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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Courtesy of Teens Read Too, January 29, 2008
Drew Lawson lives and breathes basketball. He plans to use basketball as his ticket out of Harlem, and everyone knows it. The problems start when Coach "House" Hauser changes the game plan.
The Lawson family is a bit unusual for their neighborhood. Drew is lucky to have both a mom and dad living under the same roof, and although money is a struggle, both parents work. He and his sister have been raised to value life and set high goals. News from their neighborhood only makes the paper when it is bad news. Shootings, stabbings, and robberies are the usual stories, and Drew's mother frets when those stories involve young people.
The Chargers basketball team could offer Drew a chance at a better life. He is a decent player and has his sights set on playing Division I college ball in hopes of being a future NBA player. As a star Chargers' player, it just might be possible. Unfortunately, it seems that Coach House has other plans.
It is mid-season and suddenly Coach House has brought in two new players - a couple of white players. That doesn't bother Drew and his team too much until it becomes evident that Coach plans to start these new players in positions that clearly threaten Drew's game. What is Coach trying to do? Is there a method to his madness or is Drew's future at stake?
GAME is set in Walter Dean Myers' home territory in Harlem, and is filled with his trademark characters and plenty of action. Readers hear Drew's story in between bouts of realistic play-by-play basketball scenes. Myers fans as well as basketball lovers will find this a satisfying read.
Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Good Book, February 1, 2008
This is an interesting look at the struggle of a young high schooler (Drew Lawson)growing up in Harlem. His dream is to get out of that area and go to a Division 1 college. Midway through his senior year his coach brings in two white players from Europe who start to get a lot of playing time. Drew fills that his chances are slipping away and struggles with what he should do. Will Drews dream come true, read and find out. I gave it 4 stars because some of the words used seemed kind of hokie for the boys growing up on the streets, they sounded like something from a cheesy movie. Overall a good book though would highly recomend.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Getting ahead (or a Head) in the "Game"., March 2, 2008
Walter Dean Myers is at his best when he's writing about basketball. His writing comes alive and seems to jump off of the page and pull you into the story, holding you captive until the final period. "Game" is no exception. This book follows in the tradition of "Hoops" and my personal favorite "Slam" which tap into the dreams and desires of urban youths. These stories tell the good, the bad and the ugly of the struggle for the socioeconomic liberation and upward mobility that basketball and other sports represent.
What is most incredible about Myers' writing is the play by play that puts you right on the sidelines. It's hard to contain yourself as the games grow intensify and there are times when I found myself ready to jump out of my seat. Cleary, Mr. Myers has the same love for the game that he infuses into his protagonists. In this book, however, Myers uses the "game" as an allegory. As the story unfolds, we realize that the "Game" the title refers too is life, not just basketball, and Drew, our hero, learns that being able to strategize, maneuver and score off the court is even more valuable than what he's able to do on the court.
"Game" is another example of Walter Dean Myers' commitment to empowering and enlightening our you. It also demonstrates Myers' ability to remain current and relevant. If you know of a boy with hoop dreams, or any dreams at all, introduce him to Walter Dean Myers. They'll forge a literary bond with everlasting benefits.
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