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Overview
Marcus Robinson is psyched! Tomorrow, his class is going on a field trip to a professional basketball arena to meet the one and only Jason Carter, Marcus's hero. Marcus usually ignores everything except for basketball, but this time he studies for hours to win the math contest-for the prize of being the official Jason Carter greeter! But when Jason tells Marcus some things he didn't expect to hear about professional basketball, Marcus is confused. He thought that all he'd ever need in life was basketball. Thanks to Jason, Marcus is about to learn the meaning of a real slam dunk.
Ten-year-old Marcus plans to become a professional basketball player, but when he, his twin sister, and their classmates meet a real star on a school field trip, they learn the importance of dreaming more than one career dream.
Synopsis
Marcus Robinson is psyched! Tomorrow, his class is going on a field trip to a professional basketball arena to meet the one and only Jason Carter, Marcus's hero. Marcus usually ignores everything except for basketball, but this time he studies for hours to win the math contest-for the prize of being the official Jason Carter greeter! But when Jason tells Marcus some things he didn't expect to hear about professional basketball, Marcus is confused. He thought that all he'd ever need in life was basketball. Thanks to Jason, Marcus is about to learn the meaning of a real slam dunk.
Naomi Williamson - Children's Literature
Marcus loves basketball and his class is going on a field trip where they will meet his hero, Jason Carter, a professional basketball player, and Marcus is to be the spokesman for the class. Marcus has the usual growing-up problems—a twin sister who is taller than he is, a mom and dad who make him get his hair cut before the big day (he thought it made him look taller), and having his Carter jersey shrink when he washes so he can wear it the on the field trip. More seriously, he has a problem with going to school because he does not think he will ever use what he is learning there. The purpose of the story seems to be a reminder for children that there is more in the world than sports and that even those lucky enough to make it in professional sports should have another career to fall back on. Carter talks about his job as a basketball player: the long practices, early morning runs, weight training, studying plays and opponents' games, and consequences of being late for practice. He also talks about his college degree in chemistry and how important it is for his future when he can no longer play pro ball. Children will enjoy reading this book because they all relate to heroes although they may not relate to the underlying theme of planning for their futures. It is a quick read that will probably cause more enjoyment than reflection. 2005, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 8 to 12.
Editorials
Children's Literature
Marcus loves basketball and his class is going on a field trip where they will meet his hero, Jason Carter, a professional basketball player, and Marcus is to be the spokesman for the class. Marcus has the usual growing-up problems—a twin sister who is taller than he is, a mom and dad who make him get his hair cut before the big day (he thought it made him look taller), and having his Carter jersey shrink when he washes so he can wear it the on the field trip. More seriously, he has a problem with going to school because he does not think he will ever use what he is learning there. The purpose of the story seems to be a reminder for children that there is more in the world than sports and that even those lucky enough to make it in professional sports should have another career to fall back on. Carter talks about his job as a basketball player: the long practices, early morning runs, weight training, studying plays and opponents' games, and consequences of being late for practice. He also talks about his college degree in chemistry and how important it is for his future when he can no longer play pro ball. Children will enjoy reading this book because they all relate to heroes although they may not relate to the underlying theme of planning for their futures. It is a quick read that will probably cause more enjoyment than reflection. 2005, Dial Books for Young Readers, Ages 8 to 12.—Naomi Williamson