Rivals: (A Game Changer companion novel)

by Tommy Greenwald

Overview

From the author of the award-winning Game Changer comes a gripping novel about two student-athletes searching for stardom, a young reporter searching for the truth, and a crosstown basketball rivalry that goes too far

The people of Walthorne love their basketball—and one of the things they love most is the special rivalry between the Walthorne North Middle School Cougars and the Walthorne South Middle School Panthers. As the season begins, two star players are feeling the heat: Austin Chambers, captain of Walthorne North, worries that he’s not good enough to live up to his father’s legacy, while across town, the brilliantly talented Carter Haswell, captain of Walthorne South, is already under pressure to get a scholarship that might ease his family’s financial stress.

While both boys do whatever they can to make sure their team wins, Alfie Jenks, a school sports reporter, discovers that behind-the-scenes scandals are just as much a part of youth sports as on-the-court action. When she blows the story wide open, the whole season is jeopardized.

Told through a series of flashbacks, newspaper reports, social media posts, and interviews, Rivals will have readers tearing through the pages to see what happens next—and asking themselves if winning has become more important than doing the right thing.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781419748271
Publisher:	Amulet Books
Publication date:	03/23/2021
Series:	Game Changer Series
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	222,939
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 5.60(h) x 1.30(d)
Age Range:	10 - 14 Years

About the Author

Tommy Greenwald is the author of Game Changer, Rivals, and Dinged. Game Changer is on 18 state lists, was an Amazon Best Book of the Month, a YALSA Top Ten pick, and a Junior Library Guild Premier selection. Rivals was also an Amazon Best Book of the Month, a Junior Library Guild selection, and a YALSA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers. Greenwald is the author of the Crimebiters! and Charlie Joe Jackson series, among many other books for children. Day job–wise, he is the cofounder of Spotco Advertising, a theatrical and entertainment advertising agency in New York City, and the lyricist and co-bookwriter (with Andrew Lippa) of John & Jen, an off-Broadway musical that has been produced around the country and internationally. To read woefully outdated information about him, visit tommygreenwald.com. Lesley Vamos earned a bachelor of digital media with high distinction from the University of New South Wales Art and Design, along with an honorary award in hand-drawn animation despite continuing to hold her pencil incorrectly. Vamos has been running her illustration and design business for more than a decade and is passionate about telling stories that put good into the world. She lives in Sydney with her partner, two children, and a small floofer named Penny.

Editorial Reviews

"What could be a tale of haves and have-nots swerves, instead examining the pernicious effects poor judgment, vicarious living, and outright self-interest can have on the physical and mental well-beings of student athletes."—Kirkus Reviews

"Scenes of action on the court are vivid and exciting. . .Give to fans of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander’s sports novels." —School Library Journal

From the Publisher

"No reader will leave before the final buzzer."

Bulletin of the Center for Children's Booksl

02/26/2021

Gr 5–7—The start of a new basketball season ignites old rivalries for Carter and Austin. The boys are star captains of their town's two middle school teams: Austin plays for Walthorne North, Carter for Walthorne South. The 14-year-olds, both white, once played pickup games together before increasing attention, and expectations at school and home made them wary strangers. Fueled by simmering resentment between the schools—North is wealthy, South is not—it isn't long before the rivalry between them gets out of hand. Carter's classmate and sports reporter Alfie (also white) covers the rising tensions; her character effectively embodies the media's power and influence. Told in first-person narration, texts, social media posts, and Alfie's radio interviews (similar to Greenwald's Game Changer) this is a fast-paced cautionary tale condemning adults' tendency to prioritize winning at all costs over allowing kids to simply enjoy the game. Scenes of action on the court are vivid and exciting but take a back seat to Austin and Carter's struggles to cope with the burdens placed upon them while determining their own future. Give to fans of Jason Reynolds and Kwame Alexander's sports novels. VERDICT Recommended for middle grade collections; a good choice for a community-wide reading initiative.—Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem P.L., Holbrook, NY

School Library Journal

2021-01-12
This basketball saga critically redefines “love of the game.”

In Walthorne, middle school sports revolve around the storied rivalry between the Walthorne North Middle School Cougars and the Walthorne South Middle School Panthers. North is captained by point guard Austin Chambers, whose well-off parents provide him with everything he needs to succeed—in part because his father is a Penn State basketball legend. Things aren’t so rosy for Carter Haswell, captain of South. As far as his parents are concerned, basketball is his job, as an athletic scholarship could relieve financial strife. What could be a tale of haves and have-nots swerves, instead examining the pernicious effects poor judgment, vicarious living, and outright self-interest can have on the physical and mental well-beings of student athletes. Peer relationships cause problems: Austin pressures wounded teammate Clay to play a high-stakes game, exacerbating his injury. Best intentions go awry: Alfie Jenks, a die-hard hoops fan and aspiring journalist, learns the importance of oversight, diligence, and context as her reporting sparks scandals. Egocentricity reigns: Carter’s coach encourages him to cheat in class, leading to the player’s suspension and the coach’s resignation. When misconduct brings their season screeching to a halt, North and South settle their differences without adult interference. Most characters are White; racism and socio-economic status come in for critical evaluation.

A crucial, necessary reminder: Sports should be fun! (author’s note, reading list) (Sports fiction. 10-14)

Kirkus Reviews