Box Out by John Coy

You know the old expression "you can't judge a book by its cover?". Well, for Box Out by John Coy, the expression clearly holds true.

I picked this book up reluctantly...because it looks like it's about basketball, a sport that I've never played and don't particularly enjoy (apologies to all you basketball players and fans!). And is often the case, I found more than just a book about basketball.

Coy's book does have tons of b-ball play by play but also has enough of a plot to keep readers like me interested and driving toward the finish. Liam, the protagonist, gets promoted to Varsity as a sophomore due to an injury. He's ecstatic, his dad is ecstatic and life couldn't get any better!

Until...Liam discovers that the Varsity team has some team building practices that he doesn't agree with (mandatory prayer in the locker room) and his girlfriend dumps him long distance. It is pure fun to see how Liam copes and stands up for what's right in spite of peer pressure from the team.

Check this one out at the Houston Public Library this summer (you'll need to put it on hold and have it transferred to the library branch nearest you) or from the BMS library in August.