From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6. Another page-turner from the author of The Kid Who Ran for President (Scholastic, 1996). Eddie Ball, 11, lives with his mother in a cramped trailer in rural Louisiana. Although he dreams of moving to a "regular house," Mrs. Ball's salary at the Finkle Foods Factory is low, and her bills are many. Eddie's best friend is his African-American next-door neighbor and classmate, the poetry-loving, basketball-playing Annie Stokely, who lives with her father. When both adults are laid off from the factory, Eddie enters one of Annie's poems in a poetry contest sponsored by Finkle Foods; the winner gets a chance to sink a foul shot during halftime at the first game of the NBA finals for a million-dollar prize. Early in the book, Eddie wins the poetry contest?but can he make the basket? Shooting lessons from Mr. Stokely improve Eddie's free-throw success rate, but someone seems to be sabotaging the practice sessions. Things become more complicated when Mr. Finkle visits Eddie, admits that his company is having financial troubles, and offers him a bribe to throw an air ball. Gutman expertly builds up suspense to the moment of the shot, milking the throw itself for several delightfully agonizing pages. The story, with occasional basketball tips well woven into the narrative, will appeal to both sports readers and general audiences. Gutman's subtle humor, exciting sports action, and excruciating suspense make this title an outstanding choice for reluctant readers.?Denise E. Agosto, Midland County Public Library, TX
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Eddie Ball lives in a trailer park in Louisiana with his widowed mother. His friend, Annie Stokely, lives there with her widowed father. Both mother and father work in the Finkle Foods factory, where most everyone in town works. A finkle is a candy delicacy, ok junk food, that was invented by a Mr. Finkle. The company needs to boost sales, so as a PR ploy, they sponsor a contest during NBA finals--sink a free throw and win a million dollars. Eddie, with the help of Annie and her father, wins the chance to make that throw. Johnny Heller is amazing in his ability to sound like an adolescent. Eddie is a character filled with juvenile anxiety and energy. Heller adroitly captures all these qualities in this wonderful satiric tale. M.T.F. © AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine--
Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
