Shook

Description:

A National Book Award finalist!

"A gift!" --#1 New York Times-bestselling author Jason Reynolds

Shake's dream of making the varsity basketball team is in peril when he gets injured. Can he rebound and make his way back onto the court--and back to feeling like himself? For fans of Kwame Alexander and Jason Reynolds.

Beautifully designed with illustrations.

"Masterful." --Newbery Honoree Jasmine Warga

Malik Page--though unless you're his mama, call him "Shake"--dreams of making the Marshall Grove varsity basketball squad as an eighth grader. Then he'll be on his way to joining the ranks of Chicago legends like his pops and late Uncle Kenny. But when Shake fractures his ankle in a championship game, he's sidelined for the first time since his first dribble.

As his world is turned upside down, Shake feels like there's ginger ale bubbling in his chest and sweat slicking on his palms. With a best friend who's getting more distant by the day, a growing silence between him and his dad, and varsity tryouts fast approaching, Shake will have to cross up every obstacle to find a way back onto the court--and back to being himself. Thankfully in Marshall Grove, the sky is always full of hope.

Perfect for readers who love:
● Sports Stories (though non-sports fans, you'll love this one too!)
● Short, Quick Reads
● Hopeful Depictions of Anxiety and Mental Health
● A Main Character Who Exudes Swagger
● Humor and Heart

A Read Across America selection!

"Readers, make permanent room on your shelves--and in your hearts-- for this witty and poignant novel." --National Book Award winner Elizabeth Acevedo

"Stunning. This book is powerful." --Newbery Medalist Tae Keller

"Witty, electric and profound." --National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride

Brief description: Nathan Walker is an illustrator and designer based in Austin, Texas, with over 15 years of creative experience under his belt. He runs his own studio where he brings stories to life through bold, character-driven work that's full of energy and personality. Fueled by a love of sports, competition & street art culture, Nathan brings a unique point of view to every project and focuses on creating work that feels fresh, thoughtful, & visually striking.

Review Quotes:

An Indie Next Pick!
A Read Across America Selection!

★ "Highly recommended for fans of Kwame Alexander's The Crossover." -- School Library Journal, starred review

★ "A winner." -- Booklist, starred review

"Randall tricks the heart into feeling by using sleight of language. Basketball is metaphorized, transformed from a tale of physical injury and disappointment into one that explores what it means to try to fix the fractured bits of our emotional lives, regardless of age." --#1 New York Times-bestselling author Jason Reynolds

"Absolutely vibrating with energy and heart." --Newbery Honoree Jasmine Warga

"Readers, make permanent room on your shelves--and in your hearts--for this witty and poignant novel." --National Book Award winner Elizabeth Acevedo

"Heart on the page and poetry that feels alive--this book is powerful." --Newbery Medalist Tae Keller

"Randall's verse dribbles, twists and weaves highlighting the complicated inner world of a middle-school boy with nuance and care." --National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride

★ "Vividly explores the complexities of being vulnerable and different ways of showing up in relationships." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"A stellar sports novel, but it's also a frank exploration of mental health and how talking to one another can help." --BookPage

"Confronting mental health stigma and emphasizing the value of seeking and accepting help, this astute narrative thoughtfully handles issues of identity." --Publishers Weekly

★ "Insightful . . . Randall's writing bounces with its own rhythm and rebounds." --Shelf Awareness, starred review