 | Fifth quarter (Fifth Quarter) Author: Dawson, Mike | |
| Price: $10.65 | ||
Summary:
Lori Block is dedicated to her fourth-grade basketball team, despite being relegated to an extra period before the real game starts, known as the fifth quarter, where the not-so-good kids play and the points don't count. That doesn't matter to Lori though, because working on her skills gives her hints of self-confidence, which is a nice break from feeling awkward and out-of-place in her daily life. In graphic novel format.
| Accelerated Reader Information: Interest Level: MG Reading Level: 2.20 Points: 1.0 Quiz: 513372 |
Full Text Reviews:
Booklist - 06/01/2021 *Starred Review* Lori is a basketball-obsessed fourth-grader stuck in the “fifth quarter,” when bench-banished teammates get to take their shots during breaks. But her commitment is solid, and as she works her way from after-school practices to a three-day camp intensive, her skill grows even as her friendships and family life face turmoil. Uncertain with her fourth-grade buddies and eager to join up with some basketball-playing fifth graders, Lori can occasionally let her emotions get the better of her, which is made all the worse when her mother decides to run for town council. While the basketball scenes are fast, tense, and exciting, the emotional journey Lori takes is authentic and will prove accessible and extremely validating to both young readers and their grown-ups. Rather than distancing readers, Lori’s difficulty in seeing past her own social and performance-related anxieties makes her yet more relatable. Dawson’s visuals are outstanding, whip fast, and energetic for the sports action and emotive and expressive for the family and friendship moments, with bright, lively colors and figures that have the big, instantly distinct features of classic comic strip characters. With its insightful emotional balance for kids and adults and its easy narrative and visual flow, this is the rare middle-grade graphic novel that will invite read-alouds in classrooms and at home. - Copyright 2021 Booklist.
School Library Journal - 07/16/2021 Gr 4–6—Fourth grader Lori Block loves playing basketball, even if she's not particularly great at it. Her coach puts her in during the fifth quarter, an extra period before the real game starts, when developing players are given the chance to practice their skills on the court. She's determined to make the regular roster next year, and when her supportive parents help her join an after-school basketball program, she practices with other aspiring athletes. As with many kids, sportsmanship doesn't come naturally to Lori; she is excited when she wins but brokenhearted when she loses and sometimes takes out her failed hoop dream frustrations on her teammates and friends. To make matters even more complicated, her passion for basketball isn't shared by her best friend and teammate Sophia, who would rather spend recess playing unicorns with their other friends than shooting hoops with Lori. Navigating tensions among her friends and coping with the strain of her mom running for a town council seat, Lori strives to improve her ball skills—and learns a lot about perseverance and grit along the way. The illustrations have a classic "Archie" comic book feel with vibrant colors. The relatable story line has an uplifting message and a Raina Telgemeier—esque vibe, which will appeal even to readers who aren't very sporty. Lori, her family, and Sophia are white. VERDICT You won't want to pass on this one! A recommended first purchase.—Abby Bussen, Muskego P.L., WI - Copyright 2021 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission.
