about the book
By the time he is thirteen and 6’1”, Drew Robinson has earned himself a stellar nickname on the basketball court. They call him “True”. The kid is an outstanding point guard, already touted as better than the best. And wherever he goes, he has cameras, sport reporters, college coaches, recruiters, his teammates, and the opposing teams watching his every move.
Now fifteen and the youngest junior at the prestigious Oakley Academy, he has moved with his professional mother from New York City to San Francisco just to advance his basketball career. Here’s the plan: one year of college, then he is eligible to play NBA, earn the big bucks, and build his mama a righteous mega home. It’s in the bag.
And then one night, a little after midnight, True heads to Morrison, a decrepit little-used court in the neighborhood, to practice his moves unwatched. To his surprise, there is someone else on the moonlight court—and this raggedy ghostly player has got amazing moves. But before True can talk to him, the guy runs off.
Though his mother tries to keep him grounded, True starts believing his own hype, his grades slip, and he starts getting into trouble. The temptation of endorsements and perks is even beginning to draw his attention away from his game.
And then he encounters the ghost again. This former washed-up urban “Legend”, Donald Sellers, has seen it all. Can he take True under his wing, teach him the consequences of fame, and help him focus on what really matters?
about the author
Born in Oneida, New York, Mike Lupica spent his childhood in Nashua, New Hampshire, playing sports and reading Hardy Boys mysteries, science adventures, and books about sports. He graduated from Boston College.
His first job was covering the New York Knicks basketball team and, at 23, he was hired by the New York Post, becoming the youngest columnist of any New York City paper. Besides being a syndicated newspaper columnist, he is a television and radio commentator and anchor. He writes magazine articles, sports biographies, autobiographies (co-authored) for Reggie Jackson and Bill Parcells, non-fiction books, and novels for both adults and children.
For young boys, Mike writes realistic sports-related stories that involve normal boys, with themes of friendship, loyalty, and never giving up. Although his characters are usually the underdogs, he never gives them more than they can handle!
Mike lives in New Canaan, Connecticut, with his wife Taylor and their three sons and a daughter. Mike spends a lot of his free time coaching kid’s soccer and basketball teams.
Sources:
Author website
Author biography : Wikipedia
Author interview : Time for Kids
Also by Mike Lupica:
QB 1. Philomel. 2013.
Play Makers (Game Changers, Book 2). Scholastic. 2013.
Hero. Philomel. 2010.
The Batboy. Philomel. 2010.
Million-Dollar Throw. Philomel. 2009.
The Big Field. Philomel. 2008.
Summer Ball. Philomel. 2007.
Miracle on 49th Street. Philomel. 2006.
Heat. Philomel. 2006.
Travel Team. Philomel. 2004.
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