Synopsis

The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning middle grade bestseller! Basketball and heartache share the court in this slam-dunk novel in verse.

"With a bolt of lightning on my kicks . . . The court is SIZZLING. My sweat is DRIZZLING. Stop all that quivering. 'Cuz tonight I'm delivering," raps twelve-year-old Josh Bell. Thanks to their dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court. But Josh has more than basketball in his blood--he's got mad beats, too, which help him find his rhythm when it's all on the line.

In this fast and furious middle grade novel of family and brotherhood from Kwame Alexander, Josh and Jordan must come to grips with growing up on and off the court to realize breaking the rules comes at a terrible price, as their story's heart-stopping climax proves a game-changer for the entire family.

Streaming series coming soon on Disney+, with executive producers including NBA great LeBron James!

Author: Kwame Alexander
Publisher: Clarion Books
Published: 03/18/2014
Pages: 240
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.75lbs
Size: 8.70h x 5.60w x 0.90d
ISBN: 9780544107717
Award: Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award - Nominee
Award: Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award - Nominee
Award: Kentucky Bluegrass Award - Nominee
Award: Black-Eyed Susan Award - Nominee
Award: Texas Lone Star Reading List - Commended
Award: Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens - Recommended
Award: Nene Award - Nominee
Award: Newbery Medal - Winner
Award: Coretta Scott King Award - Honor Book
Award: Cybils - Finalist
Award: Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children - Honor Book

Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 02/01/2014 - Book Of Special Distinction
Kirkus Reviews 01/15/2014
Publishers Weekly 01/20/2014
School Library Journal 03/01/2014 pg. 132
Booklist 03/15/2014 pg. 74
Shelf Awareness 03/21/2014
Horn Book Magazine 05/01/2014 pg. 789
New York Times Book Review 05/11/2014 pg. 21
Voice of Youth Advocates 08/01/2014 - Recommended - Hard To Beat
PW Best Children's Books 11/03/2014 pg. 42
Kirkus Best Middle Grade Books 11/15/2014 pg. 77
PW Children's Starred Reviews 12/01/2014 pg. 71
SLJ's Best Books 12/01/2014 pg. 23
Shelf Awareness 12/12/2014
Hornbook Guide to Children 07/01/2014 - Superior,Well Above Average
BookPage 04/01/2014
New York Times Book Review 05/31/2015 pg. 48