming-of-age story with hard edges and heart, and Justin's strained relationship with his estranged, alcoholic father is especially well-handled. Another player on Justin's team stars in Janae, available simultaneously. Ages 12 up.
