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In The Playmakers, three underdogs work hard to boost their game to the next level.
The Playmakers by Chad Morris and Shelly Brown. Shadow Mountain, 2025. 256 pages.
- Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12
- Recommended For: ages 10-15
THE PLAYMAKERS: THE CHALLENGE
Jax and his best friend Nic worked hard over the summer to get ready for varsity basketball, and all that sweat pays off in the tryouts. But they still don’t make the team, and Jax is steamed. Sure, he’s short, but he’s fast and agile and it’s just not fair that Coach Sullivan won’t give him a chance. In his confrontation with the coach, Jax throws down a challenge: he’ll put together his own team and play the varsity team at the end of the season, and if they win Coach will have to put both Jax and Nic on the starting lineup next year. In retrospect it seems like a rash bargain, to say the least: Nic is on board, as always, but where’s the rest of the team?
Meanwhile, Luke is trying out for the school production of Little Shop of Horrors. The drama bug bit him over the summer; now he has a clutch of theater friends and a love of performing that desperately needs an outlet. He has to get on the cast list with the rest of his friends, he just has to . . . but he doesn’t. Seventh grade looks like a wasteland—what now?
In her own little corner, as usual, Miley would love a friend. She has no problem with school and is way above average with math subjects, but so maladroit at meeting people that her parents are thinking about homeschooling her with her cousin. Miley doesn’t even like her cousin that much. Making an effort to talk to people isn’t getting her anywhere, but seventh grade feels like her last chance to make social connections. Is homeschool on the horizon?
THE PLAYMAKERS: IN FOR THE WIN
These three are going to come together as Jax builds his team. Luke will gain self-confidence and learn something about giving his all and Miley will come into her own while contributing value to a group. It’s a hard road with plenty of setbacks and a lot riding on the big game. So, will they win? By the time we get to that point, readers will feel they’re in the stands, cheering on the underdogs. The ultimate win might not be what they expect—or it might be even better.
Bottom Line: An enjoyable read with an endearing cast of characters and plenty of heart.
Related Reading From Redeemed Reader
- Reviews: Basketball-related novels for kids abound! Foul Trouble, The Great Wall of Lucy Wu, Pippa Park Raises Her Game, Power Forward, Rebound, and The Turnover have all been reviewed on Redeemed Reader.
- Reviews: Nonfiction books about basketball include a graphic novel memoir, Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang, and Games of Deception, about the US Olympic basketball team in 1936.
- A Resource: For more sports-themed books, check out our Sports Books That Pack a Punch Booklist.
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