The Rebounder [Paperback]

Thomas J. Dygard (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 10 and up

Doug Fulton, coach of the Hamilton High Panthers, is certain that transfer student Chris Patton can lead the team to a championship, but a tragic accident has made Chris decide to never play basketball again.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-9-Small-town high school basketball coach Doug Fulton needs a good center. He notices a tall, athletic-looking transfer student named Chris Patton and wonders why he's not interested in playing. Some investigation reveals that the boy was involved in an unusual accident that left an opposing player with a damaged eye. Eventually, Chris decides to suit up and the Panthers excel. However, another accident causes him to quit, and it is only after some scrabbling on the part of Fulton and the team manager that Chris is convinced that the injuries caused by his flying elbows are not his fault. At the novel's end, the Panthers seem ready to win a conference championship. This is a fairly common plot from old-fashioned boxing stories-boxer hurts man in ring, etc.-folded into a basketball setting. It's somewhat original in that it is told from the coach's perspective and not a player's. Because of this, Fulton is the only character readers get to know very well. Yet, he's certainly a nice guy and sports fans will appreciate seeing how he tries to mold his team. Although a simple story, it is well told, and readers will appreciate the straightforward plot and action.
Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Gr. 7-10. A six-feet-six-inch, athletic-looking transfer student would catch the eye of any high-school basketball coach, but when Coach Fulton invites the boy to tryouts, Chris will only say, "I'm not a basketball player." After accidentally injuring an opponent during a game the previous season, Chris quit playing basketball. And he doesn't want to talk about it. Coach Fulton offers the boy the unpressured support he needs to return to the sport he loves. Bucking the stereotype of the high-school coach who cares little about the players individually, Dygard portrays Fulton as a sensitive individual whose awareness extends far beyond the scoreboard. However, telling the story from Fulton's point of view puts readers at a distance from Chris' internal conflict, which young people might have found more absorbing than his coach's problems. Readers who look for play-by-play action in basketball books will find several convincing game scenes here. Carolyn Phelan --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Puffin (March 1, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0140377026
• ISBN-13: 978-0140377026
• Product Dimensions: 7.2 x 4.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,857,838 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars It will make you think, April 22, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Rebounder (Paperback)

The Rebounder, the book, was an interesting book and that it keeps you on your feet. After you have started to read the book and really find out what's happening then you don't want to put the book down. After you have finished the book then you really start to think if you are an athlete. I mean even if you use to be one or even if you just play for fun at the park or in the back yard. My ratings on this book listed on a scale from one to ten and ten being the greatest then I'd probably give this book a nine. Toward the end of the idea the team manager, Mickey, has an excellent idea. He helps his friend get his head back on straight. If you like sports and you like reading sport books then your gonna love this one. You're not going to want to put the book down.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great Sports Book, January 27, 2009

By 

Teacher "Middle School Student" (Colorado, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Rebounder (Paperback)

I enjoyed the book, The Rebounder, by Thomas J. Dygard because the action in the book made me want to keep reading it. Compared to other sports books, it is better because the different events that happened in it kept my attention. I am an 8th grade boy and I think other 8th grade boys would enjoy reading this book.

5.0 out of 5 stars If you don't read The Rebonder by Thomas J. Dygard I will sue you!!!, March 1, 2007

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Rebounder (Paperback)

The book The Rebounder by Thomas J. Dygard was great. It's about a basketball team called the Hamilton High Panthers. The coach, Coach Fulton, is just about to start a season when a transfer student from Indianapolis shows up at school. He's tall, slim, looks athletic, his name is Chris Patton. But, something in his past is holding him back from playing. Will Chris Patton go out for the team? If he does, will it haunt him? This book makes you feel like you're at the school or wherever it is. You definitely should read this book. You don't even have to like basketball.