The Hoopster

After reading The Hoopster, I was excited to introduce it to my ninth grade students. The characters in the book are real and my students can relate to them. It moves at a fast pace, which is good for both me and my students, many of which have a low attention span. The book offers students at all levels an opportunity to analyze the text. from the witty humor to the racial tension imbedded within the text. As both a teacher and an avid reader, I highly reccommend this book.

I take exception to the featured review given here. I am English department chair for one of the largest high schools in Calif., in LA county, inner city. I disagree that Andre becomes predictable or a 'stock character.' We ARE told of the content of his article, in general terms, but that is enough. It is the non-explicit aspect of his 'dark night of the soul' search that captivates and allows the reader to 'fill in the blanks' which spurs the reader to do what too many do not, BE the film director on the screen of their minds. This is one book that gets our kids excited, and almost every one of them has a clear, and varied, view of the article, the struggle, and the speech. As a matter of fact, writing the absent speech is one great assignment that never fails to rouse the students to some of their best writing. So, contrary to your 'official' review, this book is well worth our teens' reading and DISCUSSING with parents, teachers, and each other.

After reading this novel I wanted to play a game of full court basketball, tell my mom I loved her, and sit down and make a list of things I wanted to improve about myself all at the same time. Instead, I sat back and thought about those relationships that meant the most to me and called each of those individuals to let them know it.

This book is so cool, I think it is dope how he was able to relate to real life. I am waiting for another book from this guy.

It is cleverly written, easy to read, serious, fun and exciting, but most importantly inspiring to those kids that need encouragement to find their way and do what is right.