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HOOPS
by Walter Dean Myers
Summary of the Book
Lonnie, a seventeen year old high school senior and super basketball player, wants to show his stuff to the college scouts. He and his team mates are coached by a former pro-player who sold out to the underworld, was forced to quit playing, and became an alcoholic. As Lonnie plays, he too is tempted by some heavy bettors to lose the championship game. At the same time he struggles with relationships with his mother, his girl friend, and his best friend and with his own self confidence. This is a story of a boy becoming a man amid evil, temptation, and a boy seeking an opportunity to search for a better life.
The Author
Walter Dean Myers was born in 1937 in Martinsbury, West Virginia. He holds a B.A. from Empire State College and presently lives in New Jersey. He showed an interest in reading and writing at an early age and wrote fiction regularly by age ten. He is best known for his novels for young adults about African American teenagers living in the inner city, such as Hoops. His works reflect the realities inner-city teenagers must face and describes how they cope with often hopeless circumstances. He has received numerous awards and prizes for his writing. Hoops, published in 1982, is an Edgar Allen Poe Award runner-up.
Topics
Perseverance, commitment, friendship, trust
Themes
The ability to believe in your dream and follow it, no matter what, will lead to success.
When you face difficult situations, the support of friends can help you persevere and meet the challenge.
In spite of mistakes in the past, people can turn around and make something of themselves.
Giving and accepting trust requires commitment and faith.
Literary Conventions
Characterization, first person narrative, dialogue, description
PRE-READING
Questions and Activities
With a partner, discuss the following question: What does it take to have the perseverance to follow your dream? Partners share their ideas with the
by Walter Dean Myers
Summary of the Book
Lonnie, a seventeen year old high school senior and super basketball player, wants to show his stuff to the college scouts. He and his team mates are coached by a former pro-player who sold out to the underworld, was forced to quit playing, and became an alcoholic. As Lonnie plays, he too is tempted by some heavy bettors to lose the championship game. At the same time he struggles with relationships with his mother, his girl friend, and his best friend and with his own self confidence. This is a story of a boy becoming a man amid evil, temptation, and a boy seeking an opportunity to search for a better life.
The Author
Walter Dean Myers was born in 1937 in Martinsbury, West Virginia. He holds a B.A. from Empire State College and presently lives in New Jersey. He showed an interest in reading and writing at an early age and wrote fiction regularly by age ten. He is best known for his novels for young adults about African American teenagers living in the inner city, such as Hoops. His works reflect the realities inner-city teenagers must face and describes how they cope with often hopeless circumstances. He has received numerous awards and prizes for his writing. Hoops, published in 1982, is an Edgar Allen Poe Award runner-up.
Topics
Perseverance, commitment, friendship, trust
Themes
The ability to believe in your dream and follow it, no matter what, will lead to success.
When you face difficult situations, the support of friends can help you persevere and meet the challenge.
In spite of mistakes in the past, people can turn around and make something of themselves.
Giving and accepting trust requires commitment and faith.
Literary Conventions
Characterization, first person narrative, dialogue, description
PRE-READING
Questions and Activities
With a partner, discuss the following question: What does it take to have the perseverance to follow your dream? Partners share their ideas with the