Customer Reviews

Summer Ball

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am writing on behalf of my 10 year old son who has read everyone of Mr. Lupica's books...and is his #1 fan. When we picked up his newest book - the sequel to the already amazing Travel Team - my son could barely wait to read it! To say I had to literally tear the book from him so he'd sleep is not a lie. He literally finished the book in 3 days and could not wait to tell me all about it. He now bugs me to read his books - and I definitely will since my husband also is a big fan. Mr. Lupica's book speaks to all ages - everyone can relate to them - even if you are remembering from your past - or experiencing something like it right now. Keep writing - you are a master storyteller for both the young and young at heart.

Just finished Summer Ball and it exceeded my expectations. I was of the opinion that Travel Team was the best book ever written....WRONG! Summer ball grabs you at the beginning and never lets go. Mr Lupica has displayed in his artful way what freindship and loyalty is all about. You want to stand and cheer for a basketball player that anyone would pull for. This is a must read, enjoy!

I just read Summer Ball to my class, and let me tell you it was phenominal! My class was so excited to read this story every day. I started out reading a chapter a day but my class could not get enough! One day during a rainy recess my student's requested that we read the story as our activity for recess. The story is of a 13 year old boy who goes to a basketball summer camp. He has the stigma of being short, however it seems to have gone away by when he mentors a younger camper. Lupica captures the nerves of leaving home and the desire to be the best. Reading this to my homeroom has been a Slam Dunk!

I am an 12 year old boy and I have read all of Mike Lupica's books. I couldn't wait until this one came out because Travel Team was my favorite and I knew that this was another book about Danny Walker. Mr. Lupica makes you feel as though the characters are real people and people you wish you could hang with. The stories make you want to keep reading until you find out how it all works out. I loved Summer Ball and wish I hadn't read it so fast.

This sequel to Travel Team sees Danny ready to take on new challenges. As he prepares to enter his freshman year of high school, Danny goes to the prestigious "Right Way" basketball camp. While at the camp Danny has to come to grip with the fact that he will soon be playing against people much taller than him and whether or not he will be able to compete with those players. His coach at camp, doesn't think so, only confirming Danny's fears. Readers will be pleased with the ending which does not suffer from the all is suddenly better syndrome of Heat.

This book features all of Lupica's trademarks including authentic dialog & riveting sports sequences. Fans of Travel Team will enjoy reading about the new adventures of their favorite characters and like the new characters who are introduced. While the book can not replicate the all of the charm of the first novel, this is one to read for any sports fan.

The beginning made me unsure but once he got to camp (or met Tarik) I knew it would be good. I was worried that Danny would walk over everyone, but between Rasheed (at first) Lamar ( He doesn't deserve to be Named after Lamar Odom) and Coach "My Way" Powers I had plenty of people to hate (Teddy was absent because Richie told the mafia to get him). Powers was tied with Lamar and Teddy for biggest jerk in history, his quotes, (after Danny wins the game by using his own play) "You used your own play didn't you? No more secrets Mr. walker. Are you ever going to learn?" (after Danny asks to be traded to another team) " Mr. Walker let me give you to think about. Soccer. It's full of fast little guys like you." He destroys anyone with creativity and run an run mindedness (If he coached the Phoenix Suns Nash, Barbosa, Marion and Amare would be chewed out nightly and get 5 minutes of play each)

