Book Synopsis
A fun, funny, and empathy-building story about underdogs who will stop at nothing to get noticed.
Jax has something to prove. After trying out for the basketball team, he and his friend Nic don’t make the final cut. Sure, Jax might be the shortest kid in the seventh grade, and Nic might not have a lot of confidence, but they’ve got skills.
Luke is the tallest kid in the seventh grade. He’s not bad at basketball, but he didn’t even try out for the team. Instead, Luke’s an aspiring actor and auditioned for the school play. Unfortunately, he didn’t get cast.
Jax and Luke decide to take matters into their own hands. They have a wacky, wild, outrageous idea, a plan that is sure to fail—unless it doesn’t.
Jax decides to form his own basketball team and challenge the challenge the school team. Luke agrees to join the team, on the condition that Jax and his friends help Luke compete in a regional drama competition.
Miley, probably the smartest kid at school, agrees to help both Jax and Luke. She’s been reading up on sports science and thinks she might have found a way for her friends to win through math. Can a team of underdogs prove to the whole school that they have what it takes to be noticed, or will it all go horribly wrong?
Book Details
- Publisher : Shadow Mountain (April 1, 2025)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 256 pages
- ISBN-10 : 1639933832
- ISBN-13 : 978-1639933839
- Reading age : 8 - 14 years
- Grade level : 3 - 8
****I received a complimentary book from publishers, publicists, NetGalley, book tours, and or authors. A review was not required and all opinions and ideas expressed are my own.****
My Review
Chad Morris and Shelly Brown have outdone themselves again with another fantastic middle-grade novel! This sports-packed story is brimming with exciting highs, challenging lows, and plenty of friendly competition.
In The Playmakers, we meet three amazing kids. First up is Jax, a shorter basketball player who's set on making the school team. When he doesn't quite make the cut, he bravely decides to start his own team to challenge the varsity squad – a super cool idea that turns out to be trickier than he expected!
Then there's Luke, a drama enthusiast who misses out on the school play. He's determined to show his drama teacher what he can do, so he enters a contest. He needs a partner, and in exchange for some help with the contest, he agrees to play center for Jax's new team!
Last but not least, we have Miley, who's a bit quiet and shy and has a tough time making friends. She knows she needs to find a group soon, or her parents might have her homeschooling with her, well, annoying cousin!
It's truly inspiring to see how each of these kids faces their challenges with so much courage and persistence. This book sends such a wonderful message to kids: never give up and always keep trying! I especially loved how The Playmakers shows that even when you put in tons of effort, winning isn't always the main goal. It's totally okay if you don't get first place, as long as you tried your best and didn't give up! I'm confident that kids, especially those between 10 and 15, will love this story. Plus, it would make a fantastic read-aloud at home or in the classroom. This entertaining and inspiring novel is an absolute must-read for summer.
****Meet Authors Chad Morris and Shelly Brown****
SHELLY BROWN went to junior high in a regular ol’ building (boring) and has never transformed into a round fuzzy animal. But she has been listening to K-pop since before BTS’s first album and feels a deep affection for well-made falafel pitas. She’s an aunt to some incredible young people, a substitute teacher, and a wannabe Kyoshi warrior.
As a married couple, Chad and Shelly both love writing books and hanging out with each other and their five kids. They’re grateful they get to spend time with students in assemblies across the nation talking about topics from kindness to writing.
~*~*~*~*Purchase The Playmakers ~*~*~*~*
HERE
Hardcover-https://a.co/d/95bpBEZ
Kindle-https://a.co/d/6AqBQNx
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