homeofthebraves

Home of the Braves, by David Klass ISBN: 0-374-39963-8 c2002 312 pages

Good sections to read aloud: p. 98 where Joe is discussing not breaking the “code of silence.” p. 197 where Joe finds Mouse all wrapped up because he wasn’t showing respect

Summary: Joe Brickman is a senior and the captain of his high school soccer team. The year doesn’t start out quite like he envisioned. First of all, his best friend, Kris, is enamored with the new boy in town, who also happens to be a star soccer player and his stealing Joe’s “thunder.” Even though Joe and Kris were just friends, he secretly wanted more than that. Then, to top it off, some bullies start picking on Joe’s friends, and when he tries to defend them, lots of problems start happening in school. Problems that not even the principal, teachers, or cops can control.

YA fiction--sports fiction; teen issues; soccer; high school

©Jennifer Lang-WDMS-2003