Summer Ball by Mike Lupica is a inspiration to anyone who has been turned down due to size, race, or gender. Mike Lupica uses detailed sports sequences to emphasis his Danny's obstacles. In this sequel to the New York Times best seller Travel Ball. Mike Lupica uses a variety of realistic characters to emphasis Danny's struggle.
In Summer Ball Danny Walker has more issues than just his small size. In this book overlooked Danny Walker goes to summer basketball camp where he meets some new people and some new problems. For example Danny must deal with his new coach the crazy coach Powers, he must also must deal with a younger camper just like him wanting to leave and on top of that a camp bully(Lamar) and a teammate mad at him over a past experience of Danny flopping on him.
Summer Ball is a well written book with a great story line. The obstacles Danny faces makes the triumph more inspiring. If there was a down side to this book it would be that the dad character is the same as every other Mike Lupica book (a failed athlete). Danny is a dynamic character who changes his outlook on camp thru out the book. Overall I would definitely recommend this book to anyone from 9-12 years old who has an interest in sports.
This book inspires kids and changes the way you look at everyday obstacles. In this story Danny perseveres and tackles his obstacles. This story is entertaining, yet has a deep moral to never underestimate. Also to never deny due to size, gender, or race. Also that if you persevere and work hard you can get through any obstacle.

Summer Ball is a book by Mike Lupica. It is about a boy named Danny Walker who goes to a summer sleep away basketball camp. It is run by Josh Cameron, a famous basketball star for the Boston Celtics. Danny gets assigned to a team at the camp which is coached by a mean coach. Not only is the guy flat out mean, he has it out for Danny. You see, Danny's father is a former NBA player. When Danny's father was trying to decide which college to go to, this mean coach was the coach of one of the colleges he was deciding on. But instead of choosing the mean coach worked at, Danny's dad chose another college. So the mean coach takes his anger about Danny's dad out on Danny.
During the basketball season, Danny had led his travel team to the championship. During the championship, a controversial call late in the fourth quarter went in Danny's favor, leading to the opposing team's best player, Rasheed, fouling out of the game. Danny's team ended up winning the championship. Rasheed also goes to this basketball camp, and gets put on Danny's team. The first few games of the season at the summer camp, Danny and Rasheed don't get along very well, and the mean coach rarely lets Danny play. However, eventually Danny and Rasheed develop on-the-court chemistry, and they become friends off the court.
When Danny keeps getting bullied by a kid at camp named Lamar, Rasheed keeps defending Danny. But when Danny and Rasheed's team plays Lamar's team in the camp championship, things get crazy. Will Danny and Rasheed be able to beat Lamar in the championship? You will have to read Summer Ball to find out!
The book worked very well, because Mike Lupica made the characters each have their own unique personalities. Danny is the main character who has a great personality and is optimistic about everything. Tarik, a kid Danny makes friends with at camp, is the quirky and funny one. Will is Danny's friend from back home, and he never stops talking! Ty is also one of Danny's friends from home, and he is the humble and quiet one. Tess is Danny's girlfriend who comes to the camp to take pictures of Danny's games. Rasheed is the guy who starts out mean, but then has a change in heart and becomes a friend. Lamar is the antagonist of the book.
I was dissapointed that the book ends immediately following the championship game. I wanted Mike Lupica to add Danny leaving camp to go back home and maybe a short segment about what happens when he gets back home. I thought that that would be a better ending then kind of abruptly ending it following the game.
My favorite character was Danny. He often got underestimated and got his basketball skills made fun of, and I can kind of relate to him in that sense, because this also happens to me. I think that he was the character that always did what he thought was right. I am not just saying he was my favorite character because he is the main character, but I actually think that he is the best character in the book. My second favorite character is Rasheed. I like characters who start out the enemy, but become an ally.
My favorite scene was the championship game. It was really exciting. My heart was pounding the entire time. I can't say anything more about this scene, or it will spoil the book.
There is not yet a sequel to Summer Ball. Summer Ball is the sequel to Travel Team. I hope he makes a sequel, because I loved both Travel Team and Summer Ball. They were well-written, compelling, and I liked them because they were all about basketball, my favorite sport! I give Summer Ball four out of five stars.

I am a 11 year old boy and I think this book was amazing! Since this book, was so great I am going to read,"Travel Team" next.

My 13 year old son does not like to immerse himself in books of any kind. The school he attends had an time a couple of times a week set aside where everybody in the school had to read. He hated it, but after reading this book, said he wished he had more reading time! I haven't read the book, but can't wait to do so.