Reviewed by Chris Frisbey, 13, Grade 8, Fairfield Middle School, Fairfield, IA

Publisher: Fearon Education Copyright: 1981

In this book, a basketball star from Middletown finds himself in trouble with the athletic director. The athletic director's name is Charlie Perkins. Charlie is the type of person that likes to make a little bit of money by gambling the illegal way. Dave Stennis is one of the main characters. Dave has every thing he could ever want except that his parents won't pay for his college unless he goes to an out of state college. I don't understand this because it would be cheaper to go to a college that was in the same state. When Charlie hears about that he pays for Dave's way into college. Then K.Z. Russell a hot shot player transfers from Valley Junior to Middletown and then the Comets are on there way to success. O'Connor is an exceptionally good writer when it comes to this book. He lets people into the real world. What I mean by this is he lets people in on the truth that the world is not just fine and dandy. The main thing that shows this is that the guy is gambling to make Dave Stennis keep the score in the basketball game down. This book reminds me of the movie "Blue Chips"; they are both about gambling in basketball worlds.

Language Arts Teacher: Virginia Broz, Fairfield, IA

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