Bouncing Back

by Scott Ostler

Overview

Packed with humor and thrilling sports action, this "wonderful story of friendship and the unique ability of kids to overcome a challenge" (#1 New York Times bestselling author Mitch Albom) "will get in your heart and won't get out" (#1 New York Times bestselling author Mike Lupica).

Back in his old basketball league, before the car accident, thirteen-year-old Carlos Cooper owned the court, sprinting and jumping and lighting up the scoreboard as his opponents (and teammates) watched in amazement. But now, Carlos feels completely out of his league on his new wheelchair basketball team, the Rollin' Rats. After all, how can he make a layup when he's still struggling to learn how to dribble?


But when the city's crooked mayor threatens to tear down the Rollin' Rats' gym, Carlos realizes that he can't stay on the sidelines forever. Because without a gym, the team can't practice, and if they can't practice, they can kiss their state tournament dreams goodbye. If Carlos is going to learn what it truly means to be part of a team and help his new friends save their season, he'll have to either go all-in . . . or get out.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316524766
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	10/13/2020
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	151,668
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Scott Ostler is a sports columnist forthe San Francisco Chronicle, and previously for the Los Angeles Times. He has been voted California Sportswriter of the Year fourteen times. Ostler has covered major sports all over the world, and his writing has been published in national publications from Sports Illustrated to Parenting. Scott is the author of five nonfiction books for adults; Bouncing Back is his debut novel.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Bouncing Back:

"A wonderful story of friendship and the unique ability of kids to overcome a challenge. Inspiring for young athletes and non-athletes alike."—Mitch Albom, #1 New York Times bestselling author; Sports Columnist, Detroit Free Press; panelist, ESPN's The Sports Reporters

"My old friend Scott Ostler has always written a sports column informed by humor and heart. Now he gives us a novel about a boy, and his teammates, who will get into your heart and won't get out."—Mike Lupica, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Heat and Travel Team

* "The multi-tiered plot moves quickly, the characters are engaging, and the wheelchair basketball is a unique premise, but the real draw in this debut novel from sportswriter Ostler are the vivid descriptions of basketball action. Of equal interest to boys and girls, this strikes just the right notes about teamwork, friendship, and acceptance."—Booklist, starred review

"Enjoyable... Perfect for middle grade fans of Mike Lupica."—School Library Journal

"A sports story that's as heartwarming as it is action-packed."—Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

10/01/2019

Gr 3–7—At Carlos Cooper's old school, he was a basketball star known as Cooper the Hooper. He has been living with his aunt and uncle for the past year, ever since his parents were killed in a car accident that left him paraplegic. Carlos is grateful for their care, but it is very hard to start a new school and especially hard being the new kid in a wheelchair. And the school bully seems to take special delight in taunting him. When Carlos's aunt asks him to take a look at a wheelchair basketball league, he isn't enthused but gives it a shot. The team is welcoming and supportive, and he likes the coach, who also uses a wheelchair. Just as Carlos is settling into this new game, the run-down gym that has been home to the team is shut down by the city. Without the gym, the team's hopes for a state championship are dashed. There's something fishy about the city's move to condemn the building, so Carlos and his teammates do a little investigating on their own. Carlos is a likable, earnest, if preternaturally mature narrator. His transition from able-bodied star to wheelchair athlete is engaging. The issue of his grief is dealt with too quickly, and a side plot involving Coach's health remains underdeveloped. The political machinations behind the closing of the gym and Carlos and the team's investigation veer into "after-school special" territory. VERDICT Enjoyable despite its few flaws. Perfect for middle grade fans of Mike Lupica.—Brenda Kahn, Tenakill Middle School, Closter, NJ

School Library Journal

Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins makes an excellent companion for this story about a young teen who becomes confined to a wheelchair after an accident that claims his parents. Thirteen-year-old Carlos Cooper was the star of his former basketball league, but wheelchair basketball brings a slew of new struggles. And just when Carlos begins to improve, the city condemns the league’s gym under suspicious circumstances. There’s a lot at stake for Carlos and his teammates, including their dream of competing in the state tournament. Hopkins’s unhurried pace makes the serious concepts more approachable for a young audience. He knows when to ramp up the intensity as he commentates on the games, adding energy and keeping listeners hooked. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile

Narrator Sean Patrick Hopkins makes an excellent companion for this story about a young teen who becomes confined to a wheelchair after an accident that claims his parents. Thirteen-year-old Carlos Cooper was the star of his former basketball league, but wheelchair basketball brings a slew of new struggles. And just when Carlos begins to improve, the city condemns the league’s gym under suspicious circumstances. There’s a lot at stake for Carlos and his teammates, including their dream of competing in the state tournament. Hopkins’s unhurried pace makes the serious concepts more approachable for a young audience. He knows when to ramp up the intensity as he commentates on the games, adding energy and keeping listeners hooked. A.K.R. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

APRIL 2020 - AudioFile

2019-08-26
A boy and his wheelchair-basketball team try to salvage their season in sportswriter Ostler's debut novel.

A year after losing his parents and the use of his legs in a car accident, 12-year-old Carlos Cooper reluctantly joins a wheelchair-basketball team at the encouragement of his guardians, his Mexican American maternal aunt and uncle. Formerly dubbed "Cooper the Hooper," Carlos struggles with wheelchair basketball's difficult new techniques…and with no longer being the star shooter. But soon, Carlos catches the Rollin' Rats' cooperative, competitive spirit—just as the mayor closes their run-down gym, jeopardizing their chances of reaching California's state championship. Basketball fans will particularly enjoy Carlos' play-by-play narration of challenging practices and intense games, but readers won't need sports knowledge to root for Carlos as he and fellow teammate Mia—and unexpected allies—scheme to outwit the villainous Mayor Burns. The author realistically portrays Carlos' adjustment to disability and loss, and Carlos' increasing empathy is believable and thought-provoking. Bantering text messages highlight the team's camaraderie, and Carlos' bond with his tenacious aunt and uncle adds tenderness, humor, and some (italicized) Spanish words. His teammates' disabilities range from paraplegia to limb difference; one member has autism as well as spinal bifida. Latinx Carlos is bicultural and probably biracial (his mom was Mexican and his dad was British) and has brown skin, and one teammate is black. Mia, who is white, has two moms.

A sports story that's as heartwarming as it is action-packed. (Fiction. 8-12)

Kirkus Reviews