Half-Court Trap

Volume XXVIII / Issue 18 - January 14 / 2022
Half-Court Trap
Half-Court Trap
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Half-Court Trap

Author: 
Kevin heronJones
Series: 
Sports Stories
Toronto, ON: James Lorimer, 2021
120 pp., trade pbk. & epub, $12.95 (pbk.)
ISBN: 
9781459416444 (pbk.)
9781459416451 (epub)
Grades: 
Grades 4-8
Ages: 
Ages 9-13
Review by: 
Deborah Mervold
4
Excerpt: 

Nigel pounded his fist against Coach Shabaka’s and thanked him, noticing Number 5 across the court high-fiving what were obviously his parents, brothers and sister. Nigel swore that he was going to make Number 5 pay for calling him heavy and teasing him on the court. He wasn’t sure how yet, but he knew Number 5 was going to pay.

Nigel is an excellent basketball player. He is husky and is teased by Number 5 on one of the opposing teams. Nigel has a quick temper and a determination for revenge. When Number 5, Denham, changes team after the summer league and joins Nigel’s team, Nigel plans his revenge. They are both excellent players and high scorers, but Nigel sets several plans in place to hopefully get Denham to quit the team. Through the season, Nigel learns that revenge can cause other issues including friction among teammates and friends and that not working together with all of the teammates can allow points by the other team. Denham learns that words can hurt and can be misconstrued.

Half-Court Trap is an excellent story about basketball and young male players who are trying to come together as a team and improve their skills. Their team is called “The Power” and their cheer is “We have… The Power”. There are 20 chapters with titles that outline the plot, and there is also an epilogue. There are many details that make this an authentic story about basketball. The plot offers many opportunities for discussion around friendship, behaviour and revenge. Because the book has a reading level of 3.8, it would be good for reluctant readers. Half-Court Trap would be an excellent addition to any collection.

Highly Recommended
Reviewer: 

Deborah Mervold is a retired educator from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan, with experience as a high school English teacher and teacher-librarian and post-secondary experience working with instructors at Saskatchewan Polytechnic. She is a life-long learner with a love of reading and libraries.