Slump

Gr 8 Up—In this follow-up to Next (Cinco Puntos, 2013), basketball star D-Bow enters his sophomore year, and the dreaded slump that goes with it. Girl problems and concerns about his dad's health keep him distracted, making it difficult for him to take the leadership position that his status as starting point guard would typically demand. In the end, D-Bow makes good decisions and learns how to be a team player. While the protagonist makes typical teen mistakes, he listens to the adults in his life and learns from his errors. His relationship with his coaches is particularly well drawn. A confusing title for anyone who hasn't read the first installment, fans already engaged in D-Bow's story will find the same strong characters and fast-paced basketball action they enjoyed in the first book. Readers will be left wondering what will await D-Bow in his junior year, as he begins to be recruited by colleges. This series will be a great addition to any collection that needs more YA sports-themed books. Fans of Paul Volponi and Kwame Alexander's Crossover (Houghton Harcourt, 2014) will appreciate this series entry.—Kristin Anderson, Columbus Metropolitan Library System, OH