Rebound

by Bob Krech and Bob Krech

Book Overview

It looked like every black kid in the school was going out for the team. And then me. Pale skin, long nose, sandy brown hair, and a cowlick that won't stay down. I don't know what I expected, but it wasn't being the only white guy. Black kids play basketball. White kids wrestle. That's the way it is at Franklin High School and especially in Ray Wisniewski's neighborhood, the tight knit Polish-American town of Greenville, New Jersey. But Ray's got...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0761453199
• ISBN13: 9780761453192
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Skyscape
• Length: 271 Pages
• Weight: 1.05 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 5.9" x 8.6"
• Age Range: 12 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 7 to 12

Customer Reviews

Ahead of the Crowd!

Rebound is an intriguing book. In other words, it is not just another book about basketball. While the book spins around the game, it really is a story about prejudice in our schools, and in "the game." The author goes deep to describe the motivations of his characters. For example, from the start, the reader sees a young man making the decision to be different from what is expected from the typical Polish guy in his neighborhood. That choice cascades into multiple choices that will be made changing the lives of the characters involved. Both guys and girls will enjoy this intricate story as it forces the reader to predict outcomes of the twists in the story.

Perfect book for Teens who like sports and for those who just love a good story!

The characters in the story grow on you throughout the book. The become real and their problems become real. When the book is finished, you want more. It is excellent and for teachers who teach in the Middle School and High School your students will love this book. In the school in which I teach, the book hardly stays on the shelf. The personal story of a boy who wants disparately to be a part of a basketball team but he must overcome obstacles, one of which is prejudice. A delicate subject handled extremely well by the author.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Ray Wisniewski is growing up in the Polish-American town of Greenville, New Jersey. His game is basketball, but he is in the minority. All the black kids play basketball. Ray's supposed to be into wrestling like the white kids. Basketball - Ray lives and breathes basketball. He plays pick-up games and organized ball, whatever kind of game he can rustle up. His only disappointment is that he has never been able to make the varsity team. He tries out and plays his best, but Coach Malovic never picks him. Finally, during Ray's senior year a new coach is hired, and Ray is suddenly one of the starting five. Another surprise is the attention Ray is getting from the cutest and most popular girl in school, Stacy. He never considered even talking to her -- much less dating her -- but his luck is changing. It isn't until his first date with Stacy that Ray begins to realize that some people are bothered by the fact that he has perhaps crossed some sort of line by playing basketball instead of choosing the more "white" path of joining the wrestling team. Even Walter, his best friend, seems to be keeping his distance. Early on, REBOUND is non-stop basketball action. Bob Krech shows Ray playing constantly in an effort to make the high school team. As the book progresses, another dimension begins to appear -- prejudice. Racial tension begins to rear its ugly head between players, friends, coaches, and parents. Ray finds out that not everyone is happy with just basketball and the competition on the court. The real world and its sometimes hateful nature cast a shadow over his success. Readers who enjoy good basketball play-by-play action will be hooked at the beginning of REBOUND. Hopefully, they will connect with Ray as a person, too, and stick around to see what lurks beneath the surface of the basketball action. Reviewed by: Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"

Whirl

Heart-thumpingly terrific! Fast-paced court action, and solid, credible off-court high school experiences. Krech knows kids. A real winner!

Satisfying story of sports interactions and change.

Bob Krech's REBOUND tells of basketball dreams, a Polish boy's determination to fight prejudice to make the team, and a new coach who allows him to compete. As Ray's game improves he uncovers truths about prejudice and appearances which will change his life in this satisfying story of sports interactions and change.