Center Court Sting [Paperback]

Matt Christopher (Author), The #1 Sports Writer for Kids (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Grade Level: 3 and up

CENTER COURT STING Trash talking leads to trouble on the basketball court.... Forward Daren McCall is quick with an insult, quick to take offense, and quick to blame anyone but himself for his troubles. So when center Lou Bettman accuses him first of bad-mouthing him, then of vandalism, Daren turns the tables and insists that Lou is out to get him. The team splits into two camps, those who believe in Daren's innocence and those who take Lou's side. The fight heats up when Daren falls victim to an outrageous act. But did Lou retaliate, as Daren suspects, or is someone else trying to teach Daren a lesson?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-8-Hothead Daren McCall can't control his temper. He thinks the world is out to get him and blames his errors and failures-both on and off the basketball court-on everyone else. When his friends are barely speaking to him and the coach has threatened to bench him or kick him off the team, Daren finally realizes his problem. This is a good story with plenty of game action. It gets its lesson across without being preachy and holds readers' interest. The characters are clearly drawn and likable. Although they are probably junior-high age, and the subject matter, theme, and action, will keep older readers engaged, the reading level and simple explanations of basketball plays and defenses make the story accessible to younger children. Mark another one in the win column for Matt Christopher.
Kate Kohlbeck, Randall School, Waukesha,
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 3^-5. Daren McCall, the hot-tempered star forward of the Rangers, is blaming everyone but himself for how badly the team is playing--especially center Lou Bettman. Lately Lou's game has been off, and Daren has been taking every opportunity to point it out, usually in front of their teammates. It's not only Lou Daren finds fault with. A young neighbor who has just taken an interest in basketball, the team's towel boy, and even Lynn, Daren's best friend and teammate, fall victim to his sharp barbs. His conversion to Mr. Nice Guy, which occurs halfway through the book, is much too quick to be convincing, and the novel's outcome is predictable. What Christopher handles better is the exciting basketball play-by-play; it's edge-of-your-seat suspense that won't disappoint the author's many fans. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316142050
• ISBN-13: 978-0316142052
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 0.4 x 7.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,829 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #14 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Christopher, Matt
  • #26 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Basketball
  • #30 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Social Issues > Violence

More About the Author

Matthew F. Christopher was born on August 16, 1917, in Bath, Pa. He was the oldest of nine children and a talented athlete, playing baseball, football and soccer in high school. He became interested in writing at the age of 14 and in 1940 had his first story published in a detective magazine. He began writing children's books in the mid 1950's with the publication of THE LUCKY BASEBALL BAT (Little, Brown and Company).

Christopher became well-known for his sports fiction novels for children with over 130 titles bearing his name. He was awarded numerous writing honors from state organizations as well as the 1993 Milner Award. Besides books, he had about 275 short stories and articles published in over 65 children and adult magazines over the years. He is considered America's best selling sports book author.

Matt Christopher and his wife Cay were the parents of four children and the grandparents of ten grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He died in 1997 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Great Basketball Book, December 6, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Center Court Sting (Paperback)

Daren mcall,very nice and loves to play basketball. Heloves to help others. He helps out Gary and teaches him a little bit of how to play basketball. Daren and Lou get into a fight, but they get over it in the end.

They won their first game 52,45.Then Daren's neighbor wanted him to help Gary learn how to play basketball.Their next game was against the Blazers.They had won that game, but Daren didn't play well at all.The next game was against the Rebels.

If they lost that game they would be out of the playoffs.The RANGERS WON!!!They got to go to the tournament.

In the past,At the basketball court and Daren's home.

You shall never give up even if you are losing and if you are under pressure.You may never know if someone did something unless you ask them or you have proof.

I liked this book a lot;it kept me alive and I was never bored of the story.I wish all books were like this one!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Read, For The B-Ball Type!, January 31, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Center Court Sting (Paperback)

Matt Christopher is one of my 2 favorite authors, the other being J.K. Rowling. Center Court Sting is about a guy who has problems with his language. And as a result of it, everybody hates him. He goes through people doing pratical jokes on him and being teased. This book taught me 2 things. 1 is that people can change, and 2 is that what goes around comes around.

5.0 out of 5 stars Reliable and easy, December 22, 2011

By 

Joy - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Center Court Sting (Paperback)

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