Center Court Sting (Paperback)

~ (Author), The #1 Sports Writer for Kids (Illustrator) "Daren McCall was hot..." (more)
Key Phrases: lucky towel, jump shot, Coach Michaels, Tony Tisdale, Drew Capp (more...)

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 the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9-12
  
• Paperback: 160 pages
• Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0316142050
• ISBN-13: 978-0316142052
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #35,116 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #7 in	Books > Children's Books > Authors & Illustrators, A-Z > ( C ) > Christopher, Matt
  #8 in	Books > Children's Books > Sports & Activities > Sports > Basketball > Fiction
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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

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

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 Excellent Book on Basketball for a child, June 8, 2008

By	Bowser - See all my reviews

My Grandson enjoyed this book. It is very well written and easy to read. Very nicely detailed. Thank you