Three on Three

June 1, 2000
Gr. 3^-5. Third-graders Nick and Kia are nuts about basketball--and also happen to be the best players in their grade. So when they hear about the school three-on-three tournament, with a first prize of tickets to see the Bulls and Raptors play and an autographed ball from their hero, Julius Johnson, they are understandably excited. When they manage to persuade the best player in the school, fifth-grader Marcus, to round out the team, they are in hoop heaven. But there are definitely problems--Will Nick's mom learn to trust Marcus, who comes from a rough neighborhood? Will Nick successfully confront the bully Roy in the tournament? Will the threesome learn to function as a team? The role played by Kia, a girl, is less important than the opening chapter implies, but suspense builds nicely in the carefully plotted story, and stereotypical expectations are turned on their heads. Children who like basketball, and even some who don't, will relate to the underdog main characters and appreciate their hoop dreams. ((Reviewed June 1 & 15, 2000))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)