Rebound
by Bob Krech

    REBOUND by Bob Krech
    Category:  Contemporary
    Age Recommendation:  Grades 9+
    Release Date:  10/06
    Publisher:  Marshall Cavendish
    Reviewed by:  Sally Kruger, aka "Readingjunky"
    Rating:  5 Stars


    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